Why God Allows Suffering? (5)

Repeated exposure to violence-real and feigned-in news and entertainment hardens us to the real suffering of others.

Technology has presented us a gift of dubious worth—the ability to see people suffering on live television from news spots almost anywhere on the planet. We see people in pain not only in our own neighborhoods, but we have front-row seats to watch multitudes in misery all over the world. Our media-mad world makes this kind of news coverage available and sometimes almost inescapable. Through the wandering eye of modern communication, we see the brutality of mankind in living color. We're served the horror of war in the convenience of our living rooms. We watch the depravity of twisted individuals played out on the world stage. In recent decades the media have force-fed us with accounts of thrill killings by psychopaths. Serial killings and mass murders that once were rare now seem almost commonplace. What is the effect on us of the persistent exposure to such decadent and depressing fare? One effect is that we mentally suffer, whether we realize it or not. Constant exposure to the rampages of deranged people is hard enough on adults, but it inflicts far greater damage on the minds of youth in their formative years. Although it is impossible to shield our children from every unpleasant side of society, exposure to so much gratuitous violence early in life can emotionally damage them. Repeated exposure to violence—real and feigned—in news and entertainment hardens us to the real suffering of others.

If God is truly a God of love and mercy, why does He not intervene?

Some have concluded that God simply doesn't exist. The answer, however, is much more complex. What does the Bible reveal about the causes of suffering?

British author and historian Paul Johnson writes of one of mankind's greatest theological dilemmas in his book The Quest for God, stating,"I suspect that the problem of evil drives more thoughtful people away from religion than any other difficulty" (1996, p. 61).

Many people believe that if God is truly the God of love and mercy, He would be bound by His own character and principles to prevent suffering in the world. This brings up a good question. Why doesn't God intervene to prevent suffering?

The evil that God allows, and the tragedies He chooses not to prevent, leads many to question the wisdom, goodness and even existence of God. Some atheists cite the reality of evil as their trump card in the argument about the existence of God. Julian Huxley, one of the 20th century's leading proponents of evolution, opined that the existence of evil "is a challenge to God's moral character" ( Religion Without Revelation, 1957, p. 109).

Why does God allow evil? Anyone who has ever felt pain or experienced tragedy wonders about this. Theologians, philosophers, historians and scientists have mused over the issue. Let's consider some of their conclusions.

An evil God vs. a good God?

The second-century gnostic teacher Marcion, who was declared a heretic because of his views, believed that "there were two rival Gods: one, the tyrannical creator and lawgiver of the Old Testament; the other, the unknown God of love and mercy who sent Jesus to purchase salvation from the creator God" ( Webster Encyclopedia, one-volume edition, 1985, p. 561).

In Marcion's view the lawgiver God was responsible for the existence of pain and evil, and the work of the Savior was to deliver the world from the pain and evil caused by that God. Ironically, this erroneous outlook was modified and refined by others and gradually took root in the body of the doctrine of the mainstream church, where its influence has fostered confusion and misunderstanding to this day.

Many assume God angrily intervenes to punish us whenever we step out of line, when in reality He generally allows us to suffer the consequences of our own selfish, shortsighted behavior (see Jeremiah:2:19; 10:23). Most people fail to recognize that God doesn't have to directly intervene every time we sin; the spiritual laws He set in motion are self-enforcing, bringing their own punishment in the form of painful consequences when we break them.

To be cont'd.

God bless You all.

Why God Allows Suffering? (4)

Mankind willfully spreads suffering

Although the toll of suffering from food shortages and disease is monumental, raw greed brings yet more suffering. Slavery, for example, is an ancient and supposedly obsolete institution, yet it remains a cancer in many countries.

The United Nations estimates that more than 12 million people are enslaved today. Other organizations believe the true number is more than double that. Time magazine describes the situation: "Millions of people around the globe, including children as young as six, are working in bondage—in dangerous and degrading conditions that often involve 18-hour workdays, beatings and sexual abuse" (March 22, 1993).

Many more, although not held against their will, live in virtual slavery, trapped by economic circumstances and long work hours while eking out a meager living. Such conditions crush the human spirit. Imagine a life bereft of joy, an existence in which people never enjoy such simple pleasures as the sound of beautiful music, the fun of good humor, the feel of a new garment or the comfort of a secure roof overhead.

Greed takes a deadly toll in hundreds of more subtle ways. Advertisers hawk products that can ruin our health and eventually kill us. Entertainment promotes selfish, arrogant lifestyles that focus on short-term pleasure even as they ultimately destroy personal relationships and ruin opportunities for long-term happiness. Some businesses, manufacturers and governments poison the air, land and water with toxins that threaten others' health and safety. The list goes on and on.

Will the picture change?

When Jesus Christ came to earth two millennia ago, He saw His share of misery. He witnessed the plight of outcast lepers, widows in need and people with debilitating mental disorders. He reacted with compassion to alleviate misery.

Jesus' concern and compassion were evident when He wept openly as He approached Jerusalem for the final time (Luke:19:41-44


). He could foresee the anguish that warfare would bring on the beloved city and its people in A.D. 70 when a Jewish rebellion would result in Roman armies laying siege to the city, with horrible consequences.

He proclaimed that part of His mission was "to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed" (Luke:4:18). Such a time has not yet occurred for all mankind, but God promises He will bring an end to suffering in general during Christ's millennial reign and will eventually banish it (Revelation:21:4).

In the coming pages we'll discover how and when this will occur. But, to understand how suffering will end, we must understand how it began—and why it continues. 

To be cont'd.

God Bless you all.

Why God Allows Suffering? (3)

Where suffering is a constant

Suffering exacts its greatest toll on people in poorer, backward countries. In many countries people struggle simply to have enough to eat. United Nations statistics explain that more than 800 million people suffer from the effects of constant hunger, and a child dies of hunger or hunger-related ailments every five seconds. According to the World Bank, almost a billion people earn less than a dollar a day, and almost half the world's population survive on less than $2 per day.

"You have the poor with you always," said Jesus (Matthew:26:11). This is depressingly true not only in pockets of poverty in Africa, Asia and Latin America, but virtually everywhere. What makes the existence of the abject and underfed more tragic is that much of this kind of suffering is avoidable.

Political ineptitude, corrupt leadership, war and rapid population growth that outstrips food supplies fuel hunger and starvation. Inefficient farming methods and inadequate transportation and food-delivery systems are factors that contribute to chronic shortages and man-made famines. Conditions beyond human control also play a part.

Starvation and disease are problems that are going to get worse even if short-term relief measures are successfully implemented. Jesus foretold a time of unprecedented trouble in the "last days" that will include widespread famine. He prophesied of "famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places" (Matthew:24:7).

Pestilence—disease epidemics—often accompanies famines. When destructive earthquakes strike, particularly in poor nations, a ravaged infrastructure prevents the flow of food into the afflicted areas. Disease and hunger soon take their deadly toll.

Although wars make the headlines, the number of deaths from armed conflict is small compared with those who die from disease. According to some estimates, AIDS kills 10 times as many in Africa alone as die in wars worldwide.

To be cont'd.

God bless you.

Why God Allows Suffering? (2)

Cont'd.

Make no mistake, Jesus understood that suffering is an inextricable part of this physical life. He reminded His followers, "In this world you will have trouble" (John:16:33, New International Version).

Suffering won't go away—yet

Suffering strikes rich and poor, religious and irreligious, small and great. In this life virtually everyone will experience it. Disease and health problems seem to strike most people at some time or other.

In centuries past common diseases caused immense suffering. But in spite of advances in medical science that have greatly lengthened the average life span, we know we will still die. Rather than having our lives cut short by the killer diseases of earlier years, now many of us will expire at a greater age from such debilitating afflictions as cancer or heart disease. Many will lose their mental faculties long before their bodies wear out.

In poorer nations, suffering and death from diseases that are largely preventable still cut an enormous swath of misery and despair.

Barbarity is responsible for much mental and physical suffering. Nothing reduces man to brutal cruelty more quickly than war, and man is always fighting his fellow man. A few decades ago historians Will and Ariel Durant wrote that in 3,421 years of recorded history "only 268 have seen no war" ( The Lessons of History, 1968, p. 81).

Barbarity is responsible for much mental and physical suffering. Nothing reduces man to brutal cruelty more quickly than war, and man is always fighting his fellow man. A few decades ago historians Will and Ariel Durant wrote that in 3,421 years of recorded history "only 268 have seen no war" ( The Lessons of History, 1968, p. 81).

War causes not only deaths and crippling injuries on the battlefield but heartbreak, the destruction of families and poverty. It sows the seeds of enmities that last for centuries. Jesus prophesied that the period immediately before His return would see the greatest suffering of all time, much of it directly attributable to warfare (Matthew:24:6, 21-22).

After the terror of the wars of the first half of the 20th century and the worldwide disruption they engendered, mankind has enjoyed a moderate reprieve in the sense that wars since then have been regional rather than global. Yet nothing has changed in human nature that offers much enduring hope for the future.

To be cont'd.

God Bless you all my friends.

WHY GOD ALLOWS SUFFERING?

Suffering: Why so much suffering the people asked? It's not a pleasant subject to discuss, but a very necessary one. 

A dictionary defines suffering as the state of anguish or pain of one who suffers the bearing of pain, injury or loss ( The New International Webster's Comprehensive Dictionary ).

Suffering plagues our world. In its many forms it affects us physically, psychologically and emotionally. Whatever its manifestation, extended suffering can crush the body and spirit.

Suffering falls on the just and the unjust. It afflicts innocent victims. This uncomfortable fact makes it difficult for us to reconcile such obvious unfairness with the existence or fairness of an intelligent divine being.

Some are so disturbed by this state of affairs that they try to remedy the situation. They devote much of their energy to performing charitable works aimed at relieving undeserved suffering. They long to make the world a more just and equitable place to live.

But, commendable as these efforts are, good works don't solve the world's problems. It appears that our efforts to stop suffering at best only delay the inevitable. And nobody, it seems, has a believable explanation of why so much human misery persists.

What is the answer? Why is suffering so indiscriminate? Why isn't it meted out to only those who deserve it? Why do the innocent suffer from actions and events they have no control over and often cannot foresee?

Thinkers and philosophers have weighed in on the issue for years, but they have failed to provide a satisfying rational answer. Those in pain, including many reading this blog, need answers to your questions.

The Bible view: Realistic and encouraging

Let's examine the causes of suffering from a biblical perspective. God's Word is the key source that can help us discover the reasons people suffer.

The biblical view of life is realistic and encouraging. The Bible explains why pain has always been with us and why it will remain, at least for a time.

At the same time the biblical view is also encouraging, especially when we expand our thinking to see life in terms of God's plan and His purpose for mankind.

Jesus Christ tells us that His mission includes the offer to us of an abundant life (John:10:10). Psalm:16:11 tells us that "at God's right hand are pleasures for-ever-more." The Bible also reveals how God will lighten our burdens and how relief will one day come to the whole world. It also tells us of a time even further beyond when suffering will completely disappear.

But that is not the condition of humanity in our age unfortunately.

To be cont'd.

God bless you all.

A Ramah Word Can Change Your Life!

There’s an old adage that says, “Someday is not a day of the week.” Now, it’s safe to say that someday you’re   going to want more money, more happiness and more opportunities... maybe this is something you want today! Well, if I’m right about this, then I might as well tell you that someday you’ll never have it unless you do something about it today because someday is not a day of the week. You should know that your personal and spiritual integrity robs procrastination of its power and pushes you forward in your destiny.

In fact,thereare seven common causes of procrastination your personal strength can prevent... 

1. Fear of the Outcome – your personal prophetic word can reveal the expected end regarding any situation or circumstance you’re in.
2. Helplessness in the face of Complexity – your personal prophetic word teaches you to trust God and God is your help in the face of complexity to bring you a simple answer.
3. Rebellion and Laziness – when you trust God completely, you never resent the task that’s in front of you. When you understand the path of your word is for your own achievement, you are eager to complete it.
4. Lack of Motivation – your personal prophetic word is your breakthrough, your manifestation, your chance in life to make a difference. Direction brings you a sense of pride, and you will be motivated by what God can do.
5. Lack of Focus – unfettered focus leads to confusion and disorientation. Your personal prophetic word will lend you focus in specific areas that you are to be concentrating on in this season.
6. Not knowing where or How to Start –your personal prophetic word will reveal your launching point and give you the how when you simply don’t know.
7. Perfectionism – your personal prophetic word doesn’t require perfectionism in anything other than obedience.

The Scripture declares:

  

He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap. 

(Ecclesiastes 11:4)

Remember, your future is always under construction, hence, God the almighty, is the master builder.

Heaven bless you all.

You'll Get Through This!

When the storm leaves you feeling disillusioned...just know, you’ll get through this. My friends, when you’re overwhelmed by the clouds of adversity and exhausted from the rains of hurt...keep in mind, you’ll get through this. When sorrow tries to strike you with the lightning of insecurity and loneliness... you'll get through this as well.

• You’ve been going through some worrisome storms lately, haven’t you?
• You’ve been patiently waiting on the Lord for some answers, have you?
• You’re ready and hopeful to receive present help in your time of trouble, don't you? 

During these trying times in life, the desire to be more confident in the word of our Lord is paramount. Rest in the Lord God of Host and wait patiently.

“Even though the world is crumbling all about;

And no safe place can be found.

Right is wrong, wrong is right;

The change is quite profound.

You still need my guiding light.

To lead you out of here;

If you focus on My Word and prayer,

It’ll take away your fear.

Temptations of this desperate world

We'll rule out and let go;

Give your burdens all to Me,

And I’ll never let you go.

That's how we'll get through this, my friends,

Fixed on glory from above,

Assured with your protection, help,

And everlasting love.”

Hast thou not known? Hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? There is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. (Isaiah 40:28-29)

God bless you all.