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Introduction:Little Carter was my cousin's only son. Born to a great family that loved their son with all of their heart, with his blond hair and great family, Carter had a promise of a good life. However, after he tragically choked on a grape, Little Carter was interred Friday June 22. 2007. At that funeral, everyone wept like babies at the loss of this child. Some might ask, "Did Father God do anyone wrong?" It is my position, and I implore you to trust me when I say that, Father God has done no one wrong.
/ >To be honest, it has taken me more than twenty-five years to even begin to understand the concept of suffering in relation to the mind of God. Yet, to have some peace in the human experience, though we can never understand the un-understandable, we must try. To comprehend the question, let us review the Nazi holocaust of the Jews. Eight million men, women, and children were put to death in some of the cruelest ways. While the human mind cannot understand the impersonal level of national suffering, and is therefore incapable of understanding the personal level of humanity's suffering, they are basically the same. Although we may not totally trust our assumptions, since we look through a glass darkly, we must still try to understand as best we can, by utilizing an honest heart and asking honest questions. Whether concerning all too personal or national loss, it is a fair question to ask, "Where was God? Or for that matter, "Where was God when the children of Israel were enslaved by the Pharaoh's of Egypt for FOUR hundred years- let alone the suffering of non Jewish men through the centuries? It seems impossible to understand, let alone explain; and I admit that, it may be impossible to completely understand now. However, lets reason together the truth that we do know. Many very competent people have refused to even try to explain the suffering of the ages, but perhaps, we should at least try.
Magnitude of suffering
The magnitude of it all worsens when we consider how long the issue of man's suffering and the alleged absence of God has been debated. Consider for that matter, where was God when Lucifer fell? Why didn't God just NOT create Lucifer in the first place? These are logical questions that require both individual and in depth responses.
After more than twenty-five years, I have whittled my way through the dilemmas of both justice and suffering. Although my knowledge is limited, while coupled with a cloudy view from this side of the vale, I am still convinced-God is just. Following the next few passages, I am convinced that you will agree that God is just.
Jesus asked, "Will I find faith when I return?" That question is in doubt but is one explanation for the opportunity for suffering today. So in small portions, I will attempt to answer with bites of reason for the purpose and meaning of human suffering. Initially, we must understand that our faith in our Father, having not yet seen His glory is very important. Remember that in the original fall, those that fell in front of the Father could see Him in all His glory, but could not partake in any of the grace, which God in Heaven seems so willing to share with mankind for blind faith. So ask yourself, is this a part of the reasoning we are looking for in the mind of God to explain the suffering of this age--blind faith. John 3:16
Faith at the end of the universe:
In the short term, at the end of the tribulation, the world will face horrible judgments for refusing light and love. But let's imagine a long term view without experience. Consider a man a thousand years old having never lived on this earth. He has lived in a perfect world. Nothing has ever changed. It has always been the same. Then Father God decides to make all things new. The floor you see, it is gone. The throne God sits on, it is gone. The heavens melt with fervent heat and they are gone! Nothing remains except the Father, the host of heaven, you and me, the Holy Spirit of God, and the Son. Except for the afore mentioned, it is all gone-except one thing--the promise of a new Heaven and a new earth found in the book of Revelation. Yes, unlike the novice that has only known perfection, another mature man that has experience trusting God will stand. Like King David who, in the trials of life, slew a lion, a bear, and a giant. Others could say, "I lived and supported my household for four decades and had seen God do great things in that temporal life." However, that man who was raised in a perfect Heaven, having never seen anything but what is pure and perfect, that man could very easily realize the universe is ending with a smashing great noise, and he could start running back and forth screaming in total panic, "This is the end!" So yes, our faith is very important. Our trust having not seen His glory is more important than we can imagine. Remember, the outline above is going to happen to our universe in the distant future. It is in the Bible, and through it all we will be just fine. By the way, everyone will have a front row to watch the creation of a new Heaven and new earth. When the elements melt and BANG go off with a great noise, will you stand on the promise which is exactly what this life teaches? (2 Peter 3:10)
So before we can understand the magnitude of suffering, perhaps we need to take a glimpse at the magnitude of God's plan for His sons and daughters. God's plan for an eternal future is a very important consideration within the dynamics of human suffering. That plan includes using all of His power and God head to create and do as He pleases. Consider Moses and the Children of Israel, after roaming the desert for forty years, while the entire nation of Israel turned and ran, even Moses pulled back from the mountain Father God came to visit in front of Israel. So, if we are immature in our faith in God, we limit God and His glory. After this life, that will not be the case. This is a start to our understanding of suffering, but there is still more.
How do we get there? How can we possibly glimpse beyond the
above cursive overview of this mystery? First, know the word of God for
yourself with an honest heart. Through out this chapter, everything in quotes is
found in the Bible in context or is very closely
(paraphrased). It takes a lot of time my friend, but you need to believe
that God is just. You just need it proven or at least be given a glimpse of His rightness.
Bear in mind, to focus on far away hurts does not address the subject of whether God is
just or unjust. Through out this chapter, we must always keep in mind Little Carter
and my cousin's family. When it is all said and done, it will be apparent
that, although difficult to understand, God has never done anyone
wrong.
Don't stop half way because it hurts.
I begin with a question. Are you going to continue with me through this with an open mind? At any time, you can choose to shut me out. I don't know you and have no clue who you are, but I must share this one thing. If I open my heart to you, don't shut me out without at least seriously considering that this is an honest attempt to explain something so emotionally charged that most people would not even try.
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