It is the question that we as Christians avoid voicing aloud. There are some great Christian scholars who enter the debate scene to defend God on this very question. I do not pretend myself to be one of them. Rather, I am a child of God, who spent a lifetime seeking an answer within my own heart and mind to that very question. How can a Sovereign, Loving God Ordain Agony, Suffering and Pain? This was a question that even as a young child, I agonized over. Whenever I watched mom and daddy fight, I shuddered in pain. Daddy would sit quiet with head in hand, as mom screamed and even threw things. The agony of my heart, wanting to comfort Daddy and not even understanding what the fight was about.
I felt agony and pain when then in grade school I watched a child be punished unjustly. At least in my eyes, unjustly. Somehow my little heart could see within another’s heart to understand when they weren’t rebelliously disobeying. Others I knew deserved punishment, went free.
When years later mom was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, the question echoed in my mind. If God is Sovereign and He is loving, why does mom suffer the agony of her bipolar disease? She knew Him as Savior, so why did He not just heal her?
Then, when crouched into a corner with arms covering my head while being beaten and kicked; again, I asked the question. How can a Sovereign, Loving God allow such agony in my life? Furthermore, how could He ordain me to stay with Pete? Because I clearly could hear God command me to stay. Furthermore, God opened my heart to forgive and love unconditionally through it all, something impossible for my heart to do alone.
Does God Ordain Agony, or merely Allow?
Ordain means to order. This is not the same as create. God did not create evil or sin. However, if I truly believe that God is Sovereign; then, I must believe He ordains even the painful things that come into my life. To say otherwise, is to say He is not fully in control.
His very Holy, Righteous, Just and Loving nature exists. He is the essence of all that is good and right. Absence of Him by simple logic is absence of holiness, righteousness, justice, and love. Just as darkness does not exist, rather, it is the absence of light. Evil is the absence of God. Oh, don’t get me wrong. I am not saying that the unbeliever cannot feel or know of love or justice. What I am saying is they do so only because of God’s common grace in the world. He displays Himself to the world through many ways and means.
Every Detail Ordained
As a Christian, I know that every detail of my life is ordained by God. I also know that He has promised that “all things work together for good” (Romans 8:28). Not just the pretty, nice and easy things, all things. Why would He have ordained agony, pain and sorrow in my life? Or for that matter in Mom’s Life or Pete’s? Was it not His wisdom that knew exactly what our hearts needed to seek Him! His desire is for our best and greatest joy. Yet, He knows that can only be found in a relationship with Him. He created us and knows we cannot find true Being apart from Him.
What I have learned over the years is that I can trust Him completely. Would I know His Heart of Love or His Abiding, Steadfast Joy the way that I do today had I not walked through agony and sorrow? I daresay no.
THE PROBLEM OF EVIL
Within the second portion of my book, When God Commanded Build that Wall and The Evil Within; I addressed the problem of evil in great detail. There I presented four arguments, as one would as a defense attorney, explaining why evil exists. You can also find those arguments by going to How to Defend Your Faith When Attacked[1] and 3 Powerful Defenses Against the Problem of Evil.[2]
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR?
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. Because there is nothing more important than this, I urge you to seek Him today.
ARE YOU IN OF NEED PRAYER?
If you have a prayer request email me by clicking here
Or if you would like to tell me your story or thoughts comment here
For more information regarding suffering see:
How Can Suffering Teach Obedience Resulting in True Joy?
Do You Want to Know the Secret to Abiding Steadfast Joy?
A labor of love, this book provides you with 3 foundations of truth from the scripture which once known will provide you with abiding, steadfast joy. Undaunted by the storms of life; your joy will overflow.
WHEN INJUSTICE AND VIOLENCE REIGN:
Through a study of Nahum, Habukkuk, and Zephaniah; I brought their message into our modern times. Answering the questions of “Why, God?”
Providing a foundation of faith and hope; even, as we see so much evil in the world and in our nation. With so much sorrow and despair, this book I wrote to guide you into discovering God’s Perfect Plan of love; amid this chaotic world filled with life’s storms.
You may click on the picture for more information on either of these books.
ANOTHER Book Available
You can find this and all my books on Amazon.com, search Effie Darlene Barba or click this link to be taken there
OTHER RESOURCES AVAILABLE
If you want to know more about other books I have written: You can read more about each one at: Book Resources.
Or for inspirational photos or home decor click here.
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2018
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Footnotes and Credits
Photo by Anthony DELANOIX on Unsplash
[1] https://myglorytoglory.com/blog/how-to-defend-your-faith-when-attacked.html
[2] https://myglorytoglory.com/blog/3-powerful-defenses-facing-problem-evil.html