Popular Christian responses to difficult questions Suffering: “It was God’s will”

–Arthur Schopenhauer “Life without pain has no meaning.”

Gideon The angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon and said to him, “The Lord is with you, you mighty warrior.” Gideon answered him, “But sir, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all his wonderful deeds that our ancestors recounted to us, saying, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt?’ But now the Lord has cast us off, and given us into the hand of Midian.” (Judges 6:12-13)

The man born blind The disciples asked Jesus, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. (John 9:2,3)

The Suffering of Job

Again I saw that under the sun the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favour to those with knowledge, but time and chance happen to them all. For man does not know his time. (Ecclesiastes 9:11-12a)

Then Joseph’s brothers also wept, fell down before him, and said, “We are here as your slaves.” But Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid! Am I in the place of God? Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good, in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today. (Genesis 50:18-20)

What we can learn: The community of Christ supports one another Being present is enough Pray for suffering to end Pray for strength and perseverance Pray for God’s good purposes to prevail

The Suffering of Christ “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39)

–Jesus Christ “I am with you always”