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I have a serious question I would like to ask; Why does God allow pain & suffering in the world? I'm not just talking about in general like war, terrorism, racism etc but in each of our lives as an individual. I was a victim of child molestation as a baby, I have suffered from neglect, childhood bullying, in fact I have been bullied all my life, both in real life & online. I am going through financial issues and currently putting up with verbal & emotional abuse from my Mum who is actually my Great Aunty which she got custody of me when I was 10 months old because of the neglect by my biological parents and was diagnosed by my pediatrition with an intellectual learning disability since being a child. I am on a disability support pension which is why I am struggling with financial problems and my Mum is on the Seniors pension. Because of the verbal & emotional abuse I am dealing with from my Mum, I feel I really need to move out and get my own place but because I am on a disability support pension I don't think I could even afford to pay rent. What I want to know is why did God allow all this to happen? Is he punishing me for something I did or maybe because of what my biological parents did? Is God trying to tell me something through my pain & suffering? Is their a purpose for my pain and suffering? If so then why?

My new book, Faithless, will be published on December 20. The attachments describe what it's about, but I don't know how to find the people who would WANT to read it. I want to help people and this is my way of starting that. Any advice would be appreciated so much!

As a follow-up or split from this thread: 1. Do you agree with this article and this list presented? Can you think of other reasons? 2. What role does God play in suffering? 3. What role do we as Christians play in suffering? Which of these reasons resonates the most with you? God bless, GE

How To Respond To Suffering, Affliction and Trouble Bible Reading: I Thessalonians 1; Hebrews 2. Aim: To understand and respond correctly to suffering, affliction and trouble. Introduction: We all experience trouble in life. The causes may be ourself, others or Satan. God permits trouble to bring out the best in us. Satan seeks to use trouble to bring out vthe worst in us and to cause more trouble. We can gain victory over trouble if we understand what the Bible teaches about it. We experience small, medium and large trouble. How will you respond to trouble and suffering? What Bible Truths Comfort Us In Suffering? And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows; Exodus 3:7 And when we cried unto the LORD God of our fathers, the LORD heard our voice, and looked on our affliction, and our labour, and our oppression: Deuteronomy 26:7 And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head. I Samuel 1:11 Now, behold, in my trouble I have prepared for the house of the LORD an hundred thousand talents of gold, I Chronicles 22:14 But when they in their trouble did turn unto the LORD God of Israel, and sought him, he was found of them. 2 Chronicles 15:4 And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, 2 Chronicles 33:12 Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward. Job 5:7 Did not I weep for him that was in trouble? was not my soul grieved for the poor? Job 30:25 Which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war? Job 38:23 Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins. Psalm 25:18 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. Psalm 27:5: I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities; Psalm 31:7 Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble. Psalm 41:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1 And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. Psalm 50:15 Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man. Psalm 60:11 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. Psalm 91:15 Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses. Psalm 107:6 Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law. Psalm 119:153 And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction. Psalm 119:92 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint. Proverbs 25:19 And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers: Isaiah 30:20 Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction. Isaiah 48:10 In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old. Isaiah 63:9 I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early. Hosea 5:15 The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him. Nah.1:7 When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me. Matthew 26:10 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended. Mark 4:19 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Romans 8:18 But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you. I Corinthians 7:28 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. 2 Corinthians 1:4 “knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.” 2 Cor. 1:7 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 2 Corinthians 4:17 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. 2 Corinthians 8:2 Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction. Phil 4:14 And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith: I Thess 1:6,7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. Galatians 1:7 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; 2 Thessalonians 1:6 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; Philippians 3:10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. Hebrews 2:10 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Hebrews 11:25 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; Hebrews 12:15 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. James 1:27 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. James 5:10 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. I Peter 4:13 Conclusion: When you experience Suffering, Affliction and Trouble will you trust God and claim these promises, or will you complain?

i am Jobless and i am engineering graduate , i applied from many sites and also went to interview but in engineering field it is really hard to get job . i am not blaming God for this . i love Jesus ... and accepting Jesus was my best decision in my life it is 10th month and i secretly read bible and worship God . but 10 month before when i was in Christ and accepting God my life is dramatically change i was studying masters and i dropped out when 6 month was remaining i dont want to go back there bcz it is torture zone , and then i started looking for Job and i didn't get one that time i was happy bcz i had God and during this months i was little hopeless , frustated and angry my life changed suddenly and turned into suffering and problems i am not blaming God for this . but i donno whats going on with me ? i know God want to see me happy but its really a much spiritual struggle and mental tiredness with this kind of situation . and everyone hates me when i go out i donno why im sober and simple girl i don't hurt others . No man comes to me and bring me to God ..but only Jesus .only God is my trust i lost all trust from human . humans are not faithful, not trust able. anyway i don't know whats going on with me and i come here bcz i have no one to talk about my faith and walk with God .

Just having turned 40 years old a couple of months ago feels like a huge burden on my shoulders that keep getting bigger and bigger. I feel like the whole world is out to get me. I've been married for the 2nd time for 1 year (my first husband passed away unexpectedly 5 years ago). I feel like I have the weight of the entire world on me; from helping my mom who doesn't drive or speak English, to secretly dealing with my step-daughter who is acting up and getting in trouble with the law, to trying to keep my husband in line and away from his crazy, dangerous past, to dealing with chronic illness and continuous pain; to dealing with not been able to have kids; to all kinds of financial problems. And those are just the things that are going on right now, there are plenty more things I've had to endure in my entire life. All those pains, all those troubles make me feel like I am always chasing an ounce of happiness that will never be attained. I look up to God and I ask, why so much, why all the time and all I hear is silence. Whether He forgot about me or He's giving me the silent treatment, I don't understand. Giving up is all I can think about, but even in giving up I'm letting Him down and doing what He doesn't want me to do, I guess. But what other way out is there from all this pain, all this suffering, all this craziness? If we are all going to die at the end, why try to avoid the inevitable. How can I learn to live without caring? Without giving a second thought to my mother's situation, to the relationship with my brother, to the relapses my husband continues to have over and over. When there are no shattered dreams only because there's no strength to even dream, how can you find the strength to go on. I guess all I can ask, is how do I end the suffering when He shines his face away from me all the time.

Dear friends, After I lost my job several years ago I really struggle mentally and financially. My wife kills my soul every single minute of my life. I feel like I am falling apart. Anyone in difficult time needs a hand, someone to comfort you, someone who could talk to but all I got is screaming, blaming me for everything, putting me down from the moment I open my eyes every morning, whole day under attracts, every day under huge pressure. It is very hard to move on, to concentrate on anything, loosing self-confidence and ground below my feet. I can't even describe my average day. It is a hell. I have two talented boys [one is really talented soccer player], very sick father and completely broken marriage, feel very, very unhappy. Every day I live in stress and depression. I desperately need some friendly people to help me a little bit with a good word, with some advise. *edited* Before I left the States I worked in NYC for almost 10 years. in 2003 I decided to move to Europe to stay with my sick parents but I did not expect that my financial situation would turn upside down. Unfortunately I can't go back to the States anytime soon. I need to be near my parents to help them and at the same time I need to do something to make any money. I feel like the whole world turned away from to me. I tried to contacts so many people around the world, sending info about myself, about things I can do, about my skills and experience but ended up with nothing, no one cares, absolutely no one.. What else I can say..I would be very happy to get in touch with some good people out there. I still believe they are somewhere over there. Pawel

I've thought about this question before and it came up again recently with the tragedies in Oklahoma: Why is suffering allowed? Also does all suffering have purpose and meaning? Here's my thoughts. First regarding suffering the good news is that our suffering in this life is only for a short time when we look at the rest of eternity. (1 Pet. 5:10) A. For God’s Glory: Job is the ultimate story of suffering besides that of Christ. Job lost everything including his children, riches, standing in society. And the incredible aspect of Job’s story is that he did nothing wrong and yet suffered. Yet God’s purpose was to glorify His name in Job. The pain and suffering Job experienced allowed God to share with Job who He was and what He was about. (See the book of Job) B. Chastisement by God: Sometimes people suffer because His children whom God loves He chastises and rebukes for the purpose of repentance. (Heb. 12:6-8, Rev. 3:19) The purpose is as well for cleansing of our lives of unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9) C. For the Lord Jesus Christ & Furthering of the Gospel: Jesus healed a man named Lazarus and yet he explained that the man had the sickness for the glory of God. (John 11:2-4) Later it is understood that some who saw this and other miracles believed in Jesus. (John 11:45) Some in particular believed because of Jesus healing Lazarus. (John 12:11) God was in complete control and had a purpose in allowing the sickness. The story of Jim Elliott comes to mind. Jim was a missionary to natives who never heard the Gospel. They ended up killing Jim. Yet, years later many came to believe and trust in Jesus Christ. We are told that those who are in Jesus Christ will suffer persecution. (2 Tim 3:12) Jesus Himself promised suffering that if anyone would come after Him they were to deny themselves, take up their cross daily, and follow in His footsteps. (Luke 9:23) D. God’s Instruction and Teaching in Suffering: God is at war with Satan waging the battles for the souls on men. As soldiers of Jesus Christ we’re called to endure hardness at times. (2 Tim. 2:3) One of the fruits of the spirit is long-suffering. (Gal. 5:22) Sometimes I wonder if we as Christians gloss over that one when reading the others? Long-Suffering adjective 1. enduring injury, trouble, or provocation long and patiently. noun 2. long and patient endurance of injury, trouble, or provocation: years of long-suffering and illness. David himself, the man after God’s own heart, said that perhaps it is for good that bad things happened to him so he might learn God’s ways. (Ps. 119:71) The of course there is the fact that all things work for good for those who love the Lord and are called according to His purposes. (Rom. 8:28) And yet we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. (Phil. 4:13) Often God doesn’t want to change our circumstances but He does want to change our hearts. E. Contrasting This World and Life What is to Come: We live in a fallen, sin-filled world. In Revelation 21:4 we’re told in the Bible there will be a time where there will be no more tears and death will be no more. There won’t be mourning, crying, or any pain any longer as God creates the New Heaven and New Earth. So perhaps in this life there is suffering to contrast with what is to come? Conclusion: If God were to remove all suffering then He would also remove the ability of men to make decisions for good or evil. It would almost be like nullifying the free will that allowed Adam/Eve to choose to sin in the Garden of Eden. Through one man sin entered the world and through One Son of Man God provided a way (John14:6) for the creation of God to become children of God (John 1:12, 1 John 3:1). God doesn’t desire mindless servants or a form of robots. God desires a relationship with His creation. God desires to adopt us into His family and become co-heirs with Christ. (Rom. 8:17) God uses the suffering of the world as a result of sin to accomplish His purposes. However, I believe some suffering happens simply because of sin and evil in the world. ------------------------------------------ For clarification I don't think this happened because God is chastising the residents of Oklahoma. I don't understand it all. Yet I believe God uses the suffering of this world to accomplish His purposes. Praying for all those who have suffered during this time of trials in Oklahoma. Praying too for God's comfort/strength for those who have lost loved ones and their homes. Praying too for God's comfort/strength for those who have lost loved ones and their homes. Thoughts on these points A-E?? God bless, GE

I was responding to a different thread, where a poster expressed a sort of disbelief I guess, that some beleivers want to somehow prove themselves to God, by going through the tribulation. I felt my response, was worth posting as a topic on it's own, so here it is: I would rather go through the tribulation than be raptured out ahead of time, but there is a condition to that desire: That it be according to God's will. Our savior is our example, submit to the will of God, even if it is unpleasant for a while. 1Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Oh to be able to do just that. I do not love pain of discomfort, in fact, I am a coward, but I also am not looking at this through fleshy eyes. I understand that nothing that can befall me in this life is worth worrying over: 16The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, 17and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. 18For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. I do not see suffering for Jesus to be something to avoided at all costs, I consider it a privelege. Why would I think, that I should be excluded, even from suffering and or death, where so many prophets, apostles, and marthys in the last 2000 years up to this present day, have led the way, to the glory of God? Those of us who hope to escape unscathed, are those who have their eyes fixed on comfort in this present age, instead of taking Jesus words to heart: 10“Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11“Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12“Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Maybe we just want to refuse the extra blessings our Father wants to pour out on His children. I do not need to prove myself to God, He know what I am, and what I am not. I am however, willing to be spent for Him. 1Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. Which is the greater act of worship? Singing a hymm in church, or presenting my body as living sacrifice. I can think of no greater act of worship, no greater act of love, than: 13“Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. 14“You are My friends if you do what I command you. 15“No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. Those who are Jesus friends, are willing to die for Him, and we are called to that attitude. 24Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. 25“For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. Over and over in the New Testament, we are told to expect trouble, and to persevere in trouble. Are those just words? Or do they actually mean something? Aslo we are told that perseverance in tribulation improves the church, why would I not welcome improvement in the church? What benefit is there in escapism? Nothing that I know of, that is not worldy, temporal. So, speaking for myself, if God wants me to suffer, I volunteer. People in the tribulation will need help, will need the Gospel. I received that gift freely from God, with nothing on my part to deserve it. I can never pay God back for that, but I can offer to be there for those in the tribulation, that God loves just as much as He loves me. I only wish that I would carry that conviction in everyday life. Every person I fail to tell the gospel to, is another person I have shown contempt for, by not thinking them worthy enough for me to disturb my personal comfort in the hope of saving them from an eternity of suffering. I too, amd fleshly, and I know that in me, I am not obedient enough to do well in the tribulation. I recall that when push came to shove, Peter was a bit of a coward. I also recall that Peter was later filled with the Spirit, to the result that he was anything but a coward. One of the most common phrases accompanying the phrase filled with the Spirit, is 'full of boldness'. I think if God can do that for Peter, he can also do so far any or even every one of us. If I were to find myself in the tribulation, I pray for God's grace to enable me to stand for what I beleive, to stand for Him. Who is with me?

"The winds of God are always blowing, but you must set the sails" - Author, Unknown - Luke 8:22-26 22 Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth. (Set sail) 23 But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy. 24 And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. 25And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him. 26 And they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee. Even when called by God will we go out against great storms! But, by the name of the Mighty Lord Jesus, and by Him are the seas calmed! We have been called to be the light on the hill, we have been told that DESPITE, our trials and tribulations to fear not, for the Lord has overcome! (Hallelujah!) Isaiah 24:4 "4For you have been a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat; for the breath of the ruthless is like a storm against a wall." We also have to learn and take to heart that God does not always heal, does not always "calm the storms" immediately. What He DOES promise is to be our Jehovah Ma'oz- a named revealed to David in Psalms 91:9 depicting this very thing declared in Isaiah 24:4. Be our stronghold, someone to lean on- to be there for us, a shelter from the storm- meaning be our peace, our righteousness! God offers this lavished love forevermore, but it must be YOU, who accepts it, it must be YOU, who sets the sails. God bless you in the name of our Mighty God!

This discussion is two parts: A. What is (are) God's purpose(s) in allowing suffering in your view? B. Here's an interesting perspective from a guy named JD. What do you think of JD's perspective?