Spiritual guidance powered by AI and grounded in Scripture
Your Question:
Why does God allow us to suffer when we're trying to follow Him?
Answer:
My friend, I've grappled with this question for a long time, especially in my role as a pastor. It's natural to wonder why God allows us to suffer when we're trying to follow Him. But as I've come to understand, it's not that God is distant or disinterested. Rather, He uses suffering to make us see our own inadequacy and to drive us to cling to Him more closely. Scripture offers great comfort and insights on this matter. It reminds us that God doesn't cause suffering, but He uses it for our good. He allows us to suffer so that we may gain greater ability to trust Him and resist sin in the challenging path of obedience. This is evident in the life of Jesus, who learned obedience through suffering and was made perfect through it. In my own life, I've seen this truth play out. When my family and I face difficult times, I've come to trust that God is using those experiences to draw us closer to Him. It's not always easy to understand why He allows certain things to happen, but I've learned to trust in His goodness and sovereignty. As the Bible says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28).
Sources:
depression
edward welch
warranted christian belief
alvin plantinga
jesus on trial
david limbaugh
god
j i packer knowing
systematic theology
wayne grudem
raising passionate jesus followers
phil diane comer
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