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Your Question:
Why does God allow us to suffer so much?
Answer:
The question of why God allows us to suffer is one that has puzzled many of us. As a pastor, I've had to grapple with this very issue, and I've come to realize that it's not that God causes suffering, but rather, He allows it so that it can be turned to our good. This is a mystery that's hard to understand, but it's a mystery that Scripture sheds light on. You see, suffering can be a catalyst for us to seek God and to trust in His sovereignty. It forces us to confront our own limitations and to recognize that we don't have all the answers. As the Bible says, "When it comes, run fast!" to Scripture, because it has given comfort to millions and has spawned hundreds of wonderful books that highlight God's gentle care and probing insights. When we're faced with suffering, we can be assured that God is gracious and loving enough to make it count, even if we don't understand why it's happening. The cross of Christ is a powerful reminder of God's love and suffering. Jesus voluntarily underwent incomprehensible suffering for us, and that should give us pause when we're tempted to question God's motives. When we're faced with suffering that seems unmerited, pointless, and unnecessary, meditation on the cross of Christ can help us to see that even in our pain, God is working something good. As the Bible says, "God really does use our suffering for our good, and He will use our suffering for our good."
Sources:
depression
edward welch
raising passionate jesus followers
phil diane comer
warranted christian belief
alvin plantinga
on guard
william lane craig
jesus on trial
david limbaugh
systematic theology
wayne grudem
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