the sick or maybe a child that is abused. This situations confuse me.
2007-05-23 16:31:36 · 15 answers · asked by fantastica 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Yes, but you have to look at those things in the context of why there is evil in the world.
Why does evil exist? This unavoidable and painful question can be adequately responded to only by the entire story of Christian faith, which includes the goodness of creation, the drama of sin, God's Covenants, the sendings of Jesus and the Spirit, and the founding of the Church. It includes the sacraments and the invitation to eternal life (which mysteriously can be rejected by anyone). Every aspect of Christian life is part of the answer to this question of evil.
God did not create a perfect world. In fact, God could have created a better world (St. Thomas Aquinas). God created this world "in a state of journeying." The more perfect exists alongside the less perfect. Nature has both constructive and destructive forces. Physical good will always be mixed with physical evil until creation reaches perfection.
Angels and men can freely choose to go astray. God never causes moral evil, either directly or indirectly. He permits moral evil because he respects man's freedom and knows how to draw good out of evil. "We know that in everything, God works for good for those who love him" (Rom 8:28). "God would never allow any evil if he could not cause good to emerge from it" (St. Augustine).
It takes time to see how God draws good from a moral evil. After being sold into slavery, Joseph told his brothers, "It was not you who sent me here, but God. You meant evil, but God meant it for good" (Gen 45:8, 50:20). God used Jesus' death (the greatest moral evil) for our redemption.
Nevertheless, evil never becomes a good.
The saints witness to God drawing good out of evil. "Some rebel against what happens to them but God does nothing without the salvation of man in mind" (St. Catherine of Siena). "Nothing can come but that God wills" (St. Thomas More). "The Lord showed me that all manner of things shall be well" (Julian of Norwich).
Because we have only partial knowledge, many aspects of God's providence are hidden from us.
Peace and blessings!
2007-05-23 17:04:43 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, yes, I do.
See, God had a perfect plan for everyone before creation. He planned every one of us before the world was created. That's how much He loves us (Jeremiah 1).
However, He also knew that sin would come in and suffering would be a consequence of people's choices. He doesn't like it or condone it but in a broken world, He can use even the worst of circumstances and turn it around.
1) Take Jesus for example. His suffering was planned out so that He could sympathize with our pain and be the ultimate sacrifice as well. It needn't have happened but it was suffering borne out of love for a fallen humanity.
2) A Filipino lady I worked with on a mission trip in Africa helped me understand a bit more about suffering. Her name's Joy but her childhood was far from it. She was the daughter of a mistress. Her mom, a very angry and frustrated woman because she was the second one, would take it out on her and abuse her. And to make things worse, her own father took an unhealthy interest in her when she hit puberty.
This suffering was unnecessary and naturally unfair. But as time went on, she found healing and was released from her trauma.
Now what happened was she and I and some others were asked to visit a village in South Africa. As she shared this story, I wondered why. Then I saw the effect it had. I saw teenage girls who were abused smile and their faces light up. I saw women tear up and cry because someone understood what they went through. I saw people find healing.
Another guy had no arms and legs and was rejected by Christian parents at birth. But when God helped him conquer all this, he grew to be a confident 20-year-old that inspires many people to live life to the fullest. He didn't let his disabilities stop him.
The fact is that suffering will always exist whether we like it or not. It's unfair, it's mostly senseless, it's horrifying and should never be. But because this suffering exists, there is a need for an antidote. Sometimes, it takes a broken person to help someone else pick up the pieces. It takes someone who knows what you're going through to help you out of a mess because he/she knows the way.
In a broken world, God will use anything He can to bring love and healing, even suffering if it is needed.
2007-05-23 23:54:13 · answer #2 · answered by Studier Alpha 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Some people that have suffered have really influenced my life with what they have said and written. Some how pain and suffering fit into God's plan. IT seems some people suffer a lot and some people hardly suffer at all. It seems though that those that suffer are a lot easier to talk to and get common ground with. I liked your question. God really does have a plan for everybody, though some of them suffer not ho He would have wanted them to.
2007-05-23 23:52:57 · answer #3 · answered by Matthew Payne 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He does have a plan for everybody. He has a plan for everyone, just like He has a plan for you and me. He exalts those who suffer. He gives favor to them. We may not see His purpose now, but sooner or later, everything will work for the better. He knows what is best. Just trust Him. He looks down at us, sure of what He has planned for our future. God bless you.
2007-05-23 23:42:00 · answer #4 · answered by hellofriend! 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Every man, woman and child has suffered and I promise you we all have something to do. God has a plan for us all
2007-05-23 23:38:05 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd hate to know that God planned the R&S section of Yahoo Answers. Of course, it could be proof that God has a sense of humor.
2007-05-23 23:36:52 · answer #6 · answered by Turnhog 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think we each have a plan for ourselves - even those who suffer. I think we come here of our own choice to learn things that can only be learned here. I think our essence comes again and again to learn the different perspectives on life and I think that the bravest of us do come to learn about suffering and hardship. That's what I think anyway.
Peace!
2007-05-23 23:53:58 · answer #7 · answered by carole 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well from what I read, he had a plan for Jesus, and he suffered most of all!! I actually just read a book my dad sent me, the purpose driven life, and it says, that all our most hurtfull times, everything is for a reason, maybe someday we could help others who have suffered the same hurts.
2007-05-23 23:35:00 · answer #8 · answered by Kathy C 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
God has a plan for His Children.
Absolutely !
2007-05-23 23:38:31 · answer #9 · answered by pinkstealth 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes i do. also some say that we wrote our own life plans before coming down to earth to be born. that we have written out our lives ahead of time to learn certian lessons in life.
things are just as they should be - always.
2007-05-23 23:36:17 · answer #10 · answered by i_lovenewyorkjcd 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋