Q: why do you think God allows suffering and pain
Here's what others have said:
Kingsley, 22, Ghana: God allows suffering and pain because He wants us to knwo and understand the destructive effects of sin so that we would shun and avoid it. This also explains why God did not destroy the devil when he, the devil, sinned against God. They devil claims that God is wicked and always watching with keen eyes to find fault with us so that God can punish us but it is not true because the devil is a big and great liar and he himself posses those qualities he accusses God of. But I know that God is gracious, merciful, long suffering, so good, helpful,a nd just. May God richly bless all of you!
Paul, 23, Manitoba, Canada: To allow us the privilege of working with Him in relieving it? If we don't know pain how could we know a Saviour? I don't think God wants it, but he permits it in mercy to reveal the character of the devil.
Cathrine, Michigan: God allows suffering and pain because humans as a race decided to sin. God can't make decisions for us.
Teka-Ann, 24, California, USA: This is not the easiest topic to approach since we all think we know the answer until the pain and the suffering becomes our own. We live in a sinful world - born in sin and shaped in iniquity; pain and suffering is inevitable. It is a consequence, along with death and separation from loved ones, of the sinful world in which we live. However, from another angle 'why do bad things happen to good people?' Most times this is not something we can answer or even understand. Why? Because we are not God. Still, if we endeavor to see the 'lighter' or the 'brighter' side of things - the BIG picture, as I like to call it - we will realize that it is through our pain and suffering that we grow. It is in these valley experiences that we often experience God. Sad it is that this is true as we want to think we remember God when all is going is well; however the truth of situations is that we draw closer to God in pain and in suffering. Consider also that many times the pain and suffering we endure is due to our poor decision-making and poor choices. As a parent would love for his/her child to learn from their mistakes, so God, our Father, also wants us to learn from our mistakes. Therefore, He allows us to go through hardships in order to learn, and more importantly, grow. Most significantly, remember God will NEVER place more on us than we can tolerate. This is a key point to remember, especially when we are the ones experiencing the pain and suffering.
Charles, 19, Gaborone, Botswana: I think suffering and pain come, to some extent, as a result of the improper decisions we preciously made. As it is said, "A man shall reap what he sows", so God allows the consequences of our negligence of His guidance.
Kara, 16, Alberta, Canada: Keep in mind that God isn't the cause Satan is. God just allows it. As of why I think it's because god wants to test us.
Matthew, 17: I think that God is all knowing and that he knows what is best for us. Without faith it is impossible to please him. Therefore we must have faith that He knows what is best for our ultimate salvation. Trust God.
Chimuka, 22, Lusaka, Zambia: God allows suffering for several reasons. One of them could be a way of getting to know Him. God wants nothing but the best for His creation we have stubborn hearts and some can only know He is there, maybe when they go through suffering. Two as a leap into deeper spirituality, the more one suffers the more they feel Gods presence in their lives, God doesn’t sit back and rejoice while we suffer He cries and sorrows with us just as a loving parent doesn’t like the idea of spanking their loved child but because they know that with that the child will learn to do right they, with good intentions, spank the child and watch in sorrow as the child cries. God of the mountain is God of the valley He is with us always in our good and bad times. So when we suffer it should be seen as a springboard into deeper spirituality. We are on a journey to heaven and God made and redeemed us He wouldn’t allow us to suffer or be tempted beyond what we can bear...He said before He ascended 'Lo I will be with you always'. Even as His beloved Son suffered He was sorrowing with Him but because it was for the good of you and me He allowed it but was pained at what His beloved son went through. Don’t let the voices of the dark world deceive you they want many on their side on the road to destruction. Look to the light and walk with Christ every step of the way through good or bad times...for He alone holds your life in the hallow of His hand.....
Lyn, 26, Philippines: No, God doesn't allow suffering and pain... it is the result or the consequences of all the sins we have done, like neglecting the law of health for example, that's why there are sickness. God Himself did everything for us not to feel all this pains but it is our choice to constantly forget all His efforts... good thing, God never ceases to remind/show us of His great love and care for us. He already suffered and took pain for us on the cross just to be saved and have eternal happy life w/ Him! Besides, He is our Creator! He loves us!
Jillian, Barbados: When we pray, we usually ask God for patience, more faith, strength and sometimes resilience, therefore we must be tested in order to be able to exercise these qualities. Always remember the conversation between God and the Devil in relation to Job.
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