Beyond Today -- Why Do Good People Suffer?

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[Steve Myers] Have you ever  wondered why a loving God   would allow good people to suffer? I went out on  the street and asked people that very question. We live in a world of suffering. The coronavirus  is the latest event to remind us all that pain and   suffering seems to be everywhere. Yet disease and  sickness are really only a part of the suffering   that plagues our world today. When you  consider that, it leaves us with a question,   where's God in all of this and how can  there be such suffering and distress   when you look at what your Bible says that God's  supposed to be a loving God? Now why would He   allow these terrible difficulties, these miseries  to afflict humanity? Why would that happen?   I mean if He's all-powerful why doesn't He just  put it into it? Why doesn't He just stop it?   In fact why am I suffering? I mean have  you ever wondered why did God let me go   through that injury or that car accident  or why did I have to lose my job? That happened to me one time when I was a young  man. I was involved in an accident that happened.   I had been clearing my parents' property, burning  old wood, and junk, and rubbish, and trash.   And boy that first day I had a giant bonfire. I  mean it was huge. Of course it died down. The next   day I went back to do it all over again. Of course  I brought that first load of wood and threw it   on those coals and went to get another. As I came  back with that second arm full I went to put that   on that coal and boom, just exploded. And the next  thing I knew I was on fire. And I started running   and my legs had all this stuff that was stuck  to it. And I couldn't put it out and I started   rolling on the ground. And the next thing I  knew I was in a hospital burn unit for weeks. Where's God in that? And I couldn't help but  think, "How could He let me suffer like this?" Now   we all might have some stories that are kind of  like that. They come in a lot of different types,   you know sudden accidents like mine or maybe  illness, chronic illness. And then there's   the emotional suffering that we often will go  through and financial disasters, problems in our   financial life or how about terrible  storms, hurricanes, natural disasters,   they leave communities totally wiped out. I mean  there's just these miserable happenstances on   a global scale. And then governments  sometimes fail and refugees are displaced,   and there's war, genocide. You see when you  consider those things it might cause you to doubt   the existence of God. Now I asked people  on the street what they thought about that. If God is supposed to be good,   why does He allow good people to go  through such big difficulties at times? > I don't know. It's a good question. I'm not  really sure, I don't have an answer for that. >> And I think that His plan is not something  that we're able to understand and that some   things we're not going to be able to understand  and suffering may be included in those things. [Steve Myers] Have you ever wondered how a  good God could allow good people to suffer? > I believe that, you know, it's a  battle of good and evil going on,   you know, what I'm saying,  unbeknownst to everybody, you know. >> I don't think He is, like, causing  things to happen to innocent people,   but it's beyond what we know  and what we can comprehend. [Steve Myers] Quite interesting. Can we figure it  out? I mean is it possible to understand why there   is so much suffering in the world? Well we'd like  to help you to understand that so we put together   a Bible study aid. It's called  "Why Does God Allow Suffering?"   You need to study these things from yourself from  God's perspective and we want to help you do that.   So call us at the number on your screen or go  to our website beyondtoday.tv. There you can   read it right there online. You can download it  to your tablet, your smartphone, your computer,   and read it for yourself or call us and we'll send  you your own free copy. Because there's so much to   this subject that we really want you to begin  to understand from God's perspective. Because   as we consider this topic, think about what we  treasure most. I think most people might say   freedom, that we've got freedom. In  fact here in America we defend freedom,   self-determination. That's what we're all about.  But you know that's not just an American thing. If you were to read the United Nations Charter  it states that people of the world have a   right to freely choose their sovereignty  and political status. You wonder well what   does God think about that? Well you know  God has given people freedom of choice.   And in fact it's part of His plan. You can read  about it in your Bible. It tells us all the way   back in the book of Deuteronomy, Deuteronomy 30:19  says this, "I have set before you life and death,   blessing, and cursing. Therefore choose  life," is what God says, "that both you   and your descendants may live, that you may love  the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice." So when we see what God tells us He made  mankind with the ability to make choices,   to choose His own way. And could you  imagine if we didn't have free choice?   I mean do I jump out of bed, hit the snooze  button? What will it be? Would you like   cream or sugar or both? You see without choice  there really isn't a reason. There's no reason   without choice. And so what we find the reality  is, we make thousands of choices every single day.   And you probably recognize most of  them are pretty boring, pretty mundane   than normal everyday choices we make. But yet  there are some choices that are so important,   that they affect us the rest of our life. So when  pain and suffering do come, whose fault is it? > When people think about why did this happen  to me they want to find a source to blame and   they want to be angry for why they're suffering.  And I do think sometimes there is a purpose. >> No, it's just an unfortunate  situation that is...you   know, people that are put  in unfortunate situations. > Things happen. And, you know,  it's just the shake of the dice. > I don't know that there's a purpose, I think  it's just part of life the way it is. I mean,   life is not fair. It's not equal. You've got  highs and lows. And that's just the way it is. >> Can you blame God for  everything? I don't think so. [Steve Myers] Now, some would disagree with  that. Some would say, "No, God created evil   and He allows all this suffering so He must be to  blame." So people oftentimes will do just that.   They'll blame God for the suffering. But part  of that is because they just don't understand   God. Because when we turn to what God says,  when we look to His word, when we understand   what God has to say about it we recognize the  fact He created us with freedom of choice. We   have free moral agency. We have the ability to  choose. And when we do that, that allows for   good and bad consequences. The outcome could be  either/or. And our choices can either lead to   good things or sometimes it's just  disastrous. And so is it fair to   say then that mankind's wrong choices are the  cause of most of the suffering in the world? Have you thought much about why there  is so much suffering in the world today? > Yeah, I guess when I think about suffering, I  feel like it's people bringing it upon themselves.   I mean as a whole, the world community, I feel  like, people don't live right. We bring pain and   suffering upon ourselves by polluting, we  live with the consequences of our actions. >> I think our personal decision  has caused us to suffer. > We suffer the consequences  of other people's decisions   sometimes or the consequences  of our own decisions. >> If, you know, God was  good and all He allowed was,   you know, good things to happen, I  mean, that's just not what's happening.   So you know I have a hard time, you know,  reconciling the religious parts of it. [Steve Myers] Well, can we reconcile the  suffering? Can we figure it out or do we   just blame God? You see when we look to what God  says about it, He says, "Don't blame me." In fact,   He's from a totally different perspective.  In John 3:16. He says this, we're reminded   of God's perspective. "God so loved the world..."  So God's not trying to cause everyone to suffer.   God loves the world. "He gave His only Son," John  3:16 says, "so that whoever believes in Him would   not perish but have everlasting life." So when  we really get down to it, I think what we find   is that most suffering can be traced back to  the source, our own actions, our own choices,   our own free will. Because what we find is it's  sort of scientific when you really get down to it.   Cause and effect that certain actions are  going to result in certain consequences.   In fact the Bible puts it this way in Galatians  6:7, it says, "Do not be deceived. God is not   mocked. For whatever a man sows, that he will also  reap." Now that's a farming principle, right? If   you're a gardener you get it. You understand that.  You plant certain things, that's what you're going   to harvest. You reap, you benefit from the things  that you plant or you sow. So it's one of those   things that we can't blame God. It's not His  fault. What did you plant? What did you sow? In order to understand a little bit more deeply we  hope that you'll order our booklet, "Why does God   allow suffering?" Call us at the number on your  screen or go to our website, beyondtoday.tv. It   will help you understand that sowing and reaping  principle, how so oftentimes we are the cause   of our own suffering and our own problems.  And when we recognize that we can understand   more thoroughly what God has to say. What's His  perspective? Well this Bible study aid will help   you discover that for yourself. It gets you into  the Word of God, so you can understand a little   bit more thoroughly, what is His perspective?  Because really, when you get down to it most of   the suffering, so much of the suffering that's  in our world today is a result of our choices. Why don't you think God just doesn't put a  stop to the violence and tragedy right now? > It's because of our free will. We have free  will. He gets free will. It's our choice. >> Because He gave us free will  to do what we want to do. It's   not His decision what we're doing,  it's our decision. We haven't learned. > We are of our own free will. >> You're the controller of your  own destiny. So if you're suffering,   do something about it. Don't just  expect somebody else to help you. > I think the decisions that we make in life   are... I think we're ultimately  responsible for decisions. >> Well God gives us a choice. We all have a  choice to do right or wrong, and you can choose   to do right, you could choose to do wrong. He's  not going to make us robots. He loves us. So,   you know He's not going to make us serve Him. [Steve Myers] You see, she's right. God could  have made us robots, He could have just forced us   to do what He wanted to. But instead He chose to  create us with the capability of making a choice.   And He wants us to make right choices. He  wants us to do the things that are good   and be like Him. And He talks about that  over and over again in His Word in Scripture. And so we find in the Ephesians 2:10, it's a  reminder for us. He says, we are His workmanship.   So we are in His hands. And it goes on to  say, "Created in Christ Jesus for good works,   which God prepared," it says beforehand that we  should walk in them. So it tells us we've got   a God that's on our side. We're His handiwork.  He wants good for us. He wants to create in us   His holy character. And it's a fact. God  wants the best. He wants the best for you.   Now as we consider suffering, I think it is  true. Some suffering isn't a result of choice.   But is it possible that suffering could be  a part of God's overall purpose? In fact   the Bible does tell us that. 1  Peter 1:6 is an example of that.   It says, "In this, you greatly rejoice, though  now for a little while, if need be, you've   been grieved by various trials." That's troubles,  difficulties, challenges. But He goes on and says,   "That the genuineness of your faith, being much  more precious than gold that perishes, though it's   tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor,  and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ." And so what's He saying here? What's the point?  Well He's saying good people are going to have   challenges too. Good people are going to  be tested. Godly people will have trials,   and challenges, and difficulties. And of  course then we've got to ask, "Well, why?   Why does God allow good people to  suffer?" Because you might think well,   what's the use of trying to be good if all  I have to look forward to is suffering? Well God has a purpose. He has a purpose in  allowing even good people to suffer. And a   little bit later on in that first letter to Peter  2:21, it says, "For to this, you were called   because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us  an example, that you should follow His steps.”   So you see, God's telling us as we go through  these difficulties, we go through the hardships,   it's actually possible to become more like  God. It's possible to follow in His steps.   It's possible to be more like Him. And of  course when we do that we're demonstrating   a commitment. We're demonstrating that we're  going to follow Him. We're going to live and   try to follow His way of life. Because you know  suffering is not fun. Nobody likes suffering.   The fact is, pain changes people. Pain changes  people. And when you go through pains in this life   it can push us and help us to get  back on a better path, Godly path   because we have this tendency to want to do  it ourselves. And yet we need to look to God   and get rid of that self-reliance and turn  to Him. And the best part is that God wants   to help us through those times. He wants to get  us through that process. And I'll bet there's   been times in your life that He's helped you get  through those things and you might not have even   recognized it. You might not have saw His hand  working in your life. Now it might be hard   and probably will be difficult, but it's  possible to find joy, even in the pain. > And again, like why did that happen? Why is the  suffering going on? And I think the only answer   or the only place you can actually look for an  answer would actually be to ask God, and actually   to reflect, and think about it for yourself.  There's a lot of suffering in the Bible that   He teaches us, and through His sufferings, we do  become like better people and we learn from these. >> I think we can learn from the things that we do  and, you know, the consequences of those things. > The fact that He loves us  and He wants us to learn. >> I think sometimes God gives us  difficulties and trials to strengthen us,   and to teach us lessons, and help us make  better decisions the next time around. [Steve Myers] There's some interesting comments.  Are they reflective of what God's word says? What   God wants for us? I think it's undoubtable  that God wants us to learn. He wants us to   understand and be more like Him, and grow  even in those difficulties and challenges.   So let's step back for a moment and  look at what God has to say and find   several principles that are Godly principles,  Biblical principles when it comes to suffering. Think about the first purpose. Is there a purpose  for suffering? Well, when we look at God's word   it reminds us suffering builds character or at  least it can. It doesn't always do that. But   the possibility is there. It can actually  bring out our best. Sometimes we've seen that   in terrible natural disasters where people just  come together and they bring their best to help.   Well that's a Biblical principle. And in the  book of Romans 5:3, it reminds us of this.   From the New Living Translation, it says, "We can  rejoice when we run into problems and trials."   Well, that sounds like a paradox. Really?  Can we do that? Well, it's because of the   results. It says, "We know they're good for us.  They help us to learn, to endure, and endurance   can develop strength of character in us."  And so there can be a process that can be a   spiritual process that we can grow and develop the  character of God. And as strange as it may seem   God's telling us, "It can be good  for you. It can be good for you."   Because in life we can expect it, there's  going to be...no one's going to escape without   some difficulties of challenges, and trials,  and suffering in their life. And so when we   see God's hand and change our perspective and  turn to Him, it could certainly bring meaning   to that difficulty because sometimes we even  suffer for doing what's right, what's good. For the sake of following God when we  suffer, God can use that and build us up   because when you think about it, this life  isn't only for building character. It's   also for the testing of that character.  Life's also for the testing of character.   And ultimately trials and suffering can be kind  of a declaration that ultimately will be rewarded   when Jesus Christ returns to this earth. So  that's an important purpose, but that's not all. A second purpose for suffering is the fact  that suffering silences the critics. And   what do I mean by that? Well there are those  out there who ridicule God. They would say,   "You're crazy for following God. Why would  you do that when there's all this difficulty,   and challenges, and struggle, and suffering?"  Or they might criticize and say, "Wel, you only   love God because you're blessed. You have good  things. You've got a nice car and a nice house,   and you're only in it for what you can get out  of it." But you see when we go through suffering   it doesn't have to be that way because we  all have to ask ourselves, are Christians   in it just for what they can get out of it?  Do I follow God just to get the blessings?   That's a problem. Because there's so  much more to the story than just that. When we suffer we can silence the critics  especially if we follow the word of God's. 1 Peter   2:15 is a good reminder of that. It says, "This  is the will of God. Here's what God wants. By   doing good, you may put to silence the ignorance  of foolish men." So if you want to shoosh the   enemies, you want to silence those enemies, quiet  them down? Show that you trust God even when it's   tough, even when it's difficult, even though all  this evidence around me is pointing to the fact   that, wow, it's tough, and it's difficult, and why  should I believe in God? I'm going to follow Him. And even though all the  evidence suggests otherwise,   I'm not in this just for what I could get out  of it. Because one of the things we demonstrate   especially for those that are unbelievers,  that we love God more than we love blessings.   We love God more than we love blessings. And we  have a personal relationship with God because   ultimately that's what's going to count. And so we  love God and by faith we stand strong for His way,   even when circumstances are difficult,  even though there's suffering.   And of course, when we look to the Word of  God we have the ultimate example. The perfect   example,when it comes to that is Christ Himself.   Christ set that perfect example, one who did no  wrong, one who never sinned, one who never caused   suffering in that way. He set that perfect example  and He suffered for us. He gave His life for us. And that brings us to a wonderful third purpose.  When we suffer it also helps us to appreciate.   Suffering can help us to appreciate. When you've  had it rough, when you go through tough times,   don't you appreciate when it turns  around? Don't you appreciate when it's   done? Don't you really value things  when finally I've turned the corner   and I'm not going through that challenge? That  trial is over? And so I can appreciate good health   if I've been sick. Boy I appreciate  good health that much more   or good friends. Or if we had financial  difficulties, when that gets turned around,   wow what a relief that it's not just struggling  every moment of the way. So when there's good   times, and when I have a loving family, it  certainly helps us to appreciate the good things,   the good things. In fact when we consider  what God has to say, He has rewards in mind,   especially for those who suffer for doing  good. Those that suffer because they obey God,   those that suffer because they  stand strong in their faith,   when they stand without fear of any persecution  or difficulties or ridicule that they might face. When we stand strong and people make fun of us  because we follow this word and we do what it   says, we obey God, God says there's a reward for  that. Romans 8:16 is a great reminder of that very   fact. Romans 8:16, it says, "We are children  of God, and if children, these were part of   the family were heirs." In fact, the Scripture  says heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ.   But then it adds an interesting part to that. It  also says, "If we suffer with Him, that we might   also be glorified together." And so suffering  helps us to appreciate. We appreciate our Savior.   We appreciate He paid the price of sin because  sin plagues us all. And we suffer because of   sin. And He helps us overcome because there's  no doubt sin brings suffering. And Christ knows   firsthand what it's like to resist sin and  resist temptation. And He wants to help us   to overcome and combat sin, and boldly come  before Him for strength when we need it. So we rely on Him, and we treasure  Him, and we count on Him. And so   when you need to understand more about  it, be sure and get our Bible study aid,   "Why Does God Allow Suffering?" Call us at the  number on your screen, go to beyondtoday.tv,   get the full story. Because there is so much to  the story of life, of why God allows suffering.   Because it brings us all the way around. God  doesn't like it any more than we do. He doesn't   like pain. He says suffering's only temporary and  there's coming a time, suffering's going to end.   In the Kingdom of God, He's going to erase it  forever. Revelation 21:4 says that very thing,   "God will wipe away every tear from their  eyes. Everyone, no more death, no more sorrow,   no more crying, no more pain." That's all going  away. Because God's got a plan and He gives us   hope. So let's look to God the Father. Let's  look to Jesus Christ who suffered and left us   an example. Exercise your free will, make  the choice, and remember in God's Kingdom,   there will be no more pain. So let's pray  for that day when suffering will end. [Narrator] We've prepared a special study aid,   "Why Does God Allow Suffering?" To help you learn  what the Bible says about this challenging topic,   "Why Does God Allow Suffering?" We'll take  you through a Biblical study to help you   understand why our world suffers  from evil and unspeakable tragedy.   Call us now for your free copy at 1-888-886-8632  or go online at beyondtoday.tv. And when you do   we'll also send you a free subscription  to "Beyond Today" magazine. This special   publication will help you make sense of often  chaotic and confusing events in our world today.   Besides helping you prepare for the challenging  future that lies ahead, "Beyond Today" magazine   will also provide you with excellent insight into  the many valuable and practical teachings of the   Bible. And once again, to order your free copy  of "Why does God Allow Suffering" and your free   subscription to "Beyond Today" magazine, call  1-888-886-8632 or go online at beyondtoday.tv.
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Channel: BeyondTodayTV
Views: 5,144
Rating: 4.8655462 out of 5
Keywords: Beyond Today
Id: wdMw0zVW6CA
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Length: 28min 26sec (1706 seconds)
Published: Tue Nov 24 2020
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