EVIL & SUFFERING 4 | LIVING WITH EVIL AND SUFFERING

1. Why does God allow Evil and Suffering?

a) The reasons why a loving God would allow so much evil in the world are a mystery and a stumbling block to faith for many people. Why do good people sometimes suffer terribly while evil people live lives of ease? These are very difficult things to understand, but the Bible does give some clues. 

2. Living with Evil and Suffering

a) Although we cannot eliminate all evil and suffering, people who develop great faith in God often find an inner peace that simply overshadows the evils of the world and the suffering we endure (Psalms 4:8, 119:165, John 14:27, Matthew 5:4, 11:28-29, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, 1 Peter 5:6-11):

i) Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. (Psalms 23:4)

ii) I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. (Romans 8:18)

iii) We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

b) The Christian attitude is to thank and praise God for all the good things He has done rather than to blame Him for creating a world that we view as imperfect.