Biblical Answer

The Problem of Suffering: Why Did God Take My Loved One from Me?

When faced with the loss of a loved one, it's natural to question God's intentions and wonder why He took them from us. This question can be particularly challenging when we feel that our loved one was taken away too soon or that they were someone who deserved to be saved. In our search for answers, we may look to the Bible for guidance. The doctrine of election tells us that we are saved because God in eternity past decided to set His love on us. But why did He decide to set His love on us? The answer is not because we were deserving or because we did something to earn it, but because of God's great love for us. He loves us enough to act on our behalf, even when we don't deserve it.

This understanding of God's love and sovereignty can help us navigate the question of why He took our loved one from us. Instead of assuming that God is making us jump through hoops or that He is on a divine ego trip, we can see that He is the One Who suffered for us. He did this so that we could live, and He doesn't ask us to believe because it's useful or our duty, but because He loves us. When we feel that God is distant or uncaring, we can reframe our question to ask why He allowed us to experience suffering in the first place. The answer lies in our own sin and rebellion against God, which separates us from Him and leads to suffering. However, God can use even our suffering to draw us closer to Him and to deliver us from the strong enemy of sin and death.

In the midst of suffering, it's essential to remember that God loves us too. He made us because He loves us and wants us to be with Him forever in heaven. We are His family here on earth, and He feels sad when we suffer. While we may not have all the answers, we can trust that God is working all things together for our good, even in the midst of suffering. As the Psalmist writes, "He sent from above, He took me; He drew me out of many waters. He delivered me from my strong enemy, from those who hated me, for they were too strong for me" (Psalm 91:14). Even in the midst of loss and suffering, we can find hope in God's love and sovereignty. By trusting in His goodness and love, we can begin to see that our suffering is not in vain, but rather an opportunity for God to work in our lives and draw us closer to Himself.