GOD IS GOOD...SO WHY IS THERE SUFFERING?

This my friends, is the question...or the argument...that people often use when talking about God.

"If your God is so good then why do bad things happen?"

"Why doesn't he just make the suffering go away?"

God doesn't make bad things happen. He isn't some big spiritual being on a power trip. But yes, He does permit certain things to happen.

What happens when our child gets sick? Or hurt?

We take them to the doctor, of course. Sometimes however, that trip to the doctor can end up being a painful or traumatic one depending on the sickness or injury. Yet, as parents, we permit our children to endure these things because we know that it is neccessary. It will benefit them in the end.

At the time, the child is probably wondering why his/her parents aren't doing anything to stop it and perhaps feels betrayed. After all, they trust their parents. It is their duty to keep them safe.

But just like we don't enjoy seeing our children suffer, God does not enjoy watching us suffer.

And because only He knows the greater good at the end of our trial, we might feel as though He has abandoned us.

Without suffering, there would be no compassion.

I love when people use this quote. Sometimes I wonder if they even know what it means.

To have compassion, you need to empathy. That comes when you can place yourself in someone else's shoes and really feel what they feel...and feel for them. That is where compassion comes in. And unfortunately, this is where some sort of trial has happened. Whether it's cancer or losing a job. Being in a car accident, or watching a loved one destroy themselves. God doesn't allow things to happen without good reason, but it's very hard for us to see what good can come of our situation when we are drowning in it.

That's why we must trust God.

It isn't easy. No way.

And I know about half of you that read this will scoff and pass me off as just another Jesus freak who expects you to be perfectly rational and calm whenever something bad happens to you.

Hey--even I freak out.

I'm just trying to give you all some food for thought.

Let me leave you with an example of suffering for the greater good.

One of the world's greatest evils was the day we killed Jesus.

We killed the man who was meant to save us.

But it was through this wretched act that our salvation was ensured.

God turned what was meant for evil...into good. Even though we were to blame.
Perhaps we will never truly see the greater outcome for our suffering until the day we meet Him face to face. But until then, we must try.

God Bless