Why does God permit such pain?
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ChatGPTOccasionally people ask my opinion on various personal or church issues. I recently received the following question, paraphrased below, followed by my response.
Question:Bob, I have an 80-year-old friend who has lost both her legs in the last year and a half! One to the hip and the other several inches above the knee!She believes God is punishing her and though I have told her that Jesus took the punishment upon Himself, she then asks why did she lose her legs? Can you help me answer this question so she can have some peace?
My Answer:The question, "Why does God allow suffering?" is about the hardest question anyone can ask. Job wrestled with it centuries ago, and even today there are no easy answers.
One thing we can say with confidence is that most suffering is not sent directly from God. We live in a fallen world, and no one is exempt from the painful consequences of sin that entered the world through Adam and Eve. Even Jesus suffered terribly, and He was perfect (1 Peter 4:1–2).
Jesus warned us, "In this world you will have trouble," and that has proven to be true for everyone to some degree.
God does permit suffering, however, and Scripture gives us several reasons why.
Sometimes God permits suffering to mature us, just as gold is refined by fire (1 Peter 1:6–7).
At other times, God permits suffering to help us better appreciate the pain Jesus endured for us on the cross (1 Peter 4:13).
God sometimes permits us to suffer to strengthen our testimony with those who are unsaved or spiritually weak (1 Peter 4:16). People often take notice when a believer continues to trust God even after terrible things have happened.
God permits suffering to deepen our compassion, enabling us to empathize with and comfort others who are hurting (2 Corinthians 1:3–4).
God sometimes permits suffering to discipline us, "…for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness…" (Hebrews 12:4–7).
And sometimes God permits us to suffer to remind us that this world is not our home, stirring in us a longing for heaven, where He has promised to wipe away every tear and where there will be no more pain or sorrow (Revelation 21:4).
Losing both legs is a heartbreaking! I cannot imagine what your friend has endured. I believe those who remain faithful through severe trials like that will receive a special reward in heaven (James 1:12). Your 80-year-old friend is very close to home, and I'm confident the Lord has something special prepared for her in heaven.
Please encourage her to trust God's faithfulness. He has promised, "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away" (Revelation 21:4).
 | Bob Russell became the pastor of Southeast Christian Church at just 22 years old. That small congregation of 120 members became one of the largest churches in America, with 18,000 people attending the four worship services every weekend in 2006 when Bob retired. Now through Bob Russell Ministries, Bob continues to preach at churches; conferences throughout the United States, provide guidance for church leadership, mentor other ministers and author Bible study videos for use in small groups. Learn More » |
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