I don't mean a cause, I mean a purpose.
2006-07-05 06:56:13 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
yes
"Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."
~Romans 5:3-5
2006-07-05 07:02:47 · answer #1 · answered by litafromjupiter3 1 · 10⤊ 2⤋
The United Church of God has published a booklet entitled "Why does God allow Suffering".
The following is an excerpt:
"A greater purpose?
Why doesn't God simply ban evil?
To understand the answer, we must consider the consequences such an action would bring.
Understanding why God allows evil and its resultant suffering requires a fundamental understanding of one of God's greatest gifts—as well as how man has continually abused that gift.
The gift is free will—or, as it is more popularly called, freedom of choice. God granted this freedom to our first human parents, Adam and Eve, at creation. But over the millennia we have proven ourselves to be woefully inept stewards of this precious gift and its far-reaching responsibility.
As God explained to ancient Israel, the freedom to make choices is essential to developing righteous character (Deuteronomy 30:15-19). Without freedom to choose, we would be little more than robots, with our behavior either preprogrammed and unchangeable or dictated in all its details by an outside force such as God Himself.
But that is not God's intent. He has different expectations of us because of His much higher purpose for us. He wants us to choose to obey Him from the heart. He wants us to enthusiastically love and cherish His values and standards, which are based on two overriding principles—loving Him with all our hearts and loving others as much as we love ourselves (Matthew 22:35-40).
As we will see, choosing to obey God and learning to love others when we have the freedom to do otherwise is vital for the future God has planned for us."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You can request a copy or view it online at the link below.
2006-07-05 14:09:17 · answer #2 · answered by kueria 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Suffering has a purpose It is salvific Look to Christ Suffering is caused by sin but united to Christ it is our salvation. All suffer so why waste it? Unite it with the sufferings of Christ and reap great benefit.
2006-07-05 14:01:33 · answer #3 · answered by stpatrick_re 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes suffering is used to enlighten or build character for the person. To prepare them for something else regarding themselves or another. Maybe the one person suffering something is strong enough to go through it, but needs to build character in regards to something (experience it in order to be a help) because that person is going to eventually help someone not as strong through the same thing. Do you understand what I am trying to say? Hopefully, you do.
2006-07-05 14:03:40 · answer #4 · answered by Gardener for God(dmd) 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Suffering always turns christians towards God. The Bible tells us that God can use something wrong and make a good out of it.
2006-07-05 14:00:15 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Romans 5:3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
2006-07-05 14:01:14 · answer #6 · answered by bachlava_9 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Suffering produces ones character. It can produce either good or bad.
2006-07-05 14:02:23 · answer #7 · answered by justaskn 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes,
The pupose could be simply to bring us back to our GOD if we have tended to stray away.
The purpose could also be so that we can see that we need to glorify GOD in all things in our lives, both good and bad, happy and sad.
But, the fact remains there is always a purpose to our walk with GOD.
2006-07-05 14:09:01 · answer #8 · answered by cindy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it's not punishment if that's what your asking. but it's not like a test of your faith either. it's just there to make you a stronger person with more character and to help build your faith I think. the book of Job is all about it.
2006-07-05 14:01:26 · answer #9 · answered by tres_passe 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sometimes suffering is the only way God can get our attention. It builds faith when we call on Him
2006-07-05 14:01:17 · answer #10 · answered by GodsHolyFire 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋