Tom Rice Ministries

IF GOD EXISTS WHY DOES HE ALLOW SUFFERING?

One day whilst driving my bus towards the end of the route I was left with a man who was very upset. He was very unhappy at what was taking place at his next door neighbours’ house. The neighbours apparently were extremely noisy and always arguing and the children were suffering badly. As I slowed down and looked at this man I remember I had seen him before. It suddenly dawned on me I had seen this man in Church. I turned and asked him if he was praying for his neighbours and the children? He replied how could he? I asked him, if he was not asking God to help them, then who, could they rely on? Surely having such needy people next door should encourage you to seek God’s help for them? “I asked.” To “Love thy neighbour” is God’s will and I am sure you want to do that? The gentleman then left in a bit more of a mood and I think a little more upset. Here was suffering and here was a Christian who was not praying for those desperately in need.

I have got angry instead of praying, when people have wronged me but I have learned that if I pray against all my anger and hurt for those who have wounded me, miracles can and do take place. We “Christians” should be praying against all suffering sickness and disease and we sometimes fail because of our own hurts and upsets and our refusal to act as Jesus did! It is, however, something we all have to learn on our journey. When we do, it is so wonderful because things happen when we love enough to forget our own pain and think of others. Suffering is then overcome with love and love will find a way where nothing else can. Love and suffering go hand in hand and love never fails to find a response. Jesus took the suffering of the world on His Shoulders and carried them to the cross where they would weigh upon Him. In answer to his cry “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me” God’s anger and wrath were poured upon Him (what we deserved) and perfect love was taken away from Jesus as He was separated by our sin and abandoned to the grave for us! His suffering was the price He willingly paid for our eternal freedom (If we choose)! Suffering is part of life and we as Christians should be willing to share in those sufferings.

“But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.”
Hebrews 2:9

Jesus was made to suffer death so that God could pay the price for everyone and so His suffering was ordained by God for us!

“For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.” Hebrews 2:10

We the Church (members of His Body) are responsible in many ways and I personally am not innocent in this. I am now making headway and seeking God when a need is aroused in me. I can ask the God of heaven to help and He does. Those around me who mock me and do their best to make my life difficult are in my prayers as well of the needs that God lays on my heart. If I share in the sufferings of Christ I am blessed and so will those who are prayed for.

If we take away the suffering we would have heaven on earth! As my brother David once said “this is certainly not heaven and it will never be as long as it is a sin cursed earth.” Not until the Lord comes back to rule and reign will suffering cease but the more people who find God and seek Him for the hurting, hungry and lost against all the odds will see the comfort their prayers can bring about. God cares and He hates suffering. So ask Him to help!

GOD HAS RESTRICTED HIMSELF TO WORKING THROUGH HIS CREATION!

HE WORKS THROUGH US!!!!

Don’t blame God for we ourselves are all to blame if we don’t ask Him!