Why Do G ood People S uffer?

July 19, 2009Abundant LifeChristian FellowshipKapuskasing, Ontario

M es s ag e byDan Dabrow s ki

Romans 8:35-39

There is more s uffering in our world than we

rea lize.

Luke 10:30-37

• There is great physical suffering in our world.

• There is a greater amount of mental illness and suffering than we realize.

• S ome of the most intense agony that can be experienced is emotional.

• S ome of the most intense agony that can be experienced is emotional.

• Perhaps the greatest suffering is spiritual.

S ome fa ls e s olutions to the

problem that mus t be rejec ted.

• S ome believe that all suffering comes from God.

• S ome believe that all suffering comes from God.

• S ome believe that all suffering is due to sin that has been committed by the sufferer.

Job 4:7-9 7 "C o n s id e r n o w : W h o , b e in g in n o c e n t , h a s e v e r p e r is h e d ?

       W h e r e w e r e th e u p r ig h t e v e r d e s t r o y e d ?

8 A s I h a v e o b s e r v e d , th o s e w h o p lo w e v i l        a n d th o s e w h o s o w t r o u b le r e a p i t .

9 A t th e b r e a th o f G o d th e y a r e d e s t r o y e d ;        a t th e b la s t o f h is a n g e r th e y p e r is h .

• S ome believe that all suffering is mere illusion.

Partia l explanations

for the problem of s uffering .

• The Devil deserves the blame for much of what God is charged with.

• The Devil deserves the blame for much of what God is charged with.

J o b 2 :77 S o S a ta n w e n t o u t f r o m th e p r e s e n c e o f

th e L O R D a n d a f f l ic t e d J o b w i t h p a in f u l s o r e s f r o m th e s o le s o f h is fe e t to th e to p o f h is

h e a d .

• The Devil deserves the blame for much of what God is charged with.

1  P e te r 5 :88 B e s e l f-c o n t r o l le d a n d a le r t . Y o u r e n e m y th e

d e v i l p r o w ls a r o u n d l ik e a r o a r in g l io n lo o k in g fo r s o m e o n e to d e v o u r .

• We are personally responsible for much of our suffering.

• Much of our suffering is the result of our ignorance.• Much of our suffering is due to negligence. • Much of our suffering is due to our carelessness. • Much of our suffering is due to greed • Much of our suffering is in the form of worry.

• Others are responsible for much of our suffering.

• Others are responsible for much of our suffering.

• The natural law of the universe is responsible for some suffering.

• S ome suffering does come from God

2 Cor. 12:77 To k e e p m e f r o m b e c o m in g c o n c e i t e d b e c a u s e

o f th e s e s u r p a s s in g ly g r e a t r e v e la t io n s , th e r e w a s g iv e n m e a th o r n in m y f le s h , a m e s s e n g e r

o f S a ta n , to to rm e n t m e .

How s ha ll we reac t to

s uffering ?

• S hall we react with self-pity?

• S hall we react with self-pity?

• S hall we react with blind, fatalistic resignation?

• S hall we react with self-pity?

• S hall we react with blind, fatalistic resignation?

• S hall we react with bitter resentment?

1 Cor. 10:1313 N o te m p ta t io n h a s s e iz e d y o u e x c e p t

w h a t is c o m m o n to m a n . A n d G o d is fa i t h f u l ; h e w i l l n o t le t y o u b e te m p te d

b e y o n d w h a t y o u c a n b e a r. B u t w h e n y o u a r e te m p te d , h e w i l l a ls o p r o v id e a w a y o u t

s o th a t y o u c a n s ta n d u p u n d e r i t .

One ship drives east, and another drives west,While the self-same breezes blow;

It’s the set of the sails and not the galesThat bids them where to go.

Like the sails of the seas are the ways of our willsAs we voyage along through life;

It’s the set of the soul that decides the goalAnd not the storms or the strife.

-R e b e c c a R . W i l l ia m s

Why Do G ood People S uffer?

July 19, 2009Abundant LifeChristian FellowshipKapuskasing, Ontario

M es s ag e byDan Dabrow s ki