Why did God let that happen?

Greek Philosopher Epicurus

If God is not able to prevent evil, then he’s not all-powerful.

If God is not willing to prevent evil, then he’s not all good.

If God is both willing and able to prevent evil, then why does evil exist?

“Do you think those Galileans were worse sinners than all the other people from Galilee?” Jesus asked. “Is that why they suffered? Not at all! And you will perish, too, unless you repent of your sins and turn to God. And what about the eighteen people who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them? Were they the worst sinners in Jerusalem? No, and I tell you again that unless you repent, you will perish, too.” Luke 13:2–5 (NLT)

As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth. “Rabbi,” his disciples asked him, “why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents’ sins?” “It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,” Jesus answered. “This happened so the power of God could be seen in him. John 9:1–3 (NLT)

WHAT SUFFERING DOESN’T PROVE. (That God DOESN'T Exist)

You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. Genesis 50:20 (NLT)

And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. Romans 5:2–4 (NIV)

WHAT SUFFERING MAY ACTUALLY PROVE. (That God DOES Exist)

My argument against God was that the universe seemed so cruel and unjust. But how had I got this idea of just and unjust? A man does not call a line crooked unless he has some idea of a straight line. What was I comparing this universe with when I called it unjust? If the whole show was bad and senseless from A to Z, so to speak, why did I, who was supposed to be part of the show, find myself in such a violent reaction against it?

Thus, in the very act of trying to prove that God did not exist - in other words, that the whole of reality was senseless - I found I was forced to assume that one part of reality - namely my idea of justice - was full of sense. If the whole universe has no meaning, we should never have found out that it has no meaning: just as, if there were no light in the universe and therefore no creatures with eyes, we should never have known it was dark. Dark would be without meaning.

CS Lewis - Mere Christianity

HOW DO WE DEAL WITH SUFFERING? (We Look to Jesus)

“(Some mortals) say of some temporal suffering, “No future bliss can make up for it,” not knowing that Heaven, once attained, will work backward and turn even that agony into a glory.” C.S. Lewis

Bottom Line:

God is good even when life is not.

Challenge:

Share your sorrow.