Why does God allow so much suffering?

[Markusss]

I am really struggling to answer this question. It can't be just be about free will. Natural disasters, accidents and diseases are the cause of many deaths each day. Dying without having a choice sounds like the opposite of free will to me.

 

[Hammster]

“For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4:17-18‬ ‭ESV‬‬

 

[CrystalDragon]

“For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4:17-18‬ ‭ESV‬‬

I don't think that's a good enough answer. We don't know for absolute certain what happens when we die. And if hell exists then that's eternal punishment, not glory. And the way heaven is often portrayed makes it seem like we lose who we are and just want to worship God.

 

[CrystalDragon]

I am really struggling to answer this question. It can't be just be about free will. Natural disasters, accidents and diseases are the cause of many deaths each day. Dying without having a choice sounds like the opposite of free will to me.

Stuff just happens. Life doesn't seem to favor anyone. Good and bad things happen to everyone, good or bad. It's just life.

 

[Hammster]

I don't think that's a good enough answer. We don't know for absolute certain what happens when we die. And if hell exists then that's eternal punishment, not glory. And the way heaven is often portrayed makes it seem like we lose who we are and just want to worship God.

No way!!! Eternity worshipping God? How horrible!!!

Now, maybe we can have an actual Christ-centered conversation.

 

[CrystalDragon]

No way!!! Eternity worshipping God? How horrible!!!

Now, maybe we can have an actual Christ-centered conversation.

What I mean is, no one ever specifies what such worship actually entails. It's all vague whenever I hear it talked about.

 

[Hammster]

What I mean is, no one ever specifies what such worship actually entails. It's all vague whenever I hear it talked about.

So? It's still worshipping.

 

[miamited]

I am really struggling to answer this question. It can't be just be about free will. Natural disasters, accidents and diseases are the cause of many deaths each day. Dying without having a choice sounds like the opposite of free will to me.

Hi markuss,

Ok, let's play this out. What should God do?

God bless you,
In Christ, ted

 

[Presbyterian Continuist]

I am really struggling to answer this question. It can't be just be about free will. Natural disasters, accidents and diseases are the cause of many deaths each day. Dying without having a choice sounds like the opposite of free will to me.

It goes along with the scripture: "It rains on the just and the unjust". Negative events happen unfortunately; but it is what we do about it that is important.

 

[jimmyjimmy]

I am really struggling to answer this question. It can't be just be about free will. Natural disasters, accidents and diseases are the cause of many deaths each day. Dying without having a choice sounds like the opposite of free will to me.

Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” (James 4:13-15)

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. (Matthew 10:29)

Control is in God's hands, my friend.

 

[jimmyjimmy]

I don't think that's a good enough answer. We don't know for absolute certain what happens when we die. And if hell exists then that's eternal punishment, not glory. And the way heaven is often portrayed makes it seem like we lose who we are and just want to worship God.

The worship of God is what makes us who we are. It does not detract from our personhood. It actually gives us identity. We are but mirrors - mirrors which reflect what we worship, and mirrors are not the source of light, but only the refection of it. In other words, we are nothing unless focused on Christ. Unless we are turned toward Him, we are in utter darkness.

Satan's lie was/is that God is a taker. He wants to make us believe that death to self-determination is death of self. Christ, however, tells us the opposite. "For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." (Matthew 16:25)

If you don't enjoy worshipping Christ, maybe you should spend Sunday mornings on the golf course. . .

 

[RDKirk]

Stuff just happens. Life doesn't seem to favor anyone. Good and bad things happen to everyone, good or bad. It's just life.

That's true enough--Jesus himself said so explicitly.

But it doesn't answer the OP question.

 

[Viren]

When is dying ever a choice?

 

[RDKirk]

I am really struggling to answer this question. It can't be just be about free will. Natural disasters, accidents and diseases are the cause of many deaths each day. Dying without having a choice sounds like the opposite of free will to me.

Your question appears to presume that this life ought to be inherently happy.

You've read the story of the Prodigal Son, I'm sure. We get to the point that the young man finds himself broke and alone, sharing a wallow with hogs, wishing he could eat some of the slop the hogs were getting, and bewailing his situation.

But if his father were there at that moment, his father might think, "What did the boy expect was going to happen, having left the place where he had a name, a fortune, and those who truly loved him?" Why should the young man have thought that life away from his father's mansion would be inherently happy?

But when the young man came to himself and saw how far he'd fallen, then he realized what he'd walked away from. It took, however, falling to that low point for him to come to that realization. That's what it took. And his father knew that, which is why his father did not stop him from leaving.

 

[RDKirk]

When is dying ever a choice?

When the governor says, "All you have to do is make one little sacrifice to the dead Caesars, and I'll let you go free and live your life. But if you refuse to make a sacrifice to the dead Caesars, I must execute you."

 

[Viren]

When the governor says, "All you have to do is make one little sacrifice to the dead Caesars, and I'll let you go free and live your life. But if you refuse to make a sacrifice to the dead Caesars, I must execute you."

Even if you choose to go free and live life you still end up dying. It's kind of like being born. No one really had a choice in that either.

 

[RDKirk]

Even if you choose to go free and live life you still end up dying. It's kind of like being born. No one really had a choice in that either.

But you asked "when."

Everyone comes to a time that death is not his choice, but up until the time that death is not by choice, there can be a "when" that death is by choice.

 

[SkyWriting]

I am really struggling to answer this question. It can't be just be about free will. Natural disasters, accidents and diseases are the cause of many deaths each day. Dying without having a choice sounds like the opposite of free will to me.

I'm confused as to which which you prefer,
life or death or neither? You seem to have
chosen Hell already.

P.S. Welcome, New Member from Germany with a moral dilemma story.

 

[Hall]

If suffering didn't exist it would be like living in heaven, but this isn't heaven it's a fallen world and "most" suffering is caused by the devil and his minions, not God. But us Christians have a way to get through these sufferings, by having a relationship with Jesus who eases our way through life through Him.

 

[CrystalDragon]

If suffering didn't exist it would be like living in heaven, but this isn't heaven it's a fallen world and "most" suffering is caused by the devil and his minions, not God. But us Christians have a way to get through these sufferings, by having a relationship with Jesus who eases our way through life through Him.

How do you know suffering is caused by the devil? Suffering seems to be primarily caused by either human greed or nature. Things just happen.