One of the most common questions I receive from both skeptics and non-believer's alike is, “Why does God allow so much suffering throughout the world?” We are all so quick to blame God for the many unfortunate circumstances that may occur throughout life. But, should we be pointing the finger at God? Is He, in fact, the one to blame? I hope this article will clearly answer these most profound questions. Let us examine the holy writ of God to see what it says concerning this issue.
I will never forget it for the rest of my life...
Several years ago, I was watching the Oprah Winfrey Show. I normally don’t watch the show primarily because I am still at work whenever the show airs on television. However, for whatever reason, I was at home this day as I tuned in to watch her show. This particular episode was about one of man’s most heinous and despicable evils. It was about rape and it’s victims. Naturally, all of the victims were women. One woman in particular stole both my attention and my heart as she recalled the horrid details of that dark and morbid night some twenty five years ago when she was violently raped by an unknown stranger. Shortly after giving her detailed account of the events that night, she brought out onto stage the product of that rape.
Her son.
Her twenty-five year old, handsome, healthy, and intelligent son, who was now a full-grown man.
After reminiscing about his childhood, his upbringing, his thoughts, and the sincere love he has for his mother, the son requested that he be given the opportunity to do something he’d never had a chance to do before. (I weep now even as I think about it.) Oprah gladly granted his request.
Silently, the young man turned and looked directly into the camera and with tears welled up in his eyes, said, “Whoever you are out there that raped my mother, I forgive you. Both my mother and I want you to come forward so you can be my father. I truly love you and have forgiven you for what you have done. Please, I beg of you to come forward and be my father.” Those words, mixed with emotions, can make a grown man weep profusely, trust me.
Now, what kind of person can just forgive and love someone who raped their own mother and was never heard from again? My guess is it’s someone who has experienced the wonderful, powerful, and saving grace of Jesus Christ. Now, I don’t know if this young gentleman was in fact a Christian or not. The truth of the matter is I just don’t remember. Nevertheless, my assumption is that he is. For no man that hasn’t been forgiven can forgive such as he.
From a single, frightful, evening twenty five years ago, a child was born, love was instilled, and forgiveness was offered. But, most of all, God was glorified.
Which brings me to the next point. Did God plan and act out this emotionally devastating and violent rape of this innocent woman? The answer is NO. He allowed or permitted it to happen. For whatever purpose and reasons we don’t understand, He had to. But He himself did not orchestrate or perform the actual crime itself. And I assure you, He cried as He watched it happen. This and other heinous acts of crime committed by man are the works of none other than Satan and Satan alone, for God does not commit that which is evil.
This is called, “permissive will”. Permissive will is God’s allowance of circumstances to occur, whether good or bad, in order that He may be glorified and for goodness to prevail. Perhaps the most profound example of His permissive will is given to us in the person of Jesus Christ. It can be found in the death, burial, and resurrection of His only begotten Son.
God allowed His Son to be arrested, tried, beaten, flogged, spat upon, and ultimately crucified in order that He defeat Satan, defy death, and give life to all of mankind. Simply put, God was glorified and goodness prevailed out of what seemingly appeared to be an unfortunate circumstance. God foreknew before Pontius Pilate that his Son would be pronounced guilty. God foreknew before the Roman soldiers nailed Him to the cross that Jesus would be crucified. But God himself did not plan out the events of his beatings, crucifixion, and death, He simply allowed it to happen. God doesn't have limited and narrow tunnel vision such as we mortals do. Because of God's omniscience, He is able to see beyond the immediate circumstance and instead see the end result. In the case of Christ's beatings and His crucifixion, He saw the lives of you, me, and countless others saved by the love and grace as a result of this most momentous event.
Perhaps the Bible can give us a clearer illustration of this will. Let’s look at the servant Job. This upright, and godly man’s life was nearly taken from him, most assuredly shaken up. You can see why:
1. All of his sons and daughters perished in a mighty windstorm.
(Job 1:18-19)
2. He lost all of his family livestock to nearby raiders. (Job 1:13-15)
3. He lost all of his servants to a firestorm. (Job 1:16)
4. He was inflicted with painful sores from head to toe. (Job 2:7)
However, through all of his tribulation and all that came upon this man, he was still able to maintain his integrity and his steadfast faith in God. And through his perseverance, “...God made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before.” (Job 42:10) God was glorified and goodness prevailed.
You see, prior to these events that transpired, there existed a dialogue between God and Satan. Satan was looking for a man of God to destroy.
“One day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them. The Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” Satan answered the Lord, “From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it.” Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.” “Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.” The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.” Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord. (Job 1:6-12)
As we can see, Satan had to seek permission from God in order to destroy Job’s household and to inflict pain upon him. But God himself did not do it. This conversation between God and Satan teaches us an important fact about God, and that is, He is fully aware of every attempt by Satan to bring suffering and difficulty upon us. Even when it seems like He’s not there. God may allow us to suffer for reasons that are beyond our understanding and comprehension. But in the end, it’s all for a good reason. And reasons we may or may not ever know. Either way, he will never allow us to suffer more than what we can handle.
"And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." (1 Corinthians 10:13)
What an awesome God we serve!
