The attack of 9-11 was an atrocity, a horrific cause of suffering. So also is child sex trafficking, which occurs even here in the United States; so also are the brutal rapes and murders that happen every day; so also are genocide, forced starvation, child abuse. There are people suffering horribly everywhere and at all times. How does God decide which acts to stop and which ones to allow? Does he pick the ones that affect the most people? The ones done against children? How can a just God allow some suffering and prevent other?
If we say God should stop and/or prevent one instance of suffering then, logically, we should expect a just God to stop them ALL. But that is where the problem comes in. God has set a limit on himself that currently doesn't allow him to stop all suffering on earth. That limit is us, our free will. God cannot stop all suffering because to do so would take away our free will, our right to choose to do evil, what does -- in essence -- make us human.
But some suffering IS ended, and I'm sure some suffering is also prevented. How? I don't believe God is up in heaven picking and choosing who to spare and who not to. What I do think, though, is that because he can't stop all suffering, there's got to be some connection between us and the suffering he does choose to stop. I believe that connection is our free will exercised through prayer and action. (After all, our free will is what causes the suffering so it would make sense that our free will also contains the answer.) God is able to stop sufferings when we ask him to and partner with him in taking action against sufferings.
We look to God to end suffering, when perhaps He is waiting for us to do it with him because he cannot do it on his own (without ending the world as we currently know it). If we exercise our free will to ask God for change and to take action, I believe God can and will stop the sufferings we take action against. For instance, if we pray against the forces behind sex trafficking and get involved in efforts to thwart it, I believe God can end that suffering through us.
We are people created in the image of God. We have amazing power even on our own. When you put that power with the power of God, there is NOTHING that is impossible.
We have the power to hurt; we have the power to heal; it is we who need to take action.
4 comments:
Hi April... was just looking on your site today hoping for a new blog :-) Good one. We just have to remember that His thoughts are higher than our thoughts, His ways higher than ours. We may not be able to understand or comprehend what happens in the world but it is just our responsibility to be faithful and keep trusting in a sovereign and all knowing God. :) Hope you and the fam are well.
Thanks Wendy! I totally agree with your comment. My thought was that when someone has a platform on a secular show, answers that only talk of faith and trust don't get to the heart of the secular audience. That audience probably needs something a little more practical to grasp onto until the faith and trust are there. But for those who already have faith and trust in God -- absolutely!
Very well put babe. I wonder if Jesse Jackson would have given a better answer than Joel. At least you know Jesse would've made it a memorable occasion. Thanks for sharing your thoughts - love you!!
I love your post and you make a great point!
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