Why does God allow suffering?

Romans 8 said:

To suffer for Christ is an honor. A chance to demonstrate their faith and to grow closer to God.

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is it dishonourable to love God and not suffer? or is the capacity of our faith limited by the amount we suffer?

We may not be in constant suffering, but Jesus said if we follow him there would be trials and tribulations. A lack of trial would suggest complacency at least. If you're not experiencing hostility, then you probably arent preaching the Gospel.

quintessentialramble said:

Oh I'm not saying that our punishment is "atonement" for our sin, but rather any suffering we go through would have to be deserved on the whole due to our nature of sinfulness. I'm only merely stating that while there may be an instance that seems like undeserved punishment, such as persecution for spreading the Gospel, it actually in a way is deserved for how much we sin against God. But, this is the good news, that though we deserve eternal punishment, Jesus took away that eternal punishment

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It seems to me your example of persecution doesn't fit. We do not deserve persecution in any way. The affliction incurred on the victims of sinners are not deserved in any way. The consequences of other peoples' sin against us is not deserved by us in any way.

Jesus said "blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Those persecuted are blessed because they will receive eternal rewards for enduring it, not because they deserve it in some way.
TD

All4Christ said:

So sorry to hear that, especially about your son. I understand the frustration and fear with it. I had a strong possibility of that with Depakote - for years we couldn’t find a drug that worked well, let alone not having serious side effects. I was only on it for about 7 years though. Thankfully I was able to get on a different medicine that worked. Prayers!

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Yes, that's the medication he's on and they didn't switch it because he's had reactions to so many other meds. They've given him a hefty dose supplement that has stabilized his liver. Yet again, not knowing the potential outcome is unsettling.

Thank you for your prayers.

The Righterzpen said:

Yes, that's the medication he's on and they didn't switch it because he's had reactions to so many other meds. They've given him a hefty dose supplement that has stabilized his liver. Yet again, not knowing the potential outcome is unsettling.

Thank you for your prayers.

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I’m glad they can at least give supplements, but not knowing the final outcome is tough to handle. For me, one of the medicines that previously caused side effects ended up working together with the Depakote, and surprisingly, thank God, it eventually worked by itself (Lamictal). I’ve been on it ever since, though they are talking about adding Keppra. Unfortunately, I’ve been having some break throughs. I will keep him in my prayers.

DamianWarS said:

is it dishonourable to love God and not suffer? or is the capacity of our faith limited by the amount we suffer?

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For those who do suffer a lot, they will always tell you it is God's sustaining grace that has gotten them through it; not because they had a great amount of faith to endure a lot of suffering.

There are "Job"(s) in this world. And I personally have always been just as grateful for the things I didn't go through as I have for the gifts God has given me. I have endured a lot; but I've never been imprisoned for anything (let alone my faith). I have not been persecuted by the authorities. I was not a POW during the war. I've never had some radical Islamic group threaten to behead me, or my kid.

So yes, there's suffering and than there's "hardcore persecution" and where extreme circumstances exist; so doe extreme grace!

All4Christ said:

I’m glad they can at least give supplements, but not knowing the final outcome is tough to handle. For me, one of the medicines that previously caused side effects ended up working together with the Depakote, and surprisingly, thank God, it eventually worked by itself (Lamictal). I’ve been on it ever since, though they are talking about adding Keppra. Unfortunately, I’ve been having some break throughs. I will keep him in my prayers.

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My son got a rash from Lamictal (so can't take that) and Keppra made him very behavioral. (That's a known side effect for kids with Autism.)

I'm glad Lamictal worked for you. It worked for my son too, except if you get a rash, you have to stop taking it immediately or the next does could be fatal. He's had a lot of reactions to drugs. His system aint particularly fond of pharmaceuticals.

So yes, thanks again for your prayers.

The Righterzpen said:

My son got a rash from Lamictal (so can't take that) and Keppra made him very behavioral. (That's a known side effect for kids with Autism.)

I'm glad Lamictal worked for you. It worked for my son too, except if you get a rash, you have to stop taking it immediately or the next does could be fatal. He's had a lot of reactions to drugs. His system aint particularly fond of pharmaceuticals.

So yes, thanks again for your prayers.

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Understood. It’s definitely a delicate process, which is very unique to each person. Same thing happened with other drugs for me which is why I’m nervous about Keppra. I don’t want to change things up.

Good luck with it all; I think trusting God to be there throughout it all and praying is the best way to get through it.

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On another note, this is one reason I don’t like it when people say that I don’t have enough faith just because I’m not healed when I pray for healing. People have said that about me, about my cousin who died from cancer and others I know. We don’t always understand why things happen, but not being healed physically doesn’t mean we don’t love or trust God. We aren’t guaranteed physical healing here on earth.

Romans 8 said:

This is a popular question among non-believers and a reason why many claim there is no God. Or, why they believe in another God or religion such as Buddhism which explains this away as "karma". But as a Christian, what do you think is the reason God allows suffering?

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Romans 8 said:

This is a popular question among non-believers and a reason why many claim there is no God. Or, why they believe in another God or religion such as Buddhism which explains this away as "karma". But as a Christian, what do you think is the reason God allows suffering?

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"For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake"

Romans 8 said:

This is a popular question among non-believers and a reason why many claim there is no God. Or, why they believe in another God or religion such as Buddhism which explains this away as "karma". But as a Christian, what do you think is the reason God allows suffering?

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It's possible that God does not exist. One cannot rule that out. Faith is about believing in what is not seen according to Hebrews chapter 11. But assuming that God does exist and that God is Love and Just and Righteous and all those good things that Christians associate with God then the existence of evil despite God's goodness and omnipotence as well as omniscience is one of those mysteries for which - this side of the resurrection - we have no convincing answer. So the atheists have a case as long as Christians think that ought to have answer for every question that is asked. Always be prepared to make a defence to any one who calls you to account for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and reverence (1Peter 3:15).

Romans 8 said:

This is a popular question among non-believers and a reason why many claim there is no God. Or, why they believe in another God or religion such as Buddhism which explains this away as "karma". But as a Christian, what do you think is the reason God allows suffering?

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Why do people think that they deserve to live without suffering?

Justified112 said:

Wrong. God is very concerned. He gave His Son to die for us so that we could have eternal life.

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Are you not mistaking flesh for spirit?

DamianWarS said:

or is the capacity of our faith limited by the amount we suffer?

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Define groaning in the spirit.

Romans 8 said:

This is a popular question among non-believers and a reason why many claim there is no God. Or, why they believe in another God or religion such as Buddhism which explains this away as "karma". But as a Christian, what do you think is the reason God allows suffering?

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We are born into and live in a sinful world. The suffering will go on until the very last possible person can be saved (only God knows when that is) then the Lord will return and take all the survivors home.

2 Peter 3:9 - The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Come Lord Jesus! Amen

Romans 8 said:

This is a popular question among non-believers and a reason why many claim there is no God. Or, why they believe in another God or religion such as Buddhism which explains this away as "karma". But as a Christian, what do you think is the reason God allows suffering?

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I think suffering helps people grow. Knowing our life comes to an end helps people reach out to God.

tdidymas said:

It seems to me your example of persecution doesn't fit. We do not deserve persecution in any way. The affliction incurred on the victims of sinners are not deserved in any way. The consequences of other peoples' sin against us is not deserved by us in any way.

Jesus said "blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Those persecuted are blessed because they will receive eternal rewards for enduring it, not because they deserve it in some way.
TD

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I think you're misinterpreting what I'm saying. I am not saying we "deserve" suffering because of righteous acts, such as preaching the Gospel. I am saying, on the whole, we deserve death and punishment (which, one would assume), would lead to suffering; we deserve this as sinners; but not as children of God faithfully preaching the Gospel. What I'm trying to get at is that how can we question why we suffer when we suffer only in part. If God is just, we would all experience the wrath of God in the depths of Sheol. But God, in his mercy, saved us from that suffering. But since we live in a world where some have repented while others have not repented, there are still acts of wickedness and thus we still experience some suffering, because we still share a world with people whose hearts are heard.
What I'm REALLY getting at, is there is only one person who did not deserve suffering in any sense, and his name is Jesus.

Romans 8 said:

This is a popular question among non-believers and a reason why many claim there is no God. Or, why they believe in another God or religion such as Buddhism which explains this away as "karma". But as a Christian, what do you think is the reason God allows suffering?

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You are right that God allows, not causes, suffering. The many reasons for his permission to Satan and the demons to cause people's suffering are in his mind. However, the Bible does give us some glimpses into his thoughts. He is believers' loving heavenly Father, who gives us tender and tough love. His tough love is that he permits the evil forces to inflict us with suffering to bring out of those experiences many good results so that we can testify to his goodness and faithfulness.

This past Friday I noted 33 years of three kinds of physical pain, which came into my life at the depth of my 7 years of major depression, from which he healed me permanently 32 years ago. He took away my depression but left my joint-, muscle-, and nerve-pain. More than 20 years ago, God gave me the peace that transcends understanding of Philippians 4:6, 7. He taught me the biblical pattern of lamenting (Psalm 6, 22, 39, 88 and Lamentations 3).

Just remember two more passages, Job 1-3, 7, 10; and 2 Corinthians 12:1-10, in which the writers describe their inspired insights into God's part in suffering and some of his benefits. See also Romans 5:1-5.

Romans 8 said:

This is a popular question among non-believers and a reason why many claim there is no God. Or, why they believe in another God or religion such as Buddhism which explains this away as "karma". But as a Christian, what do you think is the reason God allows suffering?

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The only thing that I would add different with this video series is that a believer can have the fruits of the Spirit such a joy, peace, love, etc. God comforts those in times of suffering and all things work together for good to those who love God (and this is not for the unbeliever who will reject the Lord in this life). Granted, God sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous (and He desires all men to repent and He is long suffering), but God's plans of working the bad for a greater good is for the believer and not for those who reject Jesus in this life.

I also reject the idea that God does not want us to be happy. But this would not be a worldly happiness, but it would be a happiness in those things that are spiritual and eternal (Such as righteousness and doing loving and good things towards others).

Jason0047 said:

God comforts those in times of suffering and all things work together for good to those who love God

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And we are supposed to be His servants towards those in need. Can"t leave it all up to God alone to do