Why does God allow pain?
Q: "Why must there be pain? I question why God lets people go through physical pain."
our A: We're not sure that God gives an answer
to your question in the Bible. We don't think
He gives an explicit answer to the "why" He allows
certain things to happen at this time.
It's quite possible that He will explain
all of that at a later time, possibly
at judgment. But even with certain
questions unanswered, He still seems to
think He's given us enough answers to
turn to Him and seek Him in
humility and truth.
We do not think that people will be able
to say, at judgment -- "I would have
believed in You were it not for pain,
suffering, evil!" We don't think that
will wash with Him. He knows what He's
doing. If He is silent about something,
He has taken that into account.
However, after having said that, here's
a few things to consider. One is Jesus Christ. When God
took on flesh, He did not refuse to
suffer pain. He endured pain and suffering.
Certainly that must mean something in
the whole scheme of things.
Second is that Jesus says that His
kingdom is not of this world. God loved
the world by sending His Word (Jesus)
into the world. But He is not fond of
the world or how it operates
(the selfishness, sin, the harm that
people do to others and to themselves). God loves His world
that's coming, where there is no more
mourning, crying, death or pain. That's
His kingdom.
Third, God alone is good. So
however we might view things, we do not
know the full story if our perspective
is causing us to think ill of God. He
is perfect. He is perfectly fair. He is
good. The way He is doing things is the
right and good way, even if we do not
fully comprehend His ways.
Jesus said in this world you will have
difficulties. He made that statement to
people who were going to be hated for
His name's sake (hated for believing in Him).
But Jesus also added this: "These things I
have spoken to you, so that in Me you may
have peace. In the world you have
tribulation, but take courage; I have
overcome the world."1
God has not left
us alone in this world. We have not been
abandoned by Him. For an article that
explains what we can count on God for,
in the midst of suffering, please see:
Where is God in the Midst of Tragedy?
1 John 16:33
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