Why Does God Allow Suffering?
People often ask the question, why does God allow suffering and evil? To answer that we have to take a look at free will, divine sovereignty, and the purpose of pain in human growth.
The Reality of Evil and Suffering
In a recent sermon, Pastor Mike Signorelli addresses the complex relationship between God's goodness and the presence of evil and suffering in the world. While this is a common question, especially among those who struggle with faith in light of rampant evil, God’s goodness can still be found in the midst of it all.
The desire for free will is presented as a human condition where people want the autonomy to sin yet prefer to be controlled by God when it comes to blessings. We can’t have both. God wants to work His will through us but He gave us free will. People of God can not be submitted to God only when it suits their desires. In the biblical account of Adam and Eve, we see that from the very beginning of creation, God did not create puppets but instead, He created moral agents endowed with the freedom to choose. This free will is what allowed them to choose to disobey God and eat from the Tree of Knowledge, resulting in suffering and pain entering the world.
There is an implication that the consequences of sin have fundamentally altered the human experience, introducing suffering as a direct result of deviating from God's original plan. As described in scripture the pain found in childbirth and the toil in labor are among the human repercussions of Adam and Eve’s fall from grace.
"If you do it your way, you're going to suffer the consequences of deviating from that perfect plan," Pastor Mike declares.
God’s Sovereignty vs. Supernatural Evil
Many people become disenfranchised with God because they fail to recognize the existence of supernatural evil. Supernatural evil and moral evil are different things. Moral evil is the result of human choices. Satan and demons as agents of supernatural evil can cause suffering and chaos on Earth. In the Book of Job, the Bible reveals that Satan is able to roam the Earth and even present himself before God. This challenges common misconceptions about the nature of demons and their existence concerning believers.
We see through Jobs’ account that God does not commit evil but He does allow it to exist within His sovereign plan. This narrative encompasses both human free will and divine control. Pastor Mike often gets flack for his deliverance ministry from those who say demonic spirits can not demonize Christians. However, he argues: "Satan literally has access to heaven, showing that demons can exist in our minds and lives."
Many people confuse sovereignty with control. Being in control is not the same as God causing evil. Western superiority complicates the understanding of God's sovereignty and the presence of evil and suffering in the world. Pastor Mike highlights that while God is sovereign, this does not equate to Him causing or desiring evil; rather, it's part of a larger divine plan that is beyond human comprehension. Scripture is clear that God's ways are higher than human ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). Romans 11:33 also reminds us that human understanding is limited. As followers of God, we submit to God's wisdom, despite feeling anger or confusion in response to suffering. This submission leads us to a path to deeper faith and understanding of God's expansive plan.
God’s Purpose: Make It Right
Humans often try to counsel God on how to handle evil and suffering however we can not neglect personal accountability for one's own decisions which contribute to societal issues.
Humanity was given free will to make choices, which can lead to destructive outcomes. God's nature is free of evil and even though it happens frequently He should never be liable for human decisions that lead to suffering.
Pastor Mike says that God's purposes are revealed through suffering and trials. Although God does not cause evil the trials of our life are integral to spiritual growth and maturity. The Apostle Paul talks about pain being vital for developing perseverance and character (Romans 5:3–5). Even amid pain, there can be growth and goodness. God’s engagement with humanity amidst suffering can be an opportunity for followers of Christ to be the answer to the problems they see in the world, positioning believers as warriors equipped to combat evil through spiritual means.
Suffering can be used in God's plan working within us to shape our purpose. People tend to seek to escape pain but what comes from suffering can unveil our true destiny.
Evil and injustices often ignite a sense of purpose within individuals who have a heart after God. Human trafficking, racism, and other evils may reveal a calling to act against such injustices. In those moments the Holy Spirit prompts a Christ follower to "make it right," indicating a divine mission to stand against evil.
The concept of being a "Watchman" is introduced in scripture as someone who is to be vigilant in the face of evil (Ezekiel 3:17). Those who recognize wrongdoing should desire to take action and create change.
“It’s not the evil you see; it's what you do about what you see,” Pastor Mike maintained.
The Eternal Perspective on Suffering
Believers are called to view suffering in light of God’s ultimate plan for redemption and restoration. Suffering should always be viewed through an eternal lens. As Romans and 1 Peter highlights, suffering can lead to a deeper relationship with Christ and activate our faith, making us problem solvers amid life's problems.
“Life is just one test of suffering,” said Pastor Mike, so it is important to search for your purpose in it all.
About the Author
Jeannie Ortega Law is a chart-topping singer, evangelist, media personality and author from New York City. She can be reached on social media: @JeannieOrtega or emailed at Info@JeannieO.com
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