Why God Allows Suffering

Our present misery is the result of wrong choices, but we don't have to bear it alone. by John Shirn

Almost everyone has encountered hard times. Serious sickness, premature death, financial failure, or other grievous setbacks occur, causing the aggrieved to ask, "If there really is a living, loving God in heaven, why does He allow these things to happen?" or "God, where were You when I needed You?"

One answer to our perplexity is that God intends everyone to have a choice about life and eternity and that many of us have made wrong choices.

Our God allowed both good and evil in the Garden of Eden. Genesis 2:9b mentions the tree of life. This, of course, represents Jesus: "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). The tree of knowledge of good and evil may symbolize the Devil: "You will be like God, knowing good and evil" (Genesis 3:5). To raise up children for Himself from the humans He created in Eden, God planted these two symbolic trees to give humanity a choice: life through Jesus or eventual death through Satan.

Adam and Eve coveted the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Knowing they would choose wrongly, God preplanned their salvation by arranging for His Son to die for humanity so He might select out of the masses only those who would accept Christ as their personal Savior (John 3:16). The rest He will burn as chaff (Revelation 20:15).

The choice of evil

The Bible repeatedly stresses that God's people turned away from Him. He shows how the whole world lies in sin and tells us "There is none who does good" (Psalm 14:1; Romans 3:12). From the days of ancient Israel until now, people have not wanted God to interfere in their lives. They want to live the way they want, though it will prevent them from experiencing God's perfect will for them.

I once had a young employee with whom I tried to share God's Word. He rebuked me: "Don't tell me about God now. I don't want to be responsible for living His way yet. After I've had my fling at life the way I want it, I may come to Him."

Can such people really look to God for safety? For healing? For help in times of need? Do they have the right to ask, "Oh God, where were You when I needed You?" or to say "If there is a living, loving God in heaven, why did He allow this disaster to befall me?" No.

Judges 17:6 states, "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes." God allows suffering because He gave people the freedom to choose their way of life (Deuteronomy 30:14-19). But look at the consequences of choosing your way as opposed to choosing His. And think of how frustrating it would be if you were restrained by an invisible power from doing those things you wanted to do that are bad for you. If it were God's will to produce instant character or automatons, He would not have placed the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Satan) in the garden.

Why God created humanity

Our purpose on earth is to become children of God. He knows that perfect character takes time and training and desire to obey. We must be willingly under His command. Character is the ability to choose the right way -- a choice God will never make for you. God tells us to "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" (Philippians 2:12). So if you have not accepted Christ as your personal Savior, if you have not opened your heart and mind to Him as He knocks to enter (Revelation 3:20), then you have no right to ask Him where He was when you needed Him or why He allowed this grief.

God has the right to ask, "Where were you when My Son knocked on your heart's door? Where were you when He died a horrendous death on the cross to make the way of salvation for you? Where were you when the soldiers pierced His side, and blood and water poured forth? Is your calamity worse then His? Do you think I did not cry when My only begotten Son died? Do you think that Jesus did not cry out to Me in His grief, but accepted the pain anyway? Certainly you can stand your grief if you lay it upon His shoulders."

Placing your cares on Christ

You can place all your cares on Christ and He will bear them for you, if you turn your life over to Him. "Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you" (1 Peter 5:6, 7). Do this by repenting of sins, faults, and doubts toward God the Father, His Son Jesus, and their Holy Book. Then be baptized by immersion to show your belief in Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, and you'll receive the Holy Spirit within you (Acts 2:38; 10:42-48; Romans 6:4).

Don't put God on hold, but act immediately upon feeling your grief. He may take your life this very day; then where will you be? Unsaved! He is constantly knocking; it is up to you to let Him in -- now! Jesus suffered much greater pain and grief than you ever will to offer you life eternal. He wants to change your life for the better. Can you put this gift off? Are you going to let Satan devour you? Or will you accept the free gift of God's Holy Spirit and be protected from Satan and his dark angels of death?

Two trees

Eden is gone; but the two trees, Jesus and Satan, still exist in the world. God offers you the same choice He offered Adam and Eve. Whom will you choose? You belong to the one you follow. If you choose Christ, you must give your all to Him. Give Him your loyalty and your grief. Give Him your allegiance and your pain. Give Him your possessions, your family, your finances. Put your burdens on Him and release yourself from Satan's yoke of bondage, fear, anxiety, covetousness, grief. God will give generous portions of the Holy Spirit so you will be able to bear up under any pull of Satan. In fact, you will be able to command Satan to leave you (James 4:7).

When we seek God and forsake evil, He will have mercy on us and pardon us (Isaiah 55:6, 7). However, even if we do accept Him and do all He tells us, He may not heal a certain illness or soothe a certain grief. Paul asked three times for healing, but Jesus answered, "My grace is sufficient for you . . ." (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Let His grace be sufficient for you, too. Remember the final goal and reward: life eternal in His kingdom. Believing this, you can finally overcome every grief. No disaster can defeat you.

This article appeared in a past issue of the Bible Advocate print magazine. For a free subscription, contact bibleadvocate@cog7.org.

John Shirn is a member of the Church of God (Seventh Day) in San Antonio, TX. Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version.

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