God seems distant

[Not_By_Chance]

I have suffered a lot of pain in my life, both physical and emotional (currently, I have Sciatica, Tinnitus, IBS and Migraine), but my suffering is nothing compared to some. Watching a TV documentary last night, an undercover reporter was filming in Iraq and for those who are trapped there, it must be the closest thing to Hell on earth. The majority of the buildings are in ruins; many people are homeless; those who have been fighting IS (ISIS) are now taking revenge on anyone even suspected of belonging to IS (I saw guards hitting prisoners as hard as they could across their backs with iron bars); men and boys are being separated from the females and driven off to who know where; food is scarce and children are struggling to survive in a place which is pretty cold in winter and if that weren’t enough, the various militias are now starting to turn on each other.

Move over to the Caribbean and what do we find? More death and destruction on a huge scale. More human (and animal) suffering. Similarly, in Bangladesh with floods and refugees coming from neighbouring Myanmar in their thousands, overwhelming local services.

Back closer to home, a casual friend of mine at work, who is a Christian, has been struggling to cope with his elderly mother’s dementia and the aftermath of his wife’s recent fall (and she was already in a lot of pain from needing a hip replacement). If that weren’t bad enough, my friend told me, that his 35-year-old son has now been diagnosed with terminal cancer and will not see his 9-year-old daughter grow up. He has been praying to God, but doesn’t feel that God is listening as things just seem to keep on getting worse.

The above examples are only a tiny snapshot of the suffering that is taking place right now on this planet. It’s easy to see why someone could form the opinion that either God doesn’t exist or if he does, that he doesn’t care. I believe because I look at the complexity of life and the awesomeness of the universe and it makes more sense to me that this all had to come from the mind of a being with incredible intelligence and power, far beyond our imagination. But to those who have been swayed by the constant media propaganda that vast amounts of time + chance is all that is required to produce a universe and life, the terrible suffering all around us is likely to just reinforce their belief that God is a myth. So why does God allow all this suffering?

 

[mojo487]

My prayers go out to you and all the victims of the awful things you mentioned happening in those places. One of the worst circumstances I've ever heard about is from those who have escaped from North Korea. They speak of it as a place of total brainwashing, they are allowed only to listen to government propaganda and North Korean Media (media of literally all kinds - movies, books, tv, radio, etc!). They teach all North Koreans that all Americans are evil and must die when they go to war (which they will). It's awful and I cried hearing their story. We may never know why God allows these kinds of things to happen, I only have faith that it is necessary. I like to think that those individuals NEED to undergo that kind of life in order to be able to come back to God eventually.
Edit: Oh and North Koreans are also taught that their leader, Kim Jong is a godly being.

 

[Monna]

I admire your ability to see that others have it worse than you. Paul wrote "in everything give thanks." When I have bouts of severe pain, I know it is extremely hard to be grateful. But I've learned that pain is a gift, though nobody wants it. Without it, we wouldn't know something is wrong and we wouldn't do anything about it. And my own pain also reminds me that in fact, and in comparison, I am very much more fortunate than many others in the world. The pain also reminds me that indeed there are others in the world besides little ol' me. And I share in your distress over the incredible man-made suffering that we see around us. I know from my professional work that many of the so-called "natural disasters" that inflict the world are because of, or made worse by, human mismanagement of the natural world and environment.

This Saturday I heard an encouraging bit of news. In one of those horrendously bombed out cities in Syria, there was a small group of about 20 Christians. When the bombing started they determined to help those in need to the extent they could. Today, in and amongst the rubble of the city there is now a congregation of over 200 believers - because of their faithfulness to their Lord. Whatever our perception of what is going on, it is important to remember the God is still there, and he is still working, and you and I have spiritual brothers and sisters who are making themselves available to be his eyes and ears, his hands and feet. And we also know, that no matter how distressed we might feel at the appaling things we see or read in the news, God is "hurting" even more.

I also found out that in another unexpected Asian country masses of people have turned to Christ, and many congregations have sent out missionaries to countries including, get this! North Korea and Sweden (as well as some other European countries). In spite of our perceptions, God has not forgotten the North Korean people. And if these things cause you to focus your prayers on countries experiencing conflict, catastrophe or other problems, remember Myanmar/Burma where all non-Buddhists are experiencing persecution; India, where there is more and more persecution of Christians and other non-Hundus; Jemen, where the greatest human tragedy at present, is playing itself out. There have never been so many internally displaced people and refugees globally as there are at present.

 

[Shempster]

I have suffered a lot of pain in my life, both physical and emotional (currently, I have Sciatica, Tinnitus, IBS and Migraine), but my suffering is nothing compared to some. Watching a TV documentary last night, an undercover reporter was filming in Iraq and for those who are trapped there, it must be the closest thing to Hell on earth. The majority of the buildings are in ruins; many people are homeless; those who have been fighting IS (ISIS) are now taking revenge on anyone even suspected of belonging to IS (I saw guards hitting prisoners as hard as they could across their backs with iron bars); men and boys are being separated from the females and driven off to who know where; food is scarce and children are struggling to survive in a place which is pretty cold in winter and if that weren’t enough, the various militias are now starting to turn on each other.

Move over to the Caribbean and what do we find? More death and destruction on a huge scale. More human (and animal) suffering. Similarly, in Bangladesh with floods and refugees coming from neighbouring Myanmar in their thousands, overwhelming local services.

Back closer to home, a casual friend of mine at work, who is a Christian, has been struggling to cope with his elderly mother’s dementia and the aftermath of his wife’s recent fall (and she was already in a lot of pain from needing a hip replacement). If that weren’t bad enough, my friend told me, that his 35-year-old son has now been diagnosed with terminal cancer and will not see his 9-year-old daughter grow up. He has been praying to God, but doesn’t feel that God is listening as things just seem to keep on getting worse.

The above examples are only a tiny snapshot of the suffering that is taking place right now on this planet. It’s easy to see why someone could form the opinion that either God doesn’t exist or if he does, that he doesn’t care. I believe because I look at the complexity of life and the awesomeness of the universe and it makes more sense to me that this all had to come from the mind of a being with incredible intelligence and power, far beyond our imagination. But to those who have been swayed by the constant media propaganda that vast amounts of time + chance is all that is required to produce a universe and life, the terrible suffering all around us is likely to just reinforce their belief that God is a myth. So why does God allow all this suffering?

I believe suffering comes directly from the evil one.
I also think its purpose is to give us a taste of the effects of evil so we have something as a contrast to God's love. Suffering is part of life, but I am one that sees suffering as an individual case-by-case experience. Some suffer more than others, that is a fact. Some live in luxury most of their lives and suddenly experience untold suffering.Some are born into it and only escape at death.
The history of the world can be reduced to "_____nation conquered _____ nation. Do you know what that means? It means one nation decides they want their neighbors land and resources, so they just invade their land, kill everyone and steal their stuff. This has happened over and over all through history. The British kingdom is likely responsible for the deaths of over 150 million people. Think about that a minute.

Enduring suffering should humble people and show them the value of love and respect. It should drive them to seek God and it often does.

 

[paul1149]

The above examples are only a tiny snapshot of the suffering that is taking place right now on this planet. It’s easy to see why someone could form the opinion that either God doesn’t exist or if he does, that he doesn’t care.

The world is incredibly bad and getting worse. And it was predicted it would be so.

When man broke covenant with God, God was under absolutely no obligation to stick around. He could have simply cut Adam loose and walked away. But He didn't do that. Instead, He prophesied that a solution to the problem of evil would someday come. God is committed to His Creation plan, even to the point of being willing to have His Son die on a cross to bring it to fruition. That's how much He cares.

Since that day He has allowed man to go his own way, making his own decisions. But He has worked sublimely behind the scenes, proving His mercy and faithfulness repeatedly, never violating the will of man, but still guiding history toward His immutable goal, the establishment of His kingdom.

Simply put, anything good we have in this fallen world is, quite literally, a godsend. As Adam's progeny, we deserve nothing. One day "He who restrains" will be removed (2Thess 2), and then all hell is going to break loose on earth, as it could have right in the Garden, but for God's faithful love. It will not be pretty and no one should want to be here. But this is not that day, quite yet.

In the meantime, Jesus has left the church, His body, on the earth to pray and act to destroy the works of the devil. We do a lot of good, but I think we could be doing a lot more.

 

[SkyWriting]

So why does God allow all this suffering?

Your nervous system is wired for you to sense things.
There is no separate system for pain.
Your mind decides how to classify the signals.
The same goes for thoughts.
Praise God.

 

[SkyWriting]

So why does God allow all this suffering?

Because floating on fluffy clouds all day with no discomfort makes one lazy.

 

[tdidymas]

I have suffered a lot of pain in my life, both physical and emotional (currently, I have Sciatica, Tinnitus, IBS and Migraine), but my suffering is nothing compared to some. Watching a TV documentary last night, an undercover reporter was filming in Iraq and for those who are trapped there, it must be the closest thing to Hell on earth. The majority of the buildings are in ruins; many people are homeless; those who have been fighting IS (ISIS) are now taking revenge on anyone even suspected of belonging to IS (I saw guards hitting prisoners as hard as they could across their backs with iron bars); men and boys are being separated from the females and driven off to who know where; food is scarce and children are struggling to survive in a place which is pretty cold in winter and if that weren’t enough, the various militias are now starting to turn on each other.

Move over to the Caribbean and what do we find? More death and destruction on a huge scale. More human (and animal) suffering. Similarly, in Bangladesh with floods and refugees coming from neighbouring Myanmar in their thousands, overwhelming local services.

Back closer to home, a casual friend of mine at work, who is a Christian, has been struggling to cope with his elderly mother’s dementia and the aftermath of his wife’s recent fall (and she was already in a lot of pain from needing a hip replacement). If that weren’t bad enough, my friend told me, that his 35-year-old son has now been diagnosed with terminal cancer and will not see his 9-year-old daughter grow up. He has been praying to God, but doesn’t feel that God is listening as things just seem to keep on getting worse.

The above examples are only a tiny snapshot of the suffering that is taking place right now on this planet. It’s easy to see why someone could form the opinion that either God doesn’t exist or if he does, that he doesn’t care. I believe because I look at the complexity of life and the awesomeness of the universe and it makes more sense to me that this all had to come from the mind of a being with incredible intelligence and power, far beyond our imagination. But to those who have been swayed by the constant media propaganda that vast amounts of time + chance is all that is required to produce a universe and life, the terrible suffering all around us is likely to just reinforce their belief that God is a myth. So why does God allow all this suffering?

To answer your question, I have a Bible quote, as I think it explains it:
Rom. 8:18-25:

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

Our duty in this is to present ourselves to the world as children of God, who continue to live here as strangers and aliens, but full of faith in Christ and love toward others. We're citizens of a better place, and we're eagerly waiting for it. In the meantime, we use the sufferings of this world as a means to loving our neighbor.
TD

 

[brinny]

The world is incredibly bad and getting worse. And it was predicted it would be so.

When man broke covenant with God, God was under absolutely no obligation to stick around. He could have simply cut Adam loose and walked away. But He didn't do that. Instead, He prophesied that a solution to the problem of evil would someday come. God is committed to His Creation plan, even to the point of being willing to have His Son die on a cross to bring it to fruition. That's how much He cares.

Since that day He has allowed man to go his own way, making his own decisions. But He has worked sublimely behind the scenes, proving His mercy and faithfulness repeatedly, never violating the will of man, but still guiding history toward His immutable goal, the establishment of His kingdom.

Simply put, anything good we have in this fallen world is, quite literally, a godsend. As Adam's progeny, we deserve nothing. One day "He who restrains" will be removed (2Thess 2), and then all hell is going to break loose on earth, as it could have right in the Garden, but for God's faithful love. It will not be pretty and no one should want to be here. But this is not that day, quite yet.

In the meantime, Jesus has left the church, His body, on the earth to pray and act to destroy the works of the devil. We do a lot of good, but I think we could be doing a lot more.

We do a lot of good, but I think we could be doing a lot more.

i agree, including praying.