“Why Does God Allow Suffering”

“Why Does God Allow Suffering”

Why Does God Allow Suffering? The world is crazy right now with gun violence, discrimination, racism, judgement, over sexualization of kids, religious persecution and so much more.  People are suffering and it seems like everyone is pointing the finger and blaming each other or even worse, blaming God.  If God is all knowing, all powerful and a God of love, then why does God allow suffering? On this episode of Gratitude:UnFiltered, we discuss this and I also provide a few reasons why God allows for suffering.. 

Repentance: Suffering is a call for us and others to turn from treasuring anything on earth above God. Luke 13:4–5:“Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”Reliance: Suffering is a call to trust God and not the life-sustaining props of this world. 2 Corinthians 1:8–9:We were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.Righteousness: Suffering is the discipline of our loving heavenly Father so that we come to share his righteousness and holiness. Hebrews 12:6, 10–11:“The Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” . . . He disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.Reward: Suffering is working for us a great reward in heaven that will make up for every loss here a thousandfold. 2 Corinthians 4:17:This light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.Finally, Reminder: Suffering reminds us that God sent his Son into the world to suffer so that our suffering would not be God’s condemnation but his purification. Philippians 3:10:. . . that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings.