https://www.facebook.com/groups/muchgrace/
(2 Corinthians 1:3) “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble…”
This week will be about difficult questions that Christians back away from the most. (Please feel free to join in with whatever wisdom you have received.)
**QUESTION 1** If GOD is so loving, why does He permit suffering and evil in the world?
This is a deep question that many people struggle with. To understand it, we need to consider an essential part of our Christian faith: the belief in free will. This means that everyone has the ability to make their own choices—including those that can cause harm and suffering.
Whether we like this fact or not is immaterial; this freedom is proven to be essential for genuine love and relationships—even though it can also open the door to the presence of evil in the world.
Additionally, we Christians believe that the world is affected by sin, a state of separation from GOD that entered through humanity's disobedience. As we've seen in recent blogs, this fallen nature contributes massively to the suffering and injustice we experience.
Having said all that, many of us can testify to finding comforting hope in the belief that GOD is intimately present with us in our pain—the life of Jesus certainly exemplifies this, as He certainly experienced suffering and sorrow.
However, GOD promises to be near the brokenhearted and offers comfort through the Holy Spirit that He has freely given us. In my own life, I can testify that suffering can serve a purpose, leading to personal growth and deeper empathy. We Christians also hold onto the hope of eternal life, believing that one day our GOD will ultimately eradicate all suffering and evil.
So, while some aspects of suffering may remain a mystery, faith in GOD to 'do what's best', calls believers to trust in GOD’s goodness and wisdom, even in the midst of trials.
+++
Let us pray, "Heavenly Father, we come to You grappling with the question of suffering and evil in our world. Help us understand the gift of free will and its role in our choices, recognising that it is essential for love and relationships. In our struggles, remind us that You are always by our side, offering comfort through the Holy Spirit. We are truly grateful for the hope we find in You, especially in times of pain or loss. May our suffering lead us to grow in empathy and compassion for others. Help us to trust in Your Goodness and Wisdom as You continually set people who come to You free from evil." Amen!
+++
URGENT PRAYER REQUESTS (Please keep checking as more are being added almost daily)