2006-10-20 14:53:38 · 41 answers · asked by Debra M. Wishing Peace To All 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I believe that "God allows what happens to us for our own good and for His greater glory."
2006-10-20 14:58:18 · update #1
Suffering makes you better or bitter
It defines the character as in:
When you drop both a potato and an egg in boiling water the potato comes out soft while the egg comes out hard.
Why does God allow it....
1.To conform us (the Christian) into the image of Christ
2. We reap what we sow (even for Christians)
3. Sometimes we will never know (on this side of life)
4. Once (or while) we have gone (going) through it we are able to comfort those going through the same thing.
2006-10-20 15:06:26 · answer #1 · answered by williamzo 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Mostly, I think that we cause our own suffering. But that is not the only possible reason.
I think there are many reasons that suffering can occur, and we cannot always know what the reason is for any particular case. So, for example, I don't think it is ever really right to say that a hurricane or flood or whatever is punishment for peoples' sins, because while that MIGHT be one reason, we do not know that it is the reason in the particular case. So to say so, is to pretend to know, and to judge, which only God can do.
One of the reasons for suffering may be to strengthen us spiritually. I believe that God cares more about our spiritual well-being than our physical well-being, because it is the spirit which is eternal while the body is only temporary, and a means to an end. So, if by causing us physical suffering, we would develop stronger or happier souls, then that is worth it.
I believe that we choose (unknowingly) a lot of our own suffering. We choose how we are going to interpret the events in our lives. We can be optimistic or pessimistic. If we reframe our thoughts, we can often alleviate much of our own suffering.
I have gained bunches from Rabbi Zelig Pliskin, and from Buddhist views on suffering, about this sort of thing. We really have a lot more control than we tend to realize when it comes to how much we will suffer.
As Rabbi Pliskin says, events in themselves are neutral. It is we who decide whether to call it "good" or "bad." I love the Jewish saying "Gam zu letovah" which means "This too is for good." Also, the Spanish say "No hay mal que por bien no venga" which means there is no bad for what good does not come. So out of all bad, good comes.
One of the reasons for suffering might be so that God can reward us all the more for the good we have done. I get this out of Deuteronomy 8.
Well, I'll be taking a class next semester on God, Evil, and Society in the Biblical World, which will deal with the question of why God allows bad things to happen. I'm sure I'll have much more to say then. ;-)
2006-10-20 15:03:31 · answer #2 · answered by Heron By The Sea 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Suffering came into the world when sin entered the world. This world is not the natural way that God intended it. However, God will use suffering for His greater glory, to teach us and purify us, like burning off the impurities in raw gold until what's left is perfect, pure gold in all it's brillance and glory. That's how God wants us - like pure gold. Isn't it nice, though, to know that in His kingdom, there will be no suffering at all, that there is no suffering whatsoever in heaven? Sounds like a place I wanna be.
2006-10-20 15:06:22 · answer #3 · answered by Danny H 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I can say some of my greatest experiences with Jesus was in the darkest moments of my life. Without those trials I would never have truly understood the greatness of His mercy and Love. In those moments when there were no answers to be found or solutions to be given by medicine, doctors, friends or family I saw the power of God and how nothing was impossible for Him. I was forced to trust Him and believe because there was no other place to go for answers. You can't truly understand the depth of His mercy until you need it. You can't see the vastness of His love until you have required His touch to survive. All of these things are shown in greater depth when the need is greater. So suffering can bring great treasures that you may never have truly experienced to the fullness if you had never needed it.
2006-10-20 16:14:10 · answer #4 · answered by ? 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I hate to say this, but it's true: I'm in the most agonizing time of my life ever right now, but I'm learning so much from it! My favorite author says:
"God never leads His children otherwise than they would choose to be led, if they could see the end from the beginning, and discern the glory of the purpose which they are fulfilling as co-workers with Him. Not Enoch, who was translated to heaven, not Elijah, who ascended in a chariot of fire, was greater or more honored than John the Baptist, who perished alone in the dungeon. "Unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His sake." Phil. 1:29. And of all the gifts that Heaven can bestow upon men, fellowship with Christ in His sufferings is the most weighty trust and the highest honor. "
2006-10-20 15:09:59 · answer #5 · answered by shirleykins 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First of all, this can't be adequately answered through Yahoo...but when you think about it, suffering is simply part of the human condition. Don't forget that God's only Son was tortured and then murdered on a cross. He suffered more pain than many of us will ever endure. Life is not a guaranteed pain-free exercise. The challenge is not to blame God, but to seek Him out, during the good times and the bad times. It is incumbent on us to use life's trials as an instrument to grow closer to God and recognize our eternal dependency on Him.
2006-10-20 15:07:55 · answer #6 · answered by nj55145 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
God allows suffering for our good, I agree with you. Beside God will compensate those who suffered in the other life at heaven and they will forget all the suffering they had, on the other hand those who made them suffer will take their punishment.
Some times for a wise big aim some people must suffer for the good of the whole humanity.
2006-10-20 15:18:22 · answer #7 · answered by mido 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I used to say that God allowed it to happen to strengthen us. But if that is the case, he is allowing some people to get a lot stronger than others.
Anymore now, I don't really think that God gets too involved in what goes on here on Earth. I don't mean to say that I don't think he cares; I just think he created everything to work a certain way, and when it doesn't, we deal with it the best we can.
2006-10-20 15:12:25 · answer #8 · answered by I'm Still Here 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't think God is so egotistical to worry about His greater glory. He allows suffering because He does. Or maybe He has no control over it, or doesn't want control. Or maybe He's just watching and enjoying us as his creation. Or. . .
2006-10-20 16:19:08 · answer #9 · answered by heyrobo 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Some reasons why God allows suffering:
To develop faith (James 1:2-4)
To expose wrong (1 Cor. 11:30, James 5:13-15)
To learn obedience to God (Heb. 5:8)
To cultivate humility (2 Cor. 12:7)
To glorify God (1 Peter 4:16)
2006-10-20 15:08:22 · answer #10 · answered by Bob L 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋