With a UCG.org account you will be able to save items to read and study later! Why does God allow accidents? - Living Word Labels Why Does a Loving God Allow Human Suffering? Why would a loving God allow for people to die a painful death in accidents? How are these things possible if God really loves and cares for us? Buddhists have taught the concept of Karma for several thousand yearsthat a persons actions have long-range consequences. But why? In Romans 8:28 the Bible promises, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.". They had faith in Him and served Him as a Christian. Was God powerless to intervene? Immortal Souls and Eternal Life? And when God completed his creation, he surveyed all he had made and declared that it wasvery good (Gen. 1:31). But God has promised to be with us when hard times comeand one way He does this is through the protection of . He has held me fast. What about reported life-after-death experiences? Privacy And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of theLordyour God. Reincarnation? These answers don't comfort and often aren't even true. You had an emergency root canal at the dentistand then ran out of pain-killers. Making and growing disciples involves taking peoples spiritual temperature, helping them confront and address sin, guiding them to develop a love for Scripture, and much more. You are suffering due to a lack of faith. It might be chronic. In Romans 8:18 we read: "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.". God has the last word! God can do all things. So love is the highest value in the universe. Why God was working with the gentiles when he promised to be Israels God. But we still wonder why bad things happenalthough we know God is still in control, even if evil sometimes seems to be winning. In one situation, a number of brethren from Galilee were killed and their blood was mingled with the sacrifices by Pontius Pilate. For anyone whos been crushed by grief, I know that questions remain. We dont always understand why God does what He doeswhy some live and others do not, but we can be assured of the fulfillment of Gods promise that we will see our loved ones again in the wonderful Kingdom of God. A Psalm of David. Of coursebut you still had kids. Each weekly CT Pastors issue equips you with the best wisdom and practical tools for church ministry. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground. Job's friends give lots of bad answers. Resurrections? Our place is not to know all of Gods purposes but to trust in him, even if we dont understand. We were following the taillights of that truck when the fog slowly began to lift, the rain began to let up and we entered a town with some lights. Jesus said, Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted (Matthew 5:4). Answer. Even the Savior, our example, suffered infirmities, "that his bowels may be filled with mercy" and so that He could know "how to succor his people" ( Alma 7:12 ). Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image.1 Timothy 5:23 (No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. In another, others were killed when the Tower of Siloam collapsed (Luke 13:1-5). Blessed be theLord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle;, Psalm 46:1 To the choirmaster. Editors Note: Originally published in 2012, the following is adapted from a sermon in response to the mass shooting in Aurora, Colorado, preached by author and apologist Lee Strobel on Sunday, July 22, at Cherry Hills Community Church in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. Throughout Luke 13:1-5, Jesus Christs point to those gathered was that these people were no worse sinners than anyone else and this wasnt punishment for a life of sin. Psalm 121:7-8 TheLordwill keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. Two quick words of advice for those who would want to come alongside someone in their grief. If you walk in my statutes and observe my commandments and do them, then I will give you your rains in their season, and the land shall yield its increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit. Buddhists have taught the concept of Karma for several thousand years that a persons actions have long-range consequences. Let's say that on the first day of 2012, you had an awful day. But they did eventually die, and so do all of the rest of us (Rom. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Lets ask God to have mercy on us and protect us and our loved ones from accidents. I describe the story more fully in a prior post, and Ill borrow from some of that post a bit here. Send inquiries regarding the operation of this Web site to webmaster@ucg.org. We have detected that you are using extensions to block ads. Many people said to us, If there anything you need, just let us know. Where Is God When Bad Things Happen? Trials can open our eyes to those who are suffering. To me, that's evidence of a loving God, that he would care that much for us. I have conquered the world.". In addition, Psalm 23 tells us that God is our shepherd: guiding us, providing for us, and protecting us from evil. The U.S. Navy heard the likely implosion of the missing Titan sub on Sunday. The Psalms are probably one of the most helpful places in the Bible to turn to when processing grief. Let me give you an analogy. And humanly speaking, this is true. Reading on from 1 Peter 4:12, quoted at the beginning of this article where apostle Peter tells us to expect hardship and trials, we are told how we react to our sufferings is what counts (I Peter 4:13-17). Likewise, we cant smoke for 50 years and question why God didnt protect us from lung cancer. Why? This is how sin contaminated the world. Instead, his point to the recipients of his epistle was: " Expect it." Satan is the god of this age (1 Corinthians 4:4). In the course of time Cain brought to theLordan offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Because a forced love is really no love at all. This answers the question you hear so often: "Why didn't God merely create a world where tragedy and suffering didn't exist?" The answer is: He did! United Church of Godis a501(c)3organization. [9] If they suffer an accident, it would be because God consciously lifted the protection for a particular righteous purpose. One thing is clear: Good and bad permeate every . So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy. In another, a group of people were killed when the Tower of Siloam collapsed. He makes the solemn pledge that he will take the bad circumstances that befall us and cause good to emerge if we're committed to following him. That's the answer given in Job, the book of the Bible which wrestles at greatest length with these questions. Some people enjoy full protection from God. All of the tragic events of recent days may challenge our faith, but they can also be an opportunity to grow in faith if we "lean on God" in the way that K.B. When my daughter was little, she had a doll with a string in the back, and when you pulled it the doll said, "I love you." Maybe you've never asked why our world is infected with pain and suffering, but my guess is you will when they strike you or a loved one with full force. Even the fish will take it in. Why Do Christians Die In Accidents? In those cases, we can definitely say that the suffering is the result of personal sin (just not theirs), and we learn the lesson that our sin always affects others around us. What Is The Role Of The Man Of The House? You shall have no other gods before me. Should Christians Believe in a Young Earth? Were in a desperate situation for sure, but God has already provided a way for us to be rescued from this horrible sin. The harm was too great, the damage was too extreme, the depth of my suffering has been too much.". This has been so freeing for me. Godloved Adam and Eve, and all he ever really wanted was for them to love him as well. In verse 16 of Psalm 139, David says, Your eyes saw my unformed body;all the days ordained for me were written in your bookbefore one of them came to be.. In them he has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy. He was despised and rejected of men. I think of it like pouring a tablespoon of red food coloring into a beautiful fish aquarium. When the Devil tempted Jesus Christ in Mark 4, he clearly quoted a passage from the book of Psalms, where we hear the Psalmist praising God for His protection: No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. Part 2, What Is Some of the Best Evidence for the Global Flood? Words can't describe the joy and the delight and the fulfillment! But God doesn't force anyone to love him, does he? He is our refuge and our strength, and a help in time of trouble. Suffering doesn't have the last word anymore. On January 26, 2020, our world was shocked to hear of the tragic death of Kobe Bryant. However, do unpleasant situations like accidents come due to a persons sins? God is causing your suffering because "______." True followers of Jesus are spared from suffering. To somehow cushion the fall, preventing an untimely and tragic death? In the first situation, a number of brethren from Galilee were killed and their blood was mingled with the sacrifices by Pontus Pilate. . Why Does God Let Accidents Happen? - BEST OF CHRISTIANITY 5 Surprising Things That the Bible Says about Sex, 10 Things You Should Know about the Great Apostasy, Who Is The Whore Of Babylon? The greater the tragedy the fewer the words. Genesis 1:31 says: "God saw all that he had made, and it was very good." How do you move forward as a husband, a dad, a Pastor? Why does God allow the innocent to suffer? | GotQuestions.org Send a restaurant gift card in the mail. It was asked in the Old Testament by Job and the writers of the Psalms, and it was especially relevant during the 20th Century, where we witnessed two World Wars, the Holocaust, genocides in the Soviet Union and China, devastating famines in Africa, the killing fields of Cambodia, the emergence of AIDS, the genocide in Rwanda and the ethnic cleansing of Kosovo. All correspondence and questions should be sent to . What The Scriptures Say The Bible says much about unpleasant situations in the lives of Christians. Suffering carries a message of mystery. But if there is harm, then you shall pay life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.Isaiah 6:9-10 And he said, Go, and say to this people: Keep on hearing, but do not understand; keep on seeing, but do not perceive. Make the heart of this people dull, and their ears heavy, and blind their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed., Deuteronomy 28:47-48 Because you did not serve theLordyour God with joyfulness and gladness of heart, because of the abundance of all things, therefore you shall serve your enemies whom theLordwill send against you, in hunger and thirst, in nakedness, and lacking everything. Apart from time and chance happening to everyone and God deciding to intervene in certain circumstances, there is also the issue that we often suffer the unavoidable consequences of our own unwise behaviour. The Bible says, "Great is the mystery of godliness" (1 Timothy 3:16). But they did eat it. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. As a result, Adam and Eve would die, just as God had warned. If we extrapolate this concept to the modern daywe cant smoke for 50 years and then question why God didnt protect us from lung cancer. Why Does God Allow Tragedies Caused by Natural Disasters, Accidents The Bible teaches that God's wrath is preceded by a warning so that people have the opportunity to repent (Amos 3:7), as opposed to the many tragic occurrences that strike daily and without warning throughout the world. Your relationship with God is close and real and intimate. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. Local: 704-401-2432 We've all seen examples of how the same suffering that causes one person to turn bitter, to reject God, to become hard and angry and sullen, can cause another person to turn to God, to become more gentle and more loving and more tender, willing to reach out to compassionately help other people who are in pain. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. This is a biblical principle. In the third option, I have a God who loves Jude, and could have protected him, but chose not to. There are no words to describe the anguish being felt by those who are suffering today; our heart and prayers have, and will, go out to them. )John 14:15 If you love me, you will keep my commandments.2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work., Exodus 21:22-25 When men strive together and hit a pregnant woman, so that her children come out, but there is no harm, the one who hit her shall surely be fined, as the womans husband shall impose on him, and he shall pay as the judges determine. At a moment of crisis, my drive to excel seemed increasingly pointless. The man who sounded the trumpet was beside me., Deuteronomy 28:1-68 And if you faithfully obey the voice of theLordyour God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, theLordyour God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And he will put a yoke of iron on your neck until he has destroyed you.2 Samuel 4:4 Jonathan, the son of Saul, had a son who was crippled in his feet. What should we understand? These sudden, unexpected, and tragic deaths were not a result of these peoples sins. Many people wonder: "If God has the power to eradicate evil and suffering, then why doesn't he do it? Well discuss this question in our next post. There are so many tragic stories, so much pain. Good deeds lead to good karma, bad deeds lead to bad karma. God had the ability to protect Jude, but did not want to. For they do not wash their hands when they eat. He answered them, And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? And if we follow those lights, they will lead us toward some conclusions that I believe can help satisfy our hearts and souls. The same is true in understanding why there is tragedy and suffering in our lives. It will be a great time of joy as we will meet our loved ones who departed in Christ. Don't miss this opportunity to find out more about this important subject! If someone gets into a car without a seatbelt and gets into a horrible accident, and we question why God didnt protect them, the honest answer is that there are consequences to our choices and we ultimately reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7). Why Does God Allow Suffering and Pain? And his name was Mephibosheth., Psalm 19:1-6 To the choirmaster. Toll Free: 1-877-247-2426. It is for this reason that we must stand strong in the faith as we hold to the strength, power, and authority of Jesus Christ to overcome every obstacle put on our way by Satan. What Does The Bible Say About Actions Speak Louder Than Words? Genesis 1:31 says: "God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.". One of the most difficult aspects of following God is when we see something bad happen to people that we love. And the 21st Century didn't start any better. But in it all, I am thankful that I have a God who knows me, is with me, and is sovereign over all things. In simple terms, this is seen as a cosmic bank account that credits and debits your future with each action and consequence however unrelated it might be, is a result of the balance of your account. The short answer is that God never meant for the world to be this way. These ideas can't all be right! It all happened just 21 miles from where we're sitting. Tragedies like the 2023 earthquake in Turkey and Syria cause many people to question God's goodness. ", And those two tragic events are just added to the everyday pain and suffering being experienced in individual lives. Many of you are parents. Are you despised? Do Tragedies Happen Because God Is Punishing People? For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out Gods wrath on the wrongdoer.Acts 4:28 To do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place.1 Timothy 5:8 But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever., Luke 10:27 And he answered, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.Matthew 5:38-39 You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. Finally, the fifth point of light: We decide whether to turn bitter or turn to God for peace and courage. Justice will be served in a perfect way. But what about diseases, natural disasters, and tragic accidents? Much of the book of Job is spent discoursing this concept back and forth between Job, his friends and God. Why Doesnt God Reveal Himself More Clearly to Everyone? But be courageous! Jesus Christ will return, and the Kingdom of God will be established. He has been given control over the earth for a time. When people who love and follow God die in a sudden, unexpected or tragic wayit can cause us to question where God was and why He did not intervene. On several occasions David escaped death in the hands of King Saul because the protection of God was upon his life. Father, thank you for hearing and answering me. We do not know. So in order for us to experience love, God bestowed on us free will. We dont always understand why God does what He doeswhy some live and others do not. Adam and Eve, the first two human beings that God created, had a wonderful relationship with God. Titanic sub destroyed in 'catastrophic implosion,' all five aboard dead What should we take as conclusion? Several years ago, I commissioned a national survey and asked people what question they'd ask if they could only ask God one thing. The Biblical book of Job discuses this very concept back and forth between Job, his friends, and God. He has been given control over the earth for a time. Every tear we shed becomes his tear. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.