On my run today with Josh, we got onto the subject of God and how difficult it can be to answer questions to those who may not believe in him. We came up with the all-time favorite question, if God is almighty and loving why does he let us suffer? To someone who may have bitter feelings, suffering doesn't seem like something an "all-loving" God would do. But Josh said he had heard someone explain it once that opened his eyes (as did mine).
 |
| My niece Addyson looking out into the backyard... |
You ask an individual, "Who controls you?"... of course you do. And what about the actions and decisions you make, does anyone force you to make them? The answer is no... we choose whatever actions we make. So, to undo a killer murdering a family member would be taking away his right to free agency. The killer chose to do that, not God, and God cannot force us to choose certain things just like he cannot force us to love him. Suffering will occur because man is sinful; but we have been blessed by God to have free agency, a mind, a conscience, to do what we personally want. Many times people do not realize the ripple effects of a personal choice and how it can have a profound affect on those around them. Before pointing a finger at God and complaining "Why did you do this?!?" First look at yourself and what you have been doing. 9-11 occured at the Twin Towers because men chose to follow through with a horrofic plan. That was just an example of how it makes no sense to blame God for all wrong-doings and misfortune.
But there is another reason as to why we suffer, which is we are all sinners, and since the fall of Adam & Eve, we have faced sorrow and death (due to partaking of the forbidden fruit that gave us free agency and the ability to think). In Romans 3:23 it says "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." As Christians we need to realize suffering is part of chastising. God even states that as a father he is supposed to discipline us. In Hebrews 12:6-8:
"For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons." Just like our earthly fathers, we are grounded and lectured in order to hopefully stick to the straight and narrow path of righteousness. As a Christain, I need to realize that I am not necessarily being punished but more like reprimanded because I still falter and sin. We have a choice to make better with what comes at us and I would rather move forward with God than go alone.
