is he getting kick out of our pain? i dont' see the point. he's in control. he can fix it all if he wants.
2007-02-10 06:20:07 · 12 answers · asked by a b 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
you say us like it's me and you. I'm doing great, but the mouse in your pocket and you must want a pity party
2007-02-10 06:23:46 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Many people have asked this question over the centuries, and not just Christians. The ancient Greeks also wondered about this, as well as the Jews. People have written many books on the subject. If you are really interested in finding an answer to this question, then I would recommend reading “The Problem of Pain” by C. S. Lewis, or "Where Is God When It Hurts?" by Phillip Yancey.
One could conclude that God is either evil, powerless to stop it, or that he enjoys it. Or one could conclude that he doesn’t exist. All of these possibilities have been suggested, and it seems that you thought of some of them already.
But there is also the possibility that the temporary suffering of this world somehow brings about a greater purpose that we cannot fully comprehend. My own personal suffering makes me more compasionate toward others, for example. The Bible seems to state that God can use any circumstance to bring about the greater good in the long run.
This is not a complete answer, but it is the best that the limited space allows; and besides, we humans with our limited intelligence cannot hope to fully understand God.
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...Christians always look for good coming out of evil. They believe God can bring good things out of evil and sin. For example, in the story in the Old Testament, Joseph's brothers sold Joseph as a slave. This caused suffering to Joseph and to his Father, Jacob, but God used this to save many lives (Genesis chapter 50 verse 20). "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." Joseph became Prime Minister of Egypt and rescued the nation during a severe famine.
Although no-one wants to suffer, Christians find that the experience may draw them closer to God, as they experience his help and peace through difficult times. The Bible says (2 Corinthians chapter 1 verse 5) "The more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ."
The suffering of others is an opportunity for Christians to help. We can show and share God's love in practical ways - especially if we understand the person we are helping because of our own experiences. "When God comforts us, it is so that we in turn can be an encouragement." (2 Corinthians chapter 1 verse 6)
In the Bible it is made clear that God cares about what happens to the poor and needy and that He hates injustice and selfishness that causes suffering. As Jesus suffered as a human, even dying on the cross, God understands what it is to suffer and sympathises with and identifies with those who are suffering.
Christians believe that some suffering can change us for good and make us more like Jesus. It can help us understand the suffering of others....
2007-02-11 08:42:03 · answer #2 · answered by Randy G 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We have suffering in the world because we manufacture it. Yes, He can stop it, and one day He will, though it will take a pretty drastic solution. Meanwhile, our world, with all its vice and cruelty, is the way WE made it. If we all served the Lord and obeyed His word, and took him up on His gift of salvation, evil could not flourish in this world. But most people are too busy fighting Him or arguing with Him to listen to Him. And God did not make us to be mindless robot slaves- He had something much nobler in mind for us. Therefore He gives us the choice of the kind of world we live in. We've sure done well without Him, haven't we?
2007-02-10 06:38:07 · answer #3 · answered by Amalthea 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
And how exactly is God "making" "us" suffer???? We all chose to come to this earth, we decided we wanted to gain a body. Every person who ever lived or will live made that choice. Living on this earth, though, means we are subject to good things and bad things that will happen...some outcomes are based on our own choices and some are based on others choices (usually the bad stuff)...it's part of being on this earth. God cannot MAKE anyone do anything, He would not be a just God if he took away our agency. He has to allow every person to make their own choices, whether good or bad. Bad things happen...but so can good things.
2007-02-10 06:53:11 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe God created us as we create our own children. We as our children are given the ultimate freedom of free will. It is up to all involved to understand the consequences of decisions made with total disregard of lessons taught
2007-02-10 06:32:38 · answer #5 · answered by cameron m 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This life is for the development of the soul. It is your opportunity to prepare for the next world. You are here for almost no time at all and gone from here for eternity.
Find out why you are here and take action.
2007-02-10 06:28:58 · answer #6 · answered by regmor12 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He could... however all suffering is the consequence of people's actions. Suffering is part of our test to see how we deal with it.
2007-02-10 10:29:28 · answer #7 · answered by Beast8981 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He is a judgmental and humanity-hating SOB. Conservative Christians take it a step further and loathe themselves as well. Of course, they enjoy the torture and killing as much as their God does. Their mission is to spread misery and suffering to all of mankind.
2007-02-10 06:32:32 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
99% of you life is good. Why focus on that 1%?
2007-02-10 06:25:03 · answer #9 · answered by Shinigami 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I notice that this has been answered many times already. Why didn't you?
2007-02-10 06:25:12 · answer #10 · answered by rgtheisen2003 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋