When I was made in secret, Christian Truth. Sometimes we may not understand why He has allowed The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working., You see, just like God disciplines us as His children in Because tragedy happened to you, it gives you a greater sense of oneness with others who experience tragedy. Costi W. Hinn is the president and founder of For the Gospel, a ministry that provides sound doctrine for everyday people through weekly videos, articles, and a podcast. Why does God allow sickness? - CompellingTruth.org To give us a clearer understanding of the subject, we And the list goes on. Whenever someone we know dies, it can lead either to bitterness toward God or to our appreciation of the gift of relationships and the life weve been given. crucial to understand that God is sovereign, and all things are under His That is, Lazarus sickness had a purpose. Sickness is Not in God's Toolkit | Duncan Pile - Patheos And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth . righteousness. I think it is totally right for millions of dollars to be invested in looking for a cure for HIV/AIDS or cancer or malaria or polio or leukemia or anything like that because those are immediate. Two of the biggest consequences we re suffering and death. However, the Bible does give us a hopeful perspective about sickness, suffering, trials, and even death that helps us sift through the broken pieces these often leave at our feet. The closest he ever came was when he said, Show me why You contend with me (Job 10:2). Ive seen it time and time again, and Im sure you have too. What Does It Mean to Live in a Post-Truth World? It is important to remember that it is Gods will for every Christian to suffer (1 Peter 4:19). God allows it because Adam's decision brought with it all the consequences of sin. In this way, we dishonour God and ourselves. God can also use physical means where the direct intervention is further back in the chain. All rights reserved. In suffering there is also a message of compassion. Years ago I sat through many services in which a faith healer explained to people why they were sick. Anne Graham Lotz: What Impossible Situation Are You Facing? The Gospel of John recounts the story. that, as a man disciplines his son, the Lord your God disciplines you.. Heather, a podcast listener, writes in to ask, Pastor John, I know there have been episodes about God ordaining evil episodes 104 and episode 204, and also episode 254 about whether God heals all of our diseases. Wonderful are Your works, Whereas being disciplined by the Lord is loving training When I was asked to explain the tragedy of the fire at the MGM Grand Hotel, I had to say, Theres a mystery to tragedies like this. But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world., Paul is showing us how to guard against unworthy partaking Why does God allow natural disasters? - GotQuestions.org But it is hugely important, and so I need to say it before I give the answer. So examine your For example, in Acts 12:23, since Herod did not give praise to God, An angel of the Lord struck him down . We wouldnt appreciate his love for sinners if we didnt realize his hatred of sin. And lastly, God can control sinful people so that they are the immediate cause of whatever. As Richard Murray recently posted on his Facebook page: Its not just that Jesus translates God for us. Gods Word says that in this context, the prayer of a righteous person has great power (v. 16 ESV). All the confusion and contradiction of Old Covenant passages shouldnt distract us from this simple truth, because Jesus came to reveal the undiluted nature of God. John 9: 1-7, As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. Toll Free: 1-877-247-2426. You can know that you are prepared to meet God, whatever the future holds. 1w; View more comments. The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. He is a graduate of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and serves as a pastor in Arizona, where he resides with his wife and four children. All of our resources exist to guide you toward everlasting joy in Jesus Christ. He firmly believed that sickness can bring us closer to God, where we are better disposed to raise our hearts and minds to our Creator. states that God is almighty over everything. Either He directly causesor He passively allowseverything that happens. A: I don't know all the reasons why God has allowed this to happen to youbut I do know this: God knows all about your situation, and He has not abandoned you. Pastors know well that no two people under their care are in the same place . God uses whatever means possible to bring us into His will At times He chooses for His own purposes, as with the apostle Paul, to leave the thorn in the flesh or to allow someone to be blind for His glory (John 9:2-3). Answer: an angel. His! We dont know the answer. And we may never know until God explains all things to us. Instead, it may be the result of the Jesus answered: Dont you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? In 2 Corinthians we read: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. And while true Christianity looks forward to that day when Jesus will return and restore all things, until then we must realize that sickness and death are part of this temporary life. He has created out of nothing. Not all passions are use ful for the so ul . God took the initiative in giving His Son Jesus Christ. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." Romans 8 When Adam died, we died with him because he represented us ( Romans 5:18 ). 2023 BGEA !. Hebrews 12:5-11 says that God disciplines those He loves. the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him.. Privacy . So my answer to Heathers question is, Yes, ultimately God does, to use her words, cause all sickness to happen. For starters, nowhere in Scripture do we find God to be a cosmic abuser who gets joy out of striking his children with sickness in the name of growth and glory. Billy Graham often said he didn't have all the answers for human suffering but that the Bible offers hope in the midst of it. Christian Truth. He is also the foundation for morality. Is it not I, the Lord?, James 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. In suffering there is a message of unity. Is sickness ever part of God's will for believers. I often think of the Apostle Pauls words: Pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18). Go, he told him, wash in the Pool of Siloam (this word means Sent). God created the world perfect - free from sickness and death (Genesis 1:21). To be clear, Im not suggesting that any person should feel bad about their sicknesses, disabilities, or disorders. Why does God allow sickness? - Employment Security Commission - NCESC The Bible describes several instances when physical suffering was caused by Satan and his demons ( Matthew 17:14-18; Luke 13:10-16 ). When we put our hands to the plow of our Christian lives, we cannot leave prayer behind. We can find other examples of this discipline in scripture. Exodus 4:11 is only one of many passages that reveal God causes people to have birth defects, illnesses, sickness or disease as a result of the fall of man in the Garden of Eden (Romans 5:12; 8:22). 1. Why Does God Allow Suffering? - Focus on the Family God is strong enough, wise enough, and powerful enough to bring purpose out of our pain, even if he doesnt take us out of the pain right away. Answer Why does God allow earthquakes, tornados, hurricanes, tsunamis, typhoons, cyclones, mudslides, wildfires, and other natural disasters? You might be thinking Ive lost my mind to think that God could somehow bring something good out of sickness, but before you give up on me, lets dig deeper. to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place (Acts 4:2728). Using the Bible again, lets face the truth that sickness and death can strike us through our sin. 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NASB), Thus says the LORD, Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me . with the world. These answers don't comfort and often aren't even true. great love for us because we are His children. You are the potter; I am the clay. Why does God let bad things happen to good people? With mass shootings and natural disasters filling the headlines, it's normal to wonder why a sovereign God allows suffering. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Sproul. Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! God aids His children. How can faith and hope and thankfulness become real to you? Or, take the human instrument. 6:7). whatever means possible so that we as His children may not be condemned along Privacy Help us continue to bring the Gospel to people everywhere through uplifting and transformative Catholic news, stories, spirituality, and more. And because of his influence, you smoke. If we want to see God as he is, we must return to Jesus again and again. First, God can cause directly with virtually no intervening causes. So, some sickness is not from God, but from Satan. In the same way, we couldnt begin to glorify him for his healing hand if we didnt experience (or see) sickness. As a disabled person myself, I can understand the temptation to think this way theres a perceived comfort in believing ones particular limitations have a divine purpose, but for me, this is lazy and harmful thinking. Let me explain: 1. So have your way. One warning that I have to raise at this point is that we dare not jump to the conclusion that an individual persons particular disease or affliction is a direct result of some particular sin. In an interview, Governor Robert List talked about the good times at the MGM only 24 hours before. Or who makes him mute or deaf, or seeing or blind? The devil said to God, If You take all those possessions away from him, hell curse You and turn from You. But God replied, You can do anything to him, except you cant kill him, and then well see (Cf. I think sometimes we miss that fact and jump right to thinking, God is going to make everything perfect. God doesnt promise that nothing bad will happen to us, but he does promise that all those things work together for good (ESV). [Read the Bible Gateway Blog post, God, Greed, and the (Prosperity) Gospel: An Interview with Costi W. Hinn]. Worst of all, death entered the scene and humankind would return to dust (v. 19). As [Jesus] went along, he saw a man blind from birth. They just make the suffering worse. The saints frequently write about sickness and suffering as gifts of God. For example, the fact that nicotine causes lung cancer means we can fight cancer by not smoking. 1 John 1:7 says But if More than chasing after the Jesus we want, this hopeful and encouraging book will guide us to discovering the Jesus we truly need. God's grace through pain. Nor will He abandon you in the future! In 1 Corinthians 11:2730, Paul says that taking communion in an unworthy manner is the reason why some people are weak, sick, or asleep (a biblical expression for death). First, deal with it with faithfaith that God loves you, faith that He will be with you, faith that even as your strength fades, Hell help you face each day with peace. Encouraging Resources to Share During Trying Times, A Conversation with Anne Graham Lotz: Look for the Blessings, Even in Cancer, Cissie Graham Lynch on Her Past Struggles With an Eating Disorder, 15 Bible Verses to Give You Hope for the Future. Subscribe to the CompellingTruth.org Newsletter: Is sickness ever part of God's will for believers? Sickness is Not in God's Toolkit. Four Biblical Truths about Sickness and Death. While that may sometimes be the case, sickness is often just a result of living in a fallen world. Is it sometimes God's will for believers to be sick? 1. Topics: Health, Hope. Follow Him and serve Him from this moment on. Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Why does God let bad things happen to good people. With gentle clarity and biblical wisdom, Costi explains how to pray for healing while submitting to Gods sovereignty, navigate tough conversations about the topic, and hold on to faith even in the most painful trials. Why does God allow suffering? That is, it happens with multiple levels of secondary causes in between him, or his direct causing, and the effect. And his disciples asked him, Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, There are many spiritual reasons why God would allow sickness. John 14:8-10, Philip said, Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.. Then God made Miriam leprous. Receive Jesus Christ into your heart as Lord and Master and Savior. So, you have between God and Herod two agents: angels and worms. I think the answer is partly contained in that very question. But God wants us to understand important truths from it before we jump to conclusions. Why Doesn't God Heal Every Sickness, Disease, and Illness? your heart and mind and sustains you with His hope and healing. Why Does God Allow Sickness? - Enabling Grace Because we have been comforted through the Word of God, we in turn may be able to comfort others. 2 of 10,000 . All Rights Reserved. As a disabled person myself, I can understand the temptation to think this way . Why did Moses create a bronze snake for healing (Numbers 21:4-9). This is clearly a punishment from God for not giving God glory. Sickness can also be the result of a demonic attack. First, God can cause directly with virtually no intervening causes. God might allow physical traumas to bring us or others to Christ as their Savior and Lord (Acts 9:3-9). So when he fell, we fell in him ( 1 Corinthians 15:22 ). Some people were told that they werent giving enough money, others apparently were not forgiving people, and others had been spending time with negative people. This is called Federal Headship. Solicitation Disclosure Statement By I do know what it is like to be spiritually thirsty. Herod, Pontius Pilate they were all gathered together . Sometimes sickness results for a very simple reason - people do not take care of themselves. Physical death is just the death of the body, but the spirit lives on. How often do we say that God is love? How did he express the love of God? Furthermore, our grief often matures us to a place where we are able to encourage and support others when they go through what we have gone through. Third, our attitude in suffering should glorify God. Romans 8:28 says, We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. This passage is often thrown around as a broad promise that everything is going to turn out the way we want it to. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28201 being renewed day by day. Amen! The Holy Fathers' Response Liviu PETCU This article includes a succession of advice, recommendations and encouragements for those who intend to adhere to what traditional Christianity asserts in the matter of suffering. For example, in Psalm 139:13-15 God declares that He formed us in the womb of our mother. Thy will be done. As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Man said, I dont need You, God. What do you have to do to be ready? They will ask, How is it that Christ is so in control of his or her life that he or she was able to help others?. We can begin to believe that sickness is the result of a person's sin. Author, pastor, and frequently sought speaker Costi Hinn provides clarity through thoughtful answers and biblical truths about Jesus and his healing ministry.
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