Why does God allow suffering?

Romans 8

Well-Known Member
Supporter
Feb 16, 2019
1,410
1,151
Canada
✟114,753.00
Country
Canada
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
No . be careful .t.this sin of Jobs councilors was that they charged God with doing evil. God does not do evil.
The devil is only evil and mankind does evil.

That God planned for suffering does not mean He created it. I'm inferring that He had foreknowledge and accounted for it before the creation of the world by sending His son.
 
Upvote 0

Alithis

Disciple of Jesus .
Nov 11, 2010
15,750
2,180
Mobile
✟94,492.00
Country
New Zealand
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
That God planned for suffering does not mean He created it. I'm inferring that He had foreknowledge and accounted for it before the creation of the world by sending His son.
Sure ok.
GOD always works good into every situation he cant be anything other then Good.
 
  • Agree
Reactions: Romans 8
Upvote 0

Romans 8

Well-Known Member
Supporter
Feb 16, 2019
1,410
1,151
Canada
✟114,753.00
Country
Canada
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
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.

Bruce, you nailed it. I was going to create another thread based on the theme of Satan and his angels because they are a major part of human suffering. God makes things good from bad and Satan's influence on humans shows the bigger picture of what he's done with Lucifer's rebellion.

I did not have time to read through the scripture you posted until this evening after work, but what's funny is that I was contemplating this verse before work this morning while having breakfast: "For when I am weak then I am strong" 2Cor 12:9-10 which you also posted. I also have Romans 5:1-5 included in my scripture meditation for developing faith. I was not familiar with the other verses and I thank you for posting them. They definitely relate.

I love to hear testimonies of what our awesome God has done for His children. I will be sure to post mine, as I'm a new Christian and so He has much work to do in me, as many in the forum already know ;) God Bless!
 
Upvote 0

tdidymas

Newbie
Aug 28, 2014
2,298
977
Houston, TX
✟153,947.00
Faith
Baptist
Marital Status
Single
Politics
US-Republican
I think a relationship involves giving and receiving. God is capable of feeling wrath and grief.
I do not believe God is impassible, if that is what you're thinking. Our relationship with God is not the same as relationship between people. A major part of relationship between people is trust, and trust is a form of embracing the unknown. But since God is omniscient (Heb. 4:13), He doesn't have any need to trust anyone, although we have to trust Him. So there is a fundamental difference in relationship with God vs. other people. Among people, giving and receiving is needed both ways. But with God, we only need to give and receive, God doesn't, as he only gives. I'm saying what we give to God really benefits us, not Him.

The closest thing we have to affecting God is the expression of faith that pleases God. But God being pleased doesn't mean He is actually receiving something from us, as if He didn't already have it. The very faith that pleases God is a gift from Him, so even in that He is giving. He is pleased because it is His work which is very good, and the only good. Apart from Him we are nothing, and can do nothing. In effect, God is pleased with His own work. This is how I read Rev. 4:11.
TD:)
 
Upvote 0

DamianWarS

Follower of Isa Al Masih
Supporter
May 15, 2008
9,486
3,322
✟858,457.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Private
But what do you mean by this? I believe I know what Paul means by it, but what do you mean? Are you trying to say that you disagree that the display of God's glory is for our benefit? What is your point?
TD:)
Any sort of activity should be done for God's glory, if it does not it points to the glory of something else. "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."
 
  • Friendly
Reactions: tdidymas
Upvote 0

PanDeVida

Well-Known Member
Feb 21, 2007
878
339
✟42,102.00
Faith
Catholic
Marital Status
Married
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?

Romans 8, That you may pick-up your cross/suffering and follow Him, to suffer like Christ.

St. Paul understands that the suffering he endures serves as a way to be like Christ, as well as it being for Christ’s sake. (Philippians 3:8-11) Paul says: “Indeed I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as refuse, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own, based on law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God depends on faith; that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his suffering, becoming like him in his death, that if possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.”

Suffering is a participation in the mystery of Christ and is the way Paul can become like Christ. Suffering is his way of “becoming like him (Christ) in his death” so that he “may attain the resurrection from the dead” (Philippians 3:10-11). Through his suffering, Paul sees himself as participating in the Passion of Christ. Because we are being saved through the death and resurrection of Christ we must participate in his Passion to obtain salvation.
 
Upvote 0

DennisTate

Newbie
Supporter
Mar 31, 2012
10,742
1,664
Nova Scotia, Canada
Visit site
✟379,864.00
Country
Canada
Faith
Messianic
Marital Status
Married
Politics
CA-Conservatives
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?


Basically..... our exercising our freedom of choice produces some suffering.... and some joys as well.

Howard Storm's Near-Death Experience

I said, "You can help them. If you make me go back there are things that just won't work. If I go back there and make mistakes I won't be able to stand it because you've shown me I could be more loving and more compassionate and I'll forget. I'll be mean to someone or I'll do something awful to someone. I just know it's going to happen because I'm a human being. I'm going to blow it and I won't be able to stand it. I'll feel so bad I'll want to kill myself and I can't do that because life is precious. I might just go catatonic. So you can't send me back."

They assured me that mistakes are an acceptable part of being human. "Go," they said, "and make all the mistakes you want. Mistakes are how you learn." As long as I tried to do what I knew was right, they said, I would be on the right path. If I made a mistake, I should fully recognize it as a mistake, then put it behind me and simply try not to make the same mistake again. The important things is to try one's best, keep one's standards of goodness and truth, and not compromise those to win people's approval.

"But," I said, "mistakes make me feel bad."

They said, "We love you the way you are, mistakes and all. And you can feel our forgiveness. You can feel our love any time you want to."
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

rjs330

Well-Known Member
CF Ambassadors
May 22, 2015
22,257
5,975
64
✟333,152.00
Faith
Pentecostal
God is the God of rightness, not niceness. If you kick a curb, your foot will hurt because God designed it that way so you will avoid kicking things.

"Suffering" can mean a lot of things, but none of them can be blamed on God.

I see your point, but I kind of disagree. We know that Adam and Eve sinned and suffering became a way of life for all of us because of it. However, it was God that actually created the curse. In Genesis 3:16-19 gives us the information on that. God created the curse. Deuteronomy 11 lays out blessings and curses given by God for those that are obedient or disobedient to him. No, God does not cause people to suffer because He is mean. There are absolute reasons for God's decision to judge mankind and bring suffering into the world. It absolutely is our own fault that God brought suffering forth. But He DID do it. He authored it. Suffering would not have happened had mankind not sinned. God would have blessed all just has he did before sin entered into the world. Blessing and cursing comes from God. Now he doesn't cause every individual case of suffering. He doesn't sit in heaven handing out suffering to each person individually. At least not in every case. He has already set in motion the curse. And the curse is just playing out in this world. So, in that sense it can be blamed on God. Now not ALL suffering is from the curse. Much suffering is human caused by our own black hearts. A murderer or rapist causes suffering because of his wickedness. A terrorist causes suffering because of his evil heart. Nations war against nation causing suffering because one nation decides to kill another for land or power. Evil governments enslave or starve their people. So, while God has cursed this world, mankind authors his own curses as well.
 
Upvote 0

Unnamed Guy

Active Member
Nov 27, 2018
112
46
124
Los Algodones, CA
✟20,674.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Divorced
I see your point, but I kind of disagree. We know that Adam and Eve sinned and suffering became a way of life for all of us because of it. However, it was God that actually created the curse. In Genesis 3:16-19 gives us the information on that. God created the curse. Deuteronomy 11 lays out blessings and curses given by God for those that are obedient or disobedient to him. No, God does not cause people to suffer because He is mean. There are absolute reasons for God's decision to judge mankind and bring suffering into the world. It absolutely is our own fault that God brought suffering forth. But He DID do it. He authored it. Suffering would not have happened had mankind not sinned. God would have blessed all just has he did before sin entered into the world. Blessing and cursing comes from God. Now he doesn't cause every individual case of suffering. He doesn't sit in heaven handing out suffering to each person individually. At least not in every case. He has already set in motion the curse. And the curse is just playing out in this world. So, in that sense it can be blamed on God. Now not ALL suffering is from the curse. Much suffering is human caused by our own black hearts. A murderer or rapist causes suffering because of his wickedness. A terrorist causes suffering because of his evil heart. Nations war against nation causing suffering because one nation decides to kill another for land or power. Evil governments enslave or starve their people. So, while God has cursed this world, mankind authors his own curses as well.

In Genesis 3:16-19 God pronounces the consequences of disobedience. There is a verb tense in Hebrew that is only loosely translatable into English. It is always translated "I will do" but actually means more like "I will be forced to allow." After all, God is the God of rightness, and if you disobey His commands then you get whatever consequences are right, even if they, the consequences, cause misery. Very few people understand that the first time they hear it because they picture God as a crabby old man who lives in the sky and smites people. God is love. Suffering comes from someplace else.

Smite.jpg
 
Upvote 0

FireDragon76

Well-Known Member
Supporter
Apr 30, 2013
30,474
18,454
Orlando, Florida
✟1,249,090.00
Country
United States
Faith
United Ch. of Christ
Marital Status
Legal Union (Other)
Politics
US-Democrat
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?

My church tends to say suffering is a mystery that is sanctified by Christ's Passion. We should help carry each others crosses just as Simon helped Jesus, and look forward to the world to come, where there will be no suffering or sorrow.
 
Upvote 0

timothyu

Well-Known Member
Dec 31, 2018
22,437
8,394
up there
✟303,756.00
Country
Canada
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Private
How does that lead people to refrain from supporting those who oppress? What did the pastors teach the slaves about their condition? Not about loving neighbour as self or they would have had to set them free. More likely they were taught to look forward to the world to come.
 
  • Informative
Reactions: ChicanaRose
Upvote 0

rjs330

Well-Known Member
CF Ambassadors
May 22, 2015
22,257
5,975
64
✟333,152.00
Faith
Pentecostal
In Genesis 3:16-19 God pronounces the consequences of disobedience. There is a verb tense in Hebrew that is only loosely translatable into English. It is always translated "I will do" but actually means more like "I will be forced to allow." After all, God is the God of rightness, and if you disobey His commands then you get whatever consequences are right, even if they, the consequences, cause misery. Very few people understand that the first time they hear it because they picture God as a crabby old man who lives in the sky and smites people. God is love. Suffering comes from someplace else.

View attachment 253861

God himself states he causes calamity and suffering. I don't have a problem with that. God is love and he is just. A mistake is made when we try and say God has to have the same understanding as we have. Remember his ways are not ours. There are plenty of examples in the OT of God caused suffering.
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

rjs330

Well-Known Member
CF Ambassadors
May 22, 2015
22,257
5,975
64
✟333,152.00
Faith
Pentecostal
I don't want anyone here to think I am saying God causes all suffering. Satan attacks us and causes suffering. Take a look at Job. We cause our own suffering as well by our sinful acts. However, God also causes suffering. He is the one that set suffering in motion when he pronounced the curse on Adam and Eve. When he caused the curse on the world everything started to die and along with that came much of the suffering we have today such as illnesses and birth defects etc. They all stem from the curse God pronounced. I don't believe God specifically causes every single act of illness, blindness or what have you. He just set that stuff in motion way back then. If you also read in Deuteronomy God says he kills and blinds and makes lame. So he does accept some responsibility for those things. His ways are not ours. His thoughts are not ours.
 
Upvote 0

yeshuaslavejeff

simple truth, martyr, disciple of Yahshua
Jan 6, 2005
39,944
11,098
okie
✟214,996.00
Faith
Anabaptist
I never understood this either but there's lots of info in here that makes sense
The book of Hebrews in the New Testament makes it clear for some people,

as God explains clearly why He scourges His children, and why to rejoice in our suffering.
 
Upvote 0

Neogaia777

Old Soul
Supporter
Oct 10, 2011
23,277
5,237
45
Oregon
✟952,487.00
Country
United States
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Celibate
Sure ok.
GOD always works good into every situation he cant be anything other then Good.
God works (out) (for the good) all that He did for His own Glory...

And are you (oh man, or men) going to be the judge(s) of Him for that...?

To reveal Himself fully to us and show us all, all of Him and who He really is, ect... (and that would be: "God")... Sets out to prove and show that to us, (though also through the world and others or other things, or using those things) (also), but, also, even in and through our personal experiences in life, and what goes on internally with us from within...

To use all that is, (all of everything He created and made) (including you and life itself), for His own Glory and to show and reveal Himself to us, and prove both who and what He is... Which He does very very effectively...

But He does use what He created, or made, or caused, or "allowed" to go on and happen, to do that though...

God works (out) (for the good) all that He did (does) for His own Glory, for that is (also) (a) part of His Glory (as well)...

For which some might judge or try to judge Him, but not me...

May think that it is not a right thing, or very good thing to do maybe, but I don't and am not one of them...

Cause/and/what for...? For giving us "life", or for making us, or what...?

For giving us the ability to "choose" maybe, (supposedly) or what...?

God Bless!
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0

SkyWriting

The Librarian
Supporter
Jan 10, 2010
37,279
8,499
Milwaukee
✟410,918.00
Country
United States
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Others
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?
No suffering means you'd stay alone inside your mothers womb and be fed though a tube.
People who complain about pain have not considered the alternative.
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

Ayenew

Active Member
Mar 2, 2019
84
50
36
Addis Ababa
✟35,266.00
Country
Ethiopia
Faith
Oriental Orthodox
Marital Status
Single
It's God's way of purification. And only the pure in heart will see Him. So, we will see Him and His works through suffering.

And it's also a Christian order as in 2 Timothy 4 "But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry."
 
Upvote 0