“That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God” 1 Corinthians 2:5

Overcoming Obstacles to Faith The Problem of Evil, Pain & Suffering How can there be a God who loves us when there is so much evil, pain and suffering in the world? As stated by C.S. Lewis, the problem is this: “If God were good, He would wish to make His creatures perfectly happy, and if God were almighty, He would be able to do what He wished. But the creatures are not happy. Therefore God lacks either goodness, or power, or both.” (The Problem of Pain, p. 26).

Overcoming Obstacles to Faith The Problem of Evil, Pain & Suffering Problems with the problem: It assumes that no good purpose can be served by pain and suffering. It also makes the blanket assertion that God’s creatures are not happy when the truth is that at least some of God’s creatures are very happy! Properly considered, the existence of evil, pain, and suffering actually confirms the existence of a loving God.

Overcoming Obstacles to Faith The Problem of Evil, Pain & Suffering Problems with the problem: “Am I in the place of God?” (Genesis 30:2) Job realized that he could not understand it because he wasn’t God! (Job 40:1-5; 42:1-6). In order to argue that pain and suffering accomplish no good or that a good God cannot exist if there is pain and suffering, one would have to be God Himself. How can mere humans with finite minds place limits on the abilities of an infinite, all-powerful, all knowing God?

Overcoming Obstacles to Faith The Problem of Evil, Pain & Suffering The Origin of Evil: God’s creation was initially good (Gen. 1:31) God gave man free moral choice (Gen. 2:16f) This is the very ability which enables skeptics to question why God gave man free moral choice! Man chose to bring death into the world! How can this be blamed on God? Man’s sin initiated death, exacerbated pain and suffering, and caused the entire creation to be plagued with hardship and futility (Genesis 3:16-19; Romans 8:20).

Overcoming Obstacles to Faith The Problem of Evil, Pain & Suffering Satan’s Role: Satan was also created with free moral choice. Out of pride, he chose to become evil (1 Timothy 3:6). He is filled with ill-will toward those who submit to God (Revelation 12:10, 17; Job 1:9-11; 2:4-5).

Overcoming Obstacles to Faith The Problem of Evil, Pain & Suffering Satan’s Role: He is the source of much human suffering. He causes sickness and disaster (Job 1:10-19; 2:7; Luke 13:16; 2 Corinthians 12:7). He is our tempter (Genesis 3:1; 2 Cor. 11:3; 1 Corinthians 7:5; 1 Thessalonians 3:5). He hinders our good intentions (1 Thess. 2:18). He leads men in the path of self-destruction and self-hatred (Luke 22:31; John 13:27, Acts 5:3). He delights in our misery and our failures.

Overcoming Obstacles to Faith The Problem of Evil, Pain & Suffering Man continues to play a role: Most of the pain and injustice in this world is of human origin. Man’s inhumanity to man is the source of untold misery. “It is men, not God who have produced racks, whips, prisons, slavery, guns, bayonets and bombs.” (Lewis, p. 89). Micah describes “those who devise iniquity, and work out evil on their beds! At morning light they practice it, because it is in the power of their hand. They covet fields and take them by violence, also houses, and seize them. So they oppress a man and his house...” (Micah 2:1-2).

Overcoming Obstacles to Faith The Problem of Evil, Pain & Suffering The Benefits of Enduring Pain, Suffering & Evil We learn to be humble and trust God. (2 Corinthians 12:7-10; 1 Peter 4:19) We are allowed to express and understand love. (Romans 5:8; 1 John 4:10-11; Eph . 5:25). We are made stronger and purer (Rom. 5:3-4; 1 Peter 4:12-13; Psalm 66:10-12). We are reminded of our mortality and of our need for God (Job 33:19, 29-30) We have the opportunity to be like Christ. (Romans 8:29; Heb. 2:10; 5:8;1 Peter 2:21-23).

Overcoming Obstacles to Faith The Problem of Evil, Pain & Suffering Pain, Suffering and Injustice are Temporary – Righteousness is Everlasting! God’s justice will prevail in the end The wicked will be punished and the righteous who suffered unjustly will be rewarded (John 5:28-29) The suffering we may experience is not worthy to be compared with the glory of our heavenly reward (2 Cor. 4:16-18; Rom. 8:18; Rev. 21:4) The Lord has it all taken care of!