For example, when we look at the crucifixion of Jesus, which is the means by which we are saved from our sins, we see that it was a result of people doing bad things to Jesus. Trauma is a distressing, painful, or shocking experience that causes harmful psychological, physiological, or spiritual effects. Y'all please check out their fic . Second Peter 3:9 reads: "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. For now, we must hold onto the hope that our suffering is temporary. Ive been able to offer comfort for them and point them to Jesus because I know what theyre going through. Giving People a Theology of Suffering Common Challenges Jesus told his followers, "Go and make disciples of all nations." Pastors know well that no two people under their care are in the same place. And our actions brought evil and suffering into the world. I've served as a missionary, a pastor, and as a pastoral counselor. Question Why does God allow evil? I would say that he was God and he had his purposes. When you first got married, you laughed all the time with your spouse. Well we cant fully answer that question on this side of heaven. After driving through the confusion of the fog for so long, that image struck me with poignancy I'll never forget. In Genesis 1:31 God looks over His creation and declares it VERY good. There are women stepping forward, having been profoundly healed and brought to a deep and profound trust in the sovereignty of God, who are willing to say that at those moments God was not powerless. Want articles like this one delivered straight to your email? The world is filled with suffering of every kind. We grow psychologically and we become more spiritually mature. Do you want to love and know God better and better every day? God does much more than sympathize with you in your troubles. It either drives us closer to God or makes us bitter at God. You just need to believe more. Or the millions that have no access to basic human needs. If we did not feel pain, we would often just allow our hearts to remain broken and wounded. ( Matthew 27:46) From our limited human perspective, pain and suffering seem contrary to our idea of a sovereign God who is good and loving. I wrote my first novel last year. Maybe you've never asked why our world is infected with pain and suffering, but my guess is you will when they strike you or a loved one with full force. He'll offer you practical guidance for developing a deeper level of intimacy and connection with your spouse. The location of the pain and type of pain you experience in your body was put their by God so you can know what is wrong with you and what you need to do to take care of yourself. Most kids in foster care are forced to use trash bags to move. A friend wins the lottery and gives you $100 million. And that has resulted in the introduction of evil into the world. God is loving. The psalmist declared, "The earth is full of your lovingkindness, O Lord" (Psalm 119:64). If God can take the very worst circumstance imaginable and turn it into the very best situation possible, can he not take the negative circumstances of your life and create something good from them? Why did God allow this? God wants us to be pure so we will remain intimately close to him, for as Jesus said in Matthew 5:8, Blessed arethe pure in heart, forthey shall see God.. If it did would you share this post with a friend or two? There are so many tragic stories, so much pain. And frankly, the people suffering from the Aurora tragedy don't need a big theological treatise right now; any intellectual response is going to seem trite and inadequate. I have a Master's Degree in Pastoral Counseling, I've been married since 2008, we have two wild children, and we live in Cleveland, Ohio. Finally, the fifth point of light: We decide whether to turn bitter or turn to God for peace and courage. But often doubt that God can use our suffering for anything of value. The paperback version is available for $12.99. We love stories of other peoples suffering being used for good. We need the fuller story. So love is the highest value in the universe. It was asked in the Old Testament by Job and the writers of the Psalms, and it was especially relevant during the 20th Century, where we witnessed two World Wars, the Holocaust, genocides in the Soviet Union and China, devastating famines in Africa, the killing fields of Cambodia, the emergence of AIDS, the genocide in Rwanda and the ethnic cleansing of Kosovo. In relaxing this grip, ketamine allows the brain's pyramidal cells to become more active and more interactive. It states: Blessed be theGod and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies andGod of all comfort,who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. It would be an oversimplification to say that God causes all the suffering in our lives or that we alone cause all the pain in our lives. in a minute. He was despised and rejected of men. He makes the solemn pledge that he will take the bad circumstances that befall us and cause good to emerge if we're committed to following him. It searches for situations that are similar to past hurts so we can avoid them. For most adoptive parents. Take the Position of Trust And thats the Gospel, right? They may have even gone through something horrible and tragic and experienced psychological trauma from it. Its so exciting! Are you despised? All suffering includes pain, but not all pain is suffering. Instead of always removing that trouble, God sometimes chooses to give only spiritual comfort. Something we cannot see or even understand? You can also be a role model for how to share thoughts and feelings. In other words, we are born in a fallen and sinful world because of Adams sin. Why does God allow suffering? Thus we cannot, or should not, trust Him. He is indeed our Jehovah Rapha who delivers us out of any brokenness and . A lot. She said that she has struggled with this for most of her fifty or so years, and that at this point she can see things that she could not have known, loved, or experienced of God (or ministered to others) had this not happened to her. Let me finish the story of Leslie and I driving through the fog in Wisconsin. Remember, children believe in Santa, Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy. Some of his lies that lead to unhealthy psychological decision making are: Granted, the world is a harsh place. 4:4. If God loves us, why do we suffer? Trauma is the result of something bad happening, I believe that we can all agree on. Why has he . How can I trust God's goodness when he allowed me to be abused? June 10, 2022 When you think about suffering, what comes to mind? Of course, serious injury is a pretty vague term. Focus on the Family has created a free five-part video course called "Cherish Your Spouse" featuring best-selling author Gary Thomas. Many people wonder: "If God has the power to eradicate evil and suffering, then why doesn't he do it? But first we need to understand what suffering is and isnt. The sooner you acknowledge the true source of the emotional suffering you are going through and then address that issue with the Lord, the sooner the emotional suffering will go away. We then ignore it and act like it was really not a big deal. God is completely in control yet we are completely free to act. Bedsores, bitterness toward God, grueling therapy even to be able to sit in a wheelchairand through it all, the haunting question: Why? We would see things quite differently. In John 16:33 he said, "You will have suffering in this world." The mind that experiences a trauma determines whether it will be traumatic or not. Theme Scripture: Ephesians 1:9-10 Tragedy hurts. God is fully aware of their suffering. But they can be very uncomfortable. We can trust in His goodness even in the midst of our suffering. He didnt give a lecture on why suffering exists, rather He says Im with you and I will not leave you. And, therefore, your sufferings are his sufferings; your sorrow is his sorrow. But God sees the bigger picture and one day He will reveal it to us. The second point of light: Though suffering isn't good, God can use it to accomplish good. Most people in the world have no experience of lasting joy in their lives. The boy said, "Seventeen." Why Does God Allow Suffering? Hi, I'm Mark Ballenger and I'm so happy you've come to ApplyGodsWord.com. We were driving up the highway in the dark, when it started raining heavily and we hit dense fog. I have conquered the world.". Deuteronomy 22:25-27 safeguarded the survivor of sexual assault from being unjustly blamed or ignored. He is also the founder of Lighthouse Network. They may have even gone through something horrible and tragic. Father. Spouses may come to a new marriage with emotional baggage. While pain and suffering are never enjoyable, God often allows them in our lives because he loves us so much, he is willing to allow us to experience short term problems so we will reap long-term pleasures in him. It was frightening! Not only is He in control, Hes a good God that is working things for His glory and our benefit. So what's holding God up? 1. Listen to methat is not to deny the reality of your pain in this life. Sign up for our newsletter: Many have walked away from their faith because of the suffering theyve experienced. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need., 3 Signs God Is Saying, I Want You Single for. A great way to process and heal from trauma, as well as engage with God, is Christian trauma counseling. A near-overwhelming focus of the Hebrew Scriptures, and the Scriptures written after Christ, is on trauma and the struggle to live in its wake. Just as a person's body can be physically ill, an individual's chemical composition can be unbalanced. Because you knew there was also the potential for tremendous joy and deep love and great meaning. In fact, it helps your child grow confidence in himself, you, and God. being cut from the cheerleading squad, basketball team, or choir when all your close friends made it. In other words, we are born in a fallen and sinful world because of Adam's sin. It says the day will come when sickness and pain will be eradicated and people will be held accountable for the evil they've committed. You can't be fruitful if you neglect the Source. But before you decide just consider that God didnt spare Himself, He entered into suffering Himself. Jesus is there in the lowest places of our lives. So one reason God allows us to suffer emotionally is so we will be better equipped to help others in their times of need as well. 2 Corinthians 4:4 says that the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, so they will not see the CARM is a nonprofit, non-denominational, multi-staffed Christian Apologetics Ministry that supports evangelism, radio outreach, and provides full-time support for several foreign missionaries. Another explanation as to why God allows bad things to happen is due to Adamic representation. When we look back at the story of Adam and Eve in the Bible, the world was peaceful and without strife in the Garden. In Romans 8:28 the Bible promises, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.". God enters into our suffering in his pursuit of us. You can check it out here: Lee Strobel Reflecting On A Mass Shooting. This answers the question you hear so often: "Why didn't God merely create a world where tragedy and suffering didn't exist?" For example, He does not want people to lie, but he permits them to lie. After all, any close friend can do that. And the 21st Century didn't start any better. For now, in this life, we see things imperfectly. Death doesn't have the last word anymore. While we know mental illness can be the direct result of God humbling a people group or an individual, it can also simply be the result of living this side of heaven. You can rescue a couple from the brink of divorce and restore a family! He set out on a path to redeem humanity. Maybe you're suffering from a physical ailment or heartache at this very moment. God knew we'd rebel against him, but he also knew many people would choose to follow him and have a relationship with him and spend eternity in heaven with him. The things that we might cons ider bad, such as getting robbed or breaking a leg by falling down some stairs, would both be bad. God May Be Allowing You to Suffer Emotionally So You Will Be Better Equipped to Help Others in Their Times of Need. These make it more difficult to process the next hurt properly, increasing the probability that the hurt crosses the threshold from healthy learning experience into a damaging traumatic experience. And she described her abuse for several years as a child. Your child may be tempted to think that life, like some lopsided game, has been decided because of these traumatic events. The megachurch, known for its popular Elevation Music, has voluntarily withdrawn two weeks after the recent Southern Baptist annual meeting. The Impact of Silencing Research indicates that when abuse victims feel like they can't or shouldn't talk about their experiences, their trauma can worsen. Who but the sovereign God can take an abused woman, a woman who emotionally has been so hurt that she is incapable of loving God or men right nowwho else but a sovereign God could take her and, five or ten years from now, have her whole and able to be married, able to love, and able to have sex with delight instead of horror? We demand answers and that God fixes our problem(s). He had been in and out of hospitals his whole lifeand yet he made the astounding comment that he thinks God is fair. Words can't describe the joy and the delight and the fulfillment! Why do all of these horrific things happen if there's a loving and powerful God? Why does God allow suffering? This would mean that God is allowing the consequences of sin to run their course in the world, which includes bad things. So, what do we know about why does God allow suffering? Things were becoming clearer, we could see better, and as we rounded a curve, silhouetted against the night sky, guess what we saw? The Bible says, "Great is the mystery of godliness" (1 Timothy 3:16). Reconciling how a good and loving God could allow such pain in their lives (or someone close) is difficult. But Scripture does address the issue of suffering. And I'm so grateful that so many churches and ministries of this community are helping them experience that. But love requires a choice. A friend betrayed you. Even though we can't understand everything about it, I believe we can understand some things. Because he has conquered the world! Your childs life may not be going the way they want it to. There was 9/11 and now the Syrian slaughters, and on and on. He knows what you are experiencing and wants to walk with you through it. When our brain is exposed to an intense situation of potential danger, God uses our emotions as a warning system. for less than $4.25/month. Receiving God's Healing when Painful Memories Resurface 'He restores my soul' (Ps 23:3) If something has triggered the flashback of a traumatic memory, here are some thoughts to help you process it: 1. Husband. Get your copy for today for FREE with a donation of any amount! It includes scripture and questions to discuss with someone close to you, who can support you in conquering your bad habits. But look at it this way. But you can help. Making and growing disciples involves taking peoples spiritual temperature, helping them confront and address sin, guiding them to develop a love for Scripture, and much more. We make the choice to either run away from God or to run to him. It's completely free - my gift to you. All rights reserved. Pain is, in most cases, a good thing. For even Jesus became our greatest source of comfort through the sufferings he endured himself. When a distressing situation occurs, we want to know whether a present danger exists or whether the present situation only slightly resembles a past danger. Though there is sorrow and grieving today, God brings mercies in the morning fresh and renewed. Let's just trust him now, look to him now, and see all the resources that are in him nowin the cross and in the wordbecause that is our only hope for the future. Here are 3 possible reason God is allowing you to go through emotional suffering and pain in your life. Let them know God is the Author of great comebacks. We want your marriage to be thriving and healthy. Answer The Bible describes God as holy ( Isaiah 6:3 ), righteous ( Psalm 7:11 ), just ( Deuteronomy 32:4 ), and sovereign ( Daniel 4:17-25 ). But in heaven, after 354,484,545 days of pure blissand with an infinite more to comeif someone asked, "So, how has your existence been? He knows it will bring little comfort. In other words, we've only read half the book! Philip Yancey in The Question that Never Goes Away. Because of love. I know most of us wouldnt say that. Of course, its not just physical pain that brings about suffering, nonphysical suffering is often silent, but just as painful. Thankfully the Bible offers a better answer to the question: why does God allow suffering? ", you'd instantly react by saying, "It has been absolutely wonderful! Reid asked him, "How old are you?" Well, we cant always give a definite answer to every situation, but we can say that God is not surprised by anything and He has a reason for allowing things to occur. Acts 4:2728, For truly in this city there were gathered together against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28 to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose predestined to occur.. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affliliate links, meaning I get a small commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links. Great news -- we have the tools to help you do just that. Both families may have different traditions and ways of doing life. Is it possible that maybe something bigger is unfolding? Suffering is a personal problem; it demands a personal response. Well, not so fasttheres a problem with that question. Well, God has existed from eternity past as the Father, Son and Spirit, together in a relationship of perfect love. All of our resources exist to guide you toward everlasting joy in Jesus Christ. First responders, military, and hospital staff often do this (or should do this). No, Jesus is much closer than your closest friend. Are you an advocate for the unborn? The DSM-5, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, uses the term serious injury to describe an event that can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We'd love to keep you up to date with what is happening at CARM. And lets not forget Point 2, its not pointless. Then we will be able to see the whole story and how masterfully it was written and how much love God has for us. Have you been engaging in sinful behavior you know displeases the Lord? Your childs life may not be going the way they want it to. We are finally a family that is undisrupted by caseworkers and court dates. and no doubt he did. Thats what faith demands, believing in advance what will only make sense in reverse. Customize your library of parenting resources: 8605 Explorer Drive Colorado Springs, CO 80920-1051, Transitioning From Foster to Adoption Parenting, Equipping Kids to Defend the Bible: Answers to Common Questions, the sudden death of your grandpa who lived with you. We do know, however, that He wants to use hardship to make us stronger. They also believe their dad is the strongest man alive and that mom is the prettiest woman ever and can walk on water (in other words, kids are gullible and dont have a very good grasp of reality). There are too many loose ends with the plot. But until then, we are told to trust in His plan. There's illness, abuse, broken relationships, betrayal, sorrow, injuries, disappointment, heartache, crime and death. He apparently had fog lamps in front, because he was traveling at a confident and deliberate pace, and I knew if we could just follow those taillights, we'd be headed in the right direction. That day will come, but not yet. Then our mind scans our memory banks to search for information that can help us assess the current situation. And it was all worth it for that, even though it would cost his son great pain and suffering to achieve our redemption. From the depths of a Nazi death camp, Corrie ten Boom wrote these words: "No matter how deep our darkness, he is deeper still." I think the reason so many of us struggle with this question of suffering is that we cant trust God. Doesnt God care that Im suffering? Postscript: As everyone familiar with Joni Eareckson Tada's story knows, she has turned her bitterness into belief and her disabilities into amazing talents. Subscribe to CT If you have any issues, please call the office at 385-246-1048 or email us at [emailprotected]. Many people can experience psychological trauma from such events. So one reason God allows emotional suffering in our lives is because he knows that sometimes there is nothing that will increase our passion to pursue him more than this pain. And I'm glad that I don't have to just speak out of my own experience. a friend not inviting you to their birthday party. Get the free video series and start winning your inner battles today! From start to finish, it was like the title of that children's book: Alexander & the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. Also, we could say this demonstrates how bad sin really is, and God wants to show everyone how bad sin and its effects really are. As C.S. Several years ago, I commissioned a national survey and asked people what question they'd ask if they could only ask God one thing. This sovereign Godthe one restoring, nurturing, caring for, protecting, changing, and providing for her and her every need according to his riches in gloryis her only hope. Why is He allowing these bad things to happen to me? The answer is: He did! This then produces an expanded state of awareness of a more whole self . That day just sort of fades away. And many people are asking the question, "Why? Do you cry out that you can't take any more? Or more pointedly, how can a good God allow suffering? Suffering doesn't have the last word anymore. We decide where we move too. It was was an evening for asking questions of Pastor John, and this very one came up. What Im about to say will be of little, or maybe no, help/comfort to those currently suffering. Christian Counseling for Trauma Recovery. This is one of the reasons why anxious people or those with PTSD startle easily. In either case, the emotional pain we experience can always be used by God for the same reason. When adversity presents itself, God is sovereign. Its not by Gods design, its by our sin. You'd probably say, "It was great; it was wonderful!" Yet, it is so easy to tense up, to get nervous, to get so concerned with wanting to say the right thing that you end up saying nothing at all. As a wise man once said to me, "God's ultimate answer to suffering isn't an explanation; it's the incarnation." He was perfect and yet He endured some highly traumatic experiences. A doctor who just numbed your broken leg so you didnt feel the pain rather than putting a cast on it would not be a very good doctor. It was programmed to say those words. Taking the bad of this world and redeeming for something good. Recent research clearly shows three specific areas of our brains emotional machinery (called the limbic system) that are prime targets. Were on a mission to change that. He allows both kinds of things to happen to us. Double your gift for struggling couples and expand efforts like Hope Restored marriage intensives! There is no question that severe physical traumas or injuries affect us spiritually. In the Bible there are two scriptures that are foundational to a biblical understanding of trauma. Now let me give you the entire verse: "I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. Keep lines of communication open. The good news is that even though we royally screwed up. We forget that Adam chose to sin and that we live in a fallen world, full of suffering. Does Porn Use Disqualify You from Christian Dating? Suffering exists because the story is not over. Have you ever asked yourself that? Suffering spurs us to action. God is restoring creation to His original design. 2020 by Dr. Karl Benzio. At least not to the end of why does God allow suffering. Praise God. So many things happen in your kids lives every day. You'd remember that first bad day. Well, God created humanity, and therefore created a capacity for evil within humanity. Yes, he does. But pain insists upon being attended to. Kids rarely see parents do this, yet we expect them to know how to do it as if by magic. Individual as well as corporate traumatic events are laid bare before the reader, their grotesque reality a continual challenge to faith in and life with God. His promise is that one day it will end, but until then He will be with us. How? We rebelled against God, and still do. In Romans 5:3-5, we are taught that through seasons of suffering, God will produce in us endurance, character, and hope which will then enhance our ability to enjoy the love of God which the Holy Spirit has placed within our hearts. Put your email in the box below! I couldn't stop because I was afraid someone might come along and rear-end us. There are a few things that are important things on the topic of suffering we should know. For as we share abundantly inChrists sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. You loved to play with your beloved, and you took delight in. We pray about them. Trauma is a distressing, painful, or shocking experience that causes harmful psychological, physiological, or spiritual effects. So our emotions, which God uses as a warning system, become more sensitive. OK, so God is an all-powerful, omniscient being who created everything, and made man in his image. Put your ear buds in for this Christian parenting podcast and get practical, faith-based inspiration through all stages of parenting. And if we follow those lights, they will lead us toward some conclusions that I believe can help satisfy our hearts and souls. Instead, our trauma-damaged minds produce impulsive, knee-jerk, survival-oriented, emotionally-driven, dysfunctional decisions. Viewing difficult situations with Godly lenses and responding in healthy ways strengthens our brain chemistry. We commonly think of trauma as extreme situations such as wartime violence, sexual violations, or other life-threatening situations like natural disasters or motor vehicle accidents. Is the god of this world Satan or Jesus in 2 Cor. God allows bad things to happen because it is His will to allow bad things to happen. (what you need to know), The Shocking Joshua 24:15 Meaning (as for me and my house we will serve the Lord). Effects of Sin, Hope of Christ. In the beginning, God created a world absent of suffering. When we are in these seasons of pain, however, we can still wonder why God couldnt teach us these lessons in a nicer way. Are your most tender relationships broken? We make resolutions. My passion is to help others apply God's truth to every aspect of life for his glory and our enjoyment of him. Dealing with a severe trauma will require a holistic approach; a person who is severely injured needs medical support, spiritual support, and emotional support. Jeffery Curtis Poor | March 1, 2022May 17, 2021 | Featured, Following Jesus (Practical Faith), What Does the Bible Say About Why would a good God, a loving God, allow suffering to exist in this world? Tradwives are heterosexual women who prefer the traditional roles where men work outside the home, and they work by Matt Slick | Mar 8, 2023 | Bible Verses, Questions. The problem is, you and I are stuck with an extremely limited view. Personally, I suffered the loss of my son shortly after his birth. : A Crowley Meta. God is causing your suffering because ______. True followers of Jesus are spared from suffering. Time magazine puts your photo on its cover as "The Person of the Year." In Isaiah 41:10 says "Do not be afraid for I am with you. December 11, 2017 The Bible neither covers up nor ignores sexual assault. ", This has been a heart-rending summer for Colorado. To treat all pain the same would be foolish. Answer. Jesus told his followers, Go and make disciples of all nations. Pastors know well that no two people under their care are in the same place spiritually.

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