Reasons Why God Allows Suffering?

GoldenEagle · November 12, 2013

It's in seasons of suffering that we are built and strengthened. It's what sharpens us and makes us stronger, deeper, and wiser as believers. Historically, the church grew during times of persecution.

Consder this: The great hymns of our faith were not written by theological giants living in ivory towers. They were written by common people and many of them were written out of their pain and definitely during times of suffering. "It Is Well" comes to mind. "What a Friend We have in Jesus" is another one that was written out of a suffering heart. The great hymn, "Just As I Am" made famous by the Billy Graham Crusades was written by a young lady racked with a painful disabilty. The most prolific hymn writer in the world, Fannie Crosby was blinded as an infant by a quack doctor, but she memorized the entire NT and wrote more hymns than anyone.

Re: Personal level - On a personal level I would agree. I would say that my relationship with Christ has grown the most when I have faced challenges. Those instances reminds me of my need for God more acutely.

In re-reading the Psalms it's amazing how many times David and others presented their sufferings before God.

Re: Church persecution - Yes, it is during persecution that the Church has grown the most. Take what is going on in China and other closed countries to the Gospel for example. God's name will be known among the nations!

Re: Music - yes some of the greatest hymms of our faith were indeed written in times of sorrow. Take "" pinned by Horatio Spafford. Spafford lost his livelyhood with the Great Chicago Fire in 1871. He was a laywer in Chicago and had a lot of property that basically became worth pennies over night. He sent his family ahead to Europe as he was dealing with zoning problems in Chicago. His four daughters died as their ship collided with another sea vessell in the Atlantic. His wife was Anna, the only of his family to survive the ship wreck, sent him the now famous telegram, "Saved alone …".

alphaparticle · November 12, 2013

1. I suppose I'd add that it's a side effect of sin in the world also.

2. I believe God can use suffering to break us and mold us into His vision. We are repeatedly told to be humble (mat 5:5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.") and perhaps this is one way to bring us low. Perhaps when we are suffering, and God helps us through that, we are a witness to others, as Stephen was when he was stoned to death.

3. I think we are supposed to comfort and provide for each other, so perhaps it is when someone is suffering it's an opportunity for us to imitate Christ in the sense of helping each other with relief.

As far as which reason resonates with me the most, that is hard to say. Before, I thought suffering happened because of indifferent circumstances. The universe doesn't care who suffers or not, it just happens. Facing challenges as a Christian I think the first thing I've come to appreciate is that God cares and it's not random. It makes it a lot easier for me to bear anyway. i won't always see the reasons that go into allowing for this or that to occur, but I can trust God has the sufficient reasons and there is a greater purpose in things. That has mattered more to me, on retrospect, than I realized.

GoldenEagle · November 12, 2013

Take "" pinned by Horatio Spafford.

Imagine writting this after hearing your 4 daughters had died... What an example to us!

Lyrics:

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll;

Whatever my lot, You have taught me to say,