Understanding Why There is Evil and Suffering

One time, while a few of us were doing spiritual surveys near the National Theater here in Bucharest, I had an interesting experience with a young lady in her late teens or early 20's. When I asked her if she believed in God she said "no!".  I asked her why and she told me that her father had died two months before and since God didn't save him she didn't believe He existed. 

I could see she was in a lot of pain and angry, my heart grieved for her. I know what it is like to lose a parent to death. It feels like they are wrongly ripped away from you. Why does it feel like that? I think because God has put eternity in our hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11). Because of this we sense in our hearts that death is not the way it was suppose to be. You see this same thing play out with Jesus as well in John 11:28-37. He knew that he was going to bring Lazarus back to life but when he saw the impact his death had on his family and friends Jesus wept. He knew it was never the Father's desire for death to enter the picture. Death was not the way it was suppose to be!

Why did a good God allow evil and suffering? That is one of the most common questions people have about God. A lot of people reject the idea of God because of all the evil and suffering they see. But what is ironic is the fact that without God there is no such thing as evil and suffering. No right or wrong. What is, just is and nothing more. The idea of justice and morality can only exist if there is a God. Anything else is just an illusion.

Do you wonder why God allows evil and suffering? Have you spent time thinking about this? Have you rejected God because of something bad that happened to you or the ones you love? Do you have family or friends that have rejected God because of evil and suffering? 

Check out the video and links below as they have some great insights about this issue. Open your heart to God and let Him show you that He knows all too well about the effects of evil and suffering. He sent His son to the cross to deal with it once and for all.

Here are links to four excellent articles that look at the problem of evil and suffering:

• Why is There Evil and Suffering? Michael Horner
• If God, Why Evil and Suffering? Charlie H. Campbell
• God, Freedom, and Evil (pdf) Joe Manzari
• The Problem of Evil  William Lane Craig (need to register to read article)