Watch the video Why Does God Allow Suffering? Why Does God Let Us Suffer? Learn From God’s Word. As we are conformed to His image, we will increasingly learn to obey God (Rom. In contrast to human rulership, God’s rule benefits those who accept it. But we do know that God loves each person who is suffering, and that He does have each person’s eternal best interests in mind. The curious, as well as the critics of Christianity, ask this question. TERMS OF USE THE WATCHTOWER February 2008. Here is the classic statement of the problem. Share For example, R. J. Rummel, emeritus professor at the University of Hawaii, U.S.A., estimates that from 1900 to 1987, various governments murdered 169,198,000 people during political purges, genocides, and indiscriminate acts of violence. This was heaven and earth before the fall. (Ecclesiastes 7:29; 8:9) After 6,000 years of human history, the evidence is clear. It Reminds Us of the Reality of Sin. How so? Jesus indicted him with these words: “That one was a manslayer when he began, and he did not stand fast in the truth, because truth is not in him. “Far be it from the true God to act wickedly!” states the Bible. Read these Top 9 Bible Verses-Why Does God Allow Suffering? Jesus called Satan “the ruler of the world.” True, Jehovah is the Universal Sovereign. The resurrection of Jesus is an example of God’s victory over the works of the Devil​—a token of what is to come for humans who choose God’s rule. On the proposition that the presence of suffering rules out the existence of a benevolent God, I’d ask what humanity would be if God didn’t allow suffering. The Bible provides a satisfying and comforting answer. This tract tackles a very sincere and tough question, one that’s been called the skeptics’ “silver bullet.” If God is loving and all-powerful and could end suffering, disease, and death, why hasn’t He? Many bullies and tyrants who inflict pain are unwilling to change their ways. That … Things are not as they should be. —Isaiah 11:9; Read Daniel 2:44. Or He is all good but He is not all-powerful, therefore He can’t stop evil. Share * TODAY’S young people have been born into a cruel world. Satan still fosters murderous attitudes in the hearts of mankind. This article raises questions you may have asked and shows where you can read the answers in your Bible. Suffering forces us to turn from trust in our own resources to living by faith in God’s resources. Consider three important Biblical truths related to this matter. But suffering is not just a problem for Christians. That position he will never relinquish. For a limited time, Jehovah has allowed rebellion against his sovereignty. Let us imagine that a Witness named Michelle has come to the home of a woman named Sophia. Satan, a rebel angel, called God a liar.  |  Jehovah wants to do the same for you. God didn’t intend for humans to suffer. THE WATCHTOWER February 2008, Share Over the next two days, we’ll look at other reasons God may allow painful seasons in our life. Many ask why the world is so full of hatred and suffering. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that … True, for now, Satan has the world in his evil grip. God has nothing to do with it, and therefore one cannot find comfort in God’s will or purpose when painful things occur, for that would be to “blame” God. Why would a powerful and loving God allow suffering, evil and death? What do you think? They made themselves his children by acting like him. Human rulers have failed to eliminate war, crime, injustice, or disease. One of the most pressing challenges to Christianity is the problem of evil. Jehovah’s sense of justice required that time be allowed for evidence to accumulate. Why Does God Allow Suffering? What is God doing? Each of us knows firsthand what it means to suffer as a result of … At the beginning of human history, Adam and Eve sided with Satan. Satan wreaks havoc on human society in profound ways. God also helped him to get a clearer understanding of matters and to gain greater faith. 3:11) and to teach them (Prov. How and when will he do this? The former things have passed away.”​—Revelation 21:3, 4. —Read Jeremiah 10:23; Romans 9:17. God allows evil to occur partly for reasons we do know and partly for those we do not. Why me? Publication download options Why Does God Allow Evil and Suffering? Those who learn of God’s standards and live by them have the prospect of living forever.​—John 17:3; 1 John 2:17. We live in a world in which good and evil are at play on the world stage and in every human being. Copyright © 2021 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. Suffering is not in itself virtuous, nor is it a sign of holiness. 15:32). 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