Devoting Myself To Religious Study

Christian beliefs on suffering in the world can seem counterintuitive if you're not familiar with them. However, once you learn more, you'll see how consistent these beliefs really are. Here are just four facts that can you better understand a common Christian view on suffering in the world.

1. God can withstand your emotions.

God is more powerful than the human mind can conceive. Unlike humans, who may be easily hurt by angry words, God can withstand any emotion you have. When suffering comes your way, especially when it seems unfair, you may feel deep grief or even anger. God wants to have a loving relationship with you, and He wants to hear how you're feeling. When you experience suffering, you can share your emotions with God. He can provide comfort to His children in times of pain.

2. God has an eternal perspective.

All suffering is temporary, even if it doesn't seem that way at the time. Humans experience life in a very immediate way. Everything seems important, and when you suffer, that suffering may seem interminable. However, each human life goes by in the blink of an eye to God. Best of all, Christians get to share eternal life with God. Remembering that God sees things differently can help you focus on eternity instead of your present circumstances. Since Christians know they will one day live forever with God, they too can adopt an eternal perspective.

3. God wants to give His children good things.

All humans are God's children. Like any father, God loves His children and wants to give them good gifts. God doesn't want His children to suffer unnecessarily, but like a father, He may sometimes allow bad things to happen to discipline them. Christians find comfort in remembering God's words. God tells Christians that all of His plans are designed to help and not harm them. Even if the suffering you experience feels senseless, you can take comfort in the fact that God will work it all out for your good.

4. God has a plan.

Christians can remember that God has a plan that was created before He even created the world. Sin entered the world in the Garden of Eden, but God will ultimately prevail. When God defeats Satan in the future, suffering and death will be no more. You can take comfort in the knowledge that suffering will one day be eradicated.