How Can a God of Love Allow Pain and Suffering? | Sunday Message

After a tragedy, lots of people are quick to question God—how could He allow such things? Yet we know from Scripture that He’s loving, merciful, and good… so how does that work? Pastor Greg Laurie responds to our question of why God allows suffering.

Notes:

Focus verse: Job 1

From the day we are born life is filled with troubles.
Job 5:7

More people point to the problem of evil and suffering as their reason for not believing in God than any other.

God doesn't become "good" just because that's my opinion of Him.
God is good because He says He is!

God’s thoughts are above our thoughts.

Mankind was not created evil, but perfect. Man has the ability to choose right or wrong. Humanity, not God, is responsible for sin. If Adam had not sinned, we would never die or get sick.

God wants to be loved and obeyed by creatures who voluntarily choose to do so.

"Undeserved" suffering is what bothers us.

Christians will suffer also. 1 Peter 4:12

We need to prepare for suffering.

Job was a man of integrity.
He was blessed by God with wealth and a wonderful family.
Job was also a prayerful man.

Job 1:8

Job lost his children. Job 1:18—20

Faith that cannot be tested is a faith that cannot be trusted.

Turn to Jesus.

God will also allow suffering and sickness to get our attention.

God is in control of all circumstances that surround the believer. The devil can do nothing in the life of the Christian without express permission on the part of God.

Suffering helps us grow spiritually and makes us stronger in our faith.
Job 42:5

Job 23:10

Trials are like God’s gym; they make where we are broken down to be built up.
James 1:2

Suffering can be used to prepare us for a special task.

Success builds walls, but failures build bridges.

2 Corinthians 1:3—5

How do you survive something like this?
You need to turn to Jesus.

“Why do bad things happen to good people?” That only happened once and He volunteered. Turn from your sin and turn to Christ.

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Learn more about Greg Laurie and Harvest Ministries at harvest.org.

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