If God loves us, then why does he allow terrible things to happen to us?

Question

I believe in God. I very much do. I'm not trying to be selfish, or anything like that. But I'm just wondering... if God loves us so much, then how come he allows terrible things to happen to us? Previously, I went to a bible camp, and they told us that God put us through "tests", where terrible things happen to us. This didn't make much sense to me, because if God loves us so much, how could he allow and plan to have pain come to us?

Please, no negative comments. I'm not trying to be rude, I'm just trying to understand.

Answer 1

Free will plays a big part. We reap what we sow;You have sex you may get pregnant. Sin and free will plays a big part.

Also sometimes God allow bad to happen to shape us to be more like him. Sometimes it takes us to get on our knees to submit ourselves to him.
Also How can we be sympathetic to other people if only good things happen for us.
I've been though "hell" for 10 years, sickness of family members and a daughter with a disability that broke my heart. Cried buckets of tears but this has helped ME. I'm not so cocky. My heart is softer when it comes to kids with disabilities. I've changed. God changed me. "All thing work for HIS good" Remember that.It's not about us, it's about him.
God bless you dear
†

Answer 2

Dear Abby,

People of various religions have gone to their religious leaders and teachers to ask why there is so much suffering. Often, the response is that suffering is God’s will and that he long ago determined everything that would ever happen, including tragic events. Many are told that God’s ways are mysterious or that he brings death upon people—even children—so that he can have them in heaven with him. As you probably know, though, Jehovah God never causes what is bad. The Bible says: “Far be it from the true God to act wickedly, and the Almighty to act unjustly!”—Job 34:10.

Do you know why people make the mistake of blaming God for all the suffering in the world? In many cases, they blame Almighty God because they think that he is the real ruler of this world. They do not know a simple but important truth that the Bible teaches. The real ruler of this world is Satan the Devil.
The Bible clearly states: “The whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one.” (1 John 5:19) When you think about it, does that not make sense? This world reflects the personality of the invisible spirit creature who is “misleading the entire inhabited earth.” (Revelation 12:9) Satan is hateful, deceptive, and cruel. So the world, under his influence, is full of hatred, deceit, and cruelty. That is one reason why there is so much suffering.

A second reason why there is so much suffering is that, mankind has been imperfect and sinful ever since the rebellion in the garden of Eden. Sinful humans tend to struggle for dominance, and this results in wars, oppression, and suffering. (Ecclesiastes 4:1; 8:9) A third reason for suffering is “time and unforeseen occurrence.” (Ecclesiastes 9:11) In a world without Jehovah as a protective Ruler, people may suffer because they happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

It is comforting for us to know that God does not cause suffering. He is not responsible for the wars, the crimes, the oppression, or even the natural disasters that cause people to suffer. Still, we need to know, Why does Jehovah allow all this suffering? If he is the Almighty, he has the power to stop it. Why, then, does he hold back? The loving God that we have come to know must have a good reason.—1 John 4:8.

To find out why God allows suffering, we need to think back to the time when suffering began. When Satan led Adam and Eve into disobeying Jehovah, an important question was raised. Satan did not call into question Jehovah’s power. Even Satan knows that there is no limit to Jehovah’s power. Rather, Satan questioned Jehovah’s right to rule. By calling God a liar who withholds good from his subjects, Satan charged that Jehovah is a bad ruler. (Genesis 3:2-5) Satan implied that mankind would be better off without God’s rulership. This was an attack on Jehovah’s sovereignty, his right to rule.

Let us consider an illustration. Imagine that a teacher is telling his students how to solve a difficult problem. A clever but rebellious student claims that the teacher’s way of solving the problem is wrong. Implying that the teacher is not capable, this rebel insists that he knows a much better way to solve the problem. Some students think that he is right, and they also become rebellious. What should the teacher do? If he throws the rebels out of the class, what will be the effect on the other students? Will they not believe that their fellow student and those who joined him are right? All the other students in the class might lose respect for the teacher, thinking that he is afraid of being proved wrong. But suppose that the teacher allows the rebel to show the class how he would solve the problem.

Jehovah has done something similar to what the teacher does. Remember that the rebels in Eden were not the only ones involved. Millions of angels were watching. (Job 38:7; Daniel 7:10) How Jehovah handled the rebellion would greatly affect all those angels and eventually all intelligent creation. So, what has Jehovah done? He has allowed Satan to show how he would rule mankind. God has also allowed humans to govern themselves under Satan’s guidance.

The teacher in our illustration knows that the rebel and the students on his side are wrong. But he also knows that allowing them the opportunity to try to prove their point will benefit the whole class. When the rebels fail, all honest students will see that the teacher is the only one qualified to lead the class. They will understand why the teacher thereafter removes any rebels from the class. Similarly, Jehovah knows that all honesthearted humans and angels will benefit from seeing that Satan and his fellow rebels have failed and that humans cannot govern themselves. Like Jeremiah of old, they will learn this vital truth: “I well know, O Jehovah, that to earthling man his way does not belong. It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step.”—Jeremiah 10:23.

Answer 3

In all thy getting get understanding. The choices we make when we do not wait on God to speak cause a detour in our path. If we would wlk the way he wants the path is easier, however we don't always hint the mark and we go the back roads without 4 wheel drive. God does test us because he does not want just lip service but your heart. It's like when you where in school, to get from one level of math to the other you had to past the test to so you new what was required. He will not allow you to move up if you have a problem with the little things. Because of his Love for you He won't allow anything to come to you where he may lose you. Your to important. Bad things happen to good people to. In his word he promised that what the enemy meant for evil he would turn around for your good. And even though we don't understand that's when we lean to him. He said he knew the plans for you of good and not evil. Just know he's in control of it all. Your the apple of his eye.

Answer 4

Have you ever met a person who has had NO troubles, and is completely protected from the world? Do they even seem real to you? Do they seem to have any substance of personality?

This point aside, everything in the world is relative, without the bad, there would be no good whatsoever. It would simply be. In order for anybody to enjoy life, the have to appreciate the less desirable aspects of life.

And the issue is less than why does he let the bad things happen, but why do others do the bad things.

YOU have done some of these bad things and the only way for God to have prevented this would have been to control you. The control would be counter productive however, because if God was to control everybody, they would cease to be themselves, and in effect die. They would not be able to appreciate the absence of the bad things.

Please, answer me this, If God loves us, then why would he prevent the terrible things from happening?

NOTE:
Don't like my answer? Love my answer? Please E-Mail me and tell me why.

Answer 5

An excellent question! As far as I'm concerned, those descriptions of God are badly mistaken, and I'm happy for those who reject such notions. I also think you've got a good handle on the problem--except that you've mistaken the attitudes of some theists for God's attitude. The Christian God is not just the creator and rule of the universe. He's also the ultimate standard of morality. It follows that he is better than any of the people who preach about him. He is, most particularly, a lot better than the people who depict him as an instrument of their own ill will. The Hebrew scripture started out with an idea of God that was not much different from the usual occupants of pagan pantheons: he was mostly concerned with his own status, with elbowing other gods out of the way, and with demanding devotion from humans. He was a little different, in that he was more exclusive, not sharing his followers with any other gods. And he made a particular claim on the speakers of Hebrew. But quite a few of the later Hebrew scriptures started to refine that notion. Their God was exclusive BECAUSE he was somehow better than other gods. He was more real (Isaiah). He was the god of all nations, not just the Hebrew speakers (Jeremiah). He was a loving god (David). He was less concerned with ritual worship than with decency and social equity (Amos). Slowly, these writers worked on the question of what would really make a god the ultimate God. Eventually, they had developed the idea of a God who was good, and that was what made him important. That is the idea that Jesus preached. He didn't introduce it--it was a popular notion in first-century Judean religion. But he did develop it into a direct challenge to religion as an institution. And there is actually nothing recorded in his teaching that says God "will send you to hell for doubting his holy word." What he described was a God who takes extraordinary measures to keep us from wandering into hell on our own. Some Christians, and some Christian preachers, fail to understand this. Somehow, they were raised with the idea that a "moody, abusive parent" was all we could expect, and so that's how they depict God. In my view, they are wrong. And there are many, many Christians who see it about the same way as I do. ‘A man can’t be taken to hell, or sent to hell: you can only get there on your own steam.’ -- C.S. Lewis, "The Dark Tower" [unfinished novel] Roper: My god wants service, to the end and unremitting; nothing else! More: Are you sure that’s God? He sounds like Moloch. -- Robert Bolt, "A Man for All Seasons"

Answer 6

I suggest you read the Book of Job. Why did God allow His Son to be crucified? Why did all the apostles suffer martyrdom? Why are Christians being persecuted by the millions in Communist and Muslim lands?
We are in a lost world that is racing towards judgment. God will soon enough destroy the wicked and deal with His enemies, particularly the one the Bible calls the "god of this age" (see II Corinthians 4:4), and bring relief to His people. There are many things people suffer that are the direct result of their own actions. Their are those who are oppressed by Satan and his agents because they have never been taught to resist the devil. So there are many causes of suffering. It is unwise to lump it all together and try to find a simple answer. If you are humble and sincere and approach God in godly fear and reverence He can teach you not only how to alleviate some of the suffering in your own life, but also in the lives of others.

Answer 7

Because God gave us free will to decide things for ourselves, He must also allow the results of those decisions to be on us. Mankind causes the horrible things you spoke of, not God. And yes, some of what happens to you is a test...but not one that is initially set up by God. Sometimes I believe He just waits to see how you are going to handle a situation that has come to you. i.e. Are you going to have faith in Him and do it his way, or are you going to just try to leave Him out of the loop and try to do it your way?

Often we think to ourselves that We did nothing to deserve these bad things and most times you would be right in thinking that. However, we do not live alone on this planet and the evil that some do often affect us as well. Like a drunk driver running into another car and killing or crippling the occupants.

Answer 8

First of all, u r correct in wondering this. Most people get shot down b/c of just a little doubt. God created the POTENTIAL for evil, b/c He gave us freedom of choice, and w/o choice love is meaningless. The fact that God created the potential for evil by granting us freedom of choice ultimately will lead to the best of all possible worlds -- "no more death or mourning or crying or pain" (Revelation 21:4) Those who choose Christ will be redeemed from evil by His goodness and will forever be able NOT to sin.

Answer 9

The Word says that the trial of our faith being much more precious than that of gold that perishes though it be tried with fire might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ (1Peter 1:7). Asking "why" is like the athlete who demands that the coach explain why they are "forced" to run the bleachers for 2 hours, or laps until they hurt and are throwing up or forced to play even though injured etc. God is a "coach" and He is training us for eternity - pushing us to be more than we are. Growing us up into the image of Christ, developing a strong faith that withstands any onslaught of the enemy and preparing us for the day of the "gold medal" reward before the Father's throne, the Angels and all of creation (the spiritual "Olympics"). It is not those who just finish the race but those that do it "lawfully" or play by the rules and are not "fouled out." Let God do what God needs to do in you, to bring you to a place of ultimate victory with honor and develop you into that spiritual "athlete" that He knows you can be!

Answer 10

There is no real answer. All the answers you'll get from people who fancy themselves to be "religious" will be in the nature of the "test" excuse. The rest will say - somewhat more reasonably, it must be admitted - that God doesn't exist.

As I always say, if we believe that "God" is a Being omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent, then the whole idea of "rebellion" against God is nonsense. You can't rebel against somebody who knows everything, and who actually must've created you with the germ of your rebellion already within you. So there goes the "rebel angel" Satan as an excuse. If Satan exists, then He must be an agent of the all-powerful, all-knowing God, so it's pointless to blame human suffering on him - you're just back to blaming it on God. "Original Sin" as an excuse for suffering is also thrown by the wayside. "Free will," again, is impossible, or at least illusory, if God is all-knowing. All the characteristic excuses of religious people are just that - excuses, which self-destruct on even the most superficial examination.

Answer 11

have u seen a diamond?? how shiny and beautiful it looks doesn't it?
did u know that a diamond ore looks dirtier than a rock.diamond ore is dug out is cleaned its polished and all then it becomes its real self,the costly,lovely diamond.that every human being would love to have.
u should have got my point by now.So,since god has made u to live like a diamond,he should get u out from the ore.these difficulties are just to polish u up.In fact i believe everything that happens with us in our life is for own own good.think like that always when anything bad happens to you.try to think in what way it has done u good.then u'll feel good,u'll feel all the difficulties going away from you. wait till u become a beautiful diamond,u diamond ore!!.