We can see that we have a life that contains suffering. We live in a fallen world with moments of suffering. But amid the hardships, what we find is the presence of God.
But why you may ask? He allows these things to happen. He knows that by allowing us to experience failure, pain, and struggle, we will grow stronger in our faith and to become closer to Him and move away from sin. During our times of struggle, the path is not easy and without pain, but having faith in Him and knowing He will never leave us shall be enough to get us through. God DOES NOT tempt us with sin, that is from evil and evil alone. There is absolutely nothing in God’s nature that would make Him tend to do wrong, and there can be absolutely nothing offered to Him that would cause Him to do wrong. Internally and externally, God is immune to temptation. It follows, then, that God would not tempt any person to sin and thus make Himself the author of sin as having created the temptation. The Holy One will not justify sin or excuse it, and He will not prompt it but He will, as our help always provide us a way out as Scripture says, because He loves us and never wishes us to sin.
“When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone.” (James 1:13)
God also DOES NOT cause suffering, but He can and may allow it to accomplish GOOD and good ALONE.
“We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to His purpose.” (Rom 8:28)
God allows us to experience the consequences of our poor choices, and the consequences of not living in His word. We have the gift of free will, and because of it, we are free to make decisions; both good and bad. If we were to suffer no consequences for our bad choices what motivation would there be for each of us to make good and sound decisions? More so, if God were to intervene in all our poor decisions, then we would no longer have the gift of free will; allowing the freedom to choose good and bad. Few would argue that a lesson learned with pain, struggle, and hardship is a lesson quickly forgotten. Yes sometimes it may be difficult for us to discern our situations and the cause behind certain situations, but through praying without ceasing and dwelling on the Word of God day and night like the Bible tells us, we can learn and understand our situations more. What is more important than trying to understand who caused what, may we remain in God.
“No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” (Heb 12:11)
God allows for struggling to build our inner strength and faith. Without struggle and resistance, a person would be weak and unable to sustain themselves when confronted by the challenges of experience in life. A tree that grows in the absence of wind will quickly reach a point where it can no longer stand upright, and it will fall over and perish; lacking the strength to even support its weight, let alone the wind of struggle.
“And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. This hope will not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (Rom 5:3-5)
God allows us to struggle and fail to bring humility and realization we need Him in our lives all day, every day. Sometimes it is hard to see and understand why a loving God allows us to struggle and experience hardship, but if a person lived a life filled with endless comfort and without a struggle; would they seek the Lord? I doubt many would.
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