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Why does God allow sickness?



    
    

Clarify (1) Share Report Asked July 01 2013 Mini Anonymous (via GotQuestions)

Community answers are sorted based on votes. The higher the vote, the further up an answer is.

20
Mini Glenn Harrell Supporter Bi-vocational Minister, writer
The human body begins it's journey to death at conception.

There are at least 5,000 species of virus, not to mention germs and fungus, and at any time, the human body with it's amazing antibody system could be fighting off several simultaneously. 

This miracle of healing most often goes on without our thankfulness and praise to God for healing! We can change this fact with such a prayer of thanksgiving each morning we open our eyes. Give your day away with all of it's unknown's.

As Michael alludes, sin, sickness and death cannot always be linked together in a cause-effect scenario. The medical community has a good comprehension on this thing because they live it every day. It is difficult and quite painful, especially in the children's ward. By the way, pray for them and often. They bear deep burdens.

Also, when was the last time you saw one of the money grubbing TV scam artist "healers" doing his thing down at the children's ward of the local hospital? Same here.

God allows not only sickness, but many in-explainable tragedies that occur daily around the world. 

What we do know is:
  -We have a suffering Savior who is acquainted with grief. Isaiah 53:3
  -We all inherited sin and an appointment with death. Hebrews 9:27
  -God is long-suffering 2 Peter 3:9
  -Jesus is a kind Redeemer who conquered death. 2 Corinthians 5:1-2
  -Not all sickness leads to death John 11:4
  -We understand that this world is not our home and have no promise of how long we will dwell here. I Peter 2:11
  -Our promised home has no sickness or death Revelation 21:4

God allows sickness because he allowed Adam to sin and he allowed that sin to infect all who are born of flesh. Questioning why me, or why those I love is a normal feeling and positive sign of our humanity in Christ. 

The second Adam, Jesus, knew no sin and yet he died for you and me. He taught us to fear God who can destroy both body and soul in hell. Matthew 10:28 He demonstrated his healing but also that not everyone experiences healing. He defeated death and it's sting. I Corinthians 15:53-58

We can be thankful to God in the midst of our sickness, trusting the outcome to him and the medical community. We can call for the elders to come and pray for us. James 5:13-17

Make no mistake about it; all healing's and forgiveness comes from God. No doctor, minister, prayer or pill can heal us; they merely assist in the process God invented for us. 

While I am sick and hurting, I experience both the megaphone of God and the still small voice of God. I leave this period in my life much more capable of relating to others in their grief. I, and only I, know when my sickness may be the result of my own sin and folly. (most of my bruises are self-inflicted) 

After personal pain and brokenness, I am much less prone to give quaint, pat "answers" and improper, ill-timed quotes of scripture to hurting people. Saying less is most always more and most times just being there with a hug and silent prayer is enough. God doesn't ask us to fix anyone (his job), but to feel with them (our job). Romans 12:15

The writer of "Be Still My Soul" Katharina von Schlegel said as well as anyone who has written a poem on this subject: 

"Be still my soul: the Lord is on your side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to your God to order or provide; 
In every change God faithful will remain.
Be still my soul:
Your best, your heavenly friend
through thorny ways leads to a joyful end."

October 16 2013 3 responses Vote Up Share Report


19
Shea S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries
The issue of sickness is always a difficult one to deal with. The key is remembering that God's ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:9). When we are suffering with a sickness, disease, or injur...

July 01 2013 0 responses Vote Up Share Report


9
Mini Sue D Supporter
I think sometimes God allows suffering or illness so that when we pray and our prayer is answered, as mine was, we know how much He loves us. Also, in my case, He used it to help me when I was feeling doubt.

October 16 2013 0 responses Vote Up Share Report


9
Eced7a1f c81d 42f4 95ea 9d5719dce241 Singapore Moses Supporter Messenger of God, CEO in IT industry, Astronaut, Scientist
Why do we go through sicknesses in our life?

All the three Persons of the Godhead are interested in our health. (Psa 35:27). 

► God the Father bound Himself to His people with a promise, "I am the Lord who heals you" (Ex 15:26). 

► God the Son bore our sicknesses on the Cross (Mt 8:17). 

► God the Holy Spirit bestows gifts of healing and gives life to our mortal bodies (1 Cor 12:9; Rom 8:11).

►► Though healing is a free gift from God, there are several conditions to receive healing. 

There was no sickness prior to the fall of Adam and Eve. Therefore it is proper to seek healing of the soul before the healing of the body. To the paralytic, Jesus first said, "Your sins are forgiven you" and then, "Arise, take up your bed and go to your house" (Mt 9:1-7). While listing the benefits God bestows on us, David put them in proper order. First, forgiveness and then healing (Psa 103:2,3). Prophet Isaiah also indicated the same order when he was describing Calvary (Isa 53:5).

Jesus preached about the Kingdom of God before healing the people (Mt 4:23). Healing is a Kingdom blessing for the Kingdom citizens. One must be born again into this Kingdom to enjoy the privileges of citizenship. This does not mean that God never heals a person unless he surrenders his life to Him. God is love. He gives rain and shine both to the good and the bad. In calling us as His own children, His love towards us is intensified (1 Jn 3:10).

If we fall sick, taking stock of our lives is a must. Physical health and spiritual well-being are entwined (3 Jn 2). Though all sickness is not divine discipline, it is certainly one of the rods God uses to correct His people (Dt. 28:58,59). God struck Miriam with leprosy for the sin of backbiting. She was healed after seven days of repentance (Num 12). The physical suffering of Job deepened his repentance and heightened his knowledge of the Holy (Job 42:5,6). 

After healing the man at Bethesda who had been sick for 38 years, Jesus warned him, "Sin no more, lest a worse thing comes on you" (Jn 5:14). As long as David was covering his sin, he could not enjoy health and vitality (Psa 32:3,4; 38:3). This relationship of spiritual well-being to physical health is rediscovered by modern medicine. The human immune system is inhibited by bad moral choices. Earlier we repent, sooner will we recover.

Be Thou our great Deliverer still, Thou Lord of life and death;
Restore and quicken, soothe and bless, with Thine almighty breath!

August 11 2014 3 responses Vote Up Share Report


5
Open uri20120904 29416 1q0aqvn Crystal George Supporter
God doesn't "allow" sickness, he made the world perfect but Adam chose sin and satan instead, and sickness is just one of the consequences we all have to face because of that.

October 16 2013 2 responses Vote Up Share Report


5
Photomania Evelyn Leilou Supporter Writer, Artist, Founder of Chapter 13 Poet Society
The Bible tells us in Revelation 21:4 that there is coming a time when all sorrow, tears, pain and death will pass away. There's coming a wonderful day when God will wipe away all tears from the eyes of His children, and our sorrow will end forever. 

Dear reader, I hope you are a Christian, so you too may claim this blessed promise that God has made to those who have come to know Him through His beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. There's a great day coming for those who have been saved by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

However, for this present time, we must face the undeniable fact that people do suffer. That's a fact of life. You can find sickness, sorrow, and suffering in all walks of life. It's everywhere you look. This very moment you can probably think of someone very close to you who is suffering greatly, and it just doesn't seem fair. 

At sorrowful moments we think 'Why does God allow it to happen? Does God even care? If God is so good and holy, then why doesn't He put an end to all suffering and pain?" Let us not let the devil use us and our love for the Lord to question God when all has a purpose in our life....

For example: God will use suffering to teach us patience. Romans 5:3 tells us that, ".... tribulation worketh patience... " Remember Job? God allowed Satan to take Job's oxen, his asses, his sheep, his camels, his servants, his children, and even his health. Yet, the Bible says, ".... In all this did not Job sin with his lips." (Job 2:10) In the latter end God restored to Job TWICE as much as he originally had (Job 42:10). 

Are you willing to trust God and patiently wait for His deliverance when trouble comes your way?

Some people suffer so that they will be better equipped to comfort others in their suffering (II Cor. 1:3-4). It's always a blessing to know someone who has gone through the same troubles that you are going through, for they usually have some helpful words of comfort and wisdom. Are you going through some pretty tough times? Maybe the Lord is giving you the experience that you'll need to help someone else later.

Friend, as you can see, there are a number of reasons why God allows people to suffer. He always knows what is best, and He never makes a mistake. David said, "It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes." (Psa. 119:71) The Apostle Paul, one who suffered greatly, said these words in Romans 8:28: "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." He also said, "I can do all things through Christ which strengthen me." (Philip. 4:13)

The Lord Jesus Christ suffered for us all, that we might have eternal life. The curse of suffering and death entered this world because of sin, but we can escape the curse through the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus said, ".... I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (Jn. 14:6) 

There is coming a day when all suffering will end for those who know the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior. Revelation 21:4 says, "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away."

Hold on my friends and put the armor of God... do not fall-away for everything in life has a reason...

August 18 2014 0 responses Vote Up Share Report


4
Scan14 Michael Tinsley Supporter Retired Army veteran. Love my Bible (Jesus) and fishing.
Our triune God created Adam and Eve eternal, in sinless perfection. They would still be alive if they had not disobeyed Him and eaten from the tree of knowledge of right and wrong, good and evil.

Sin, sickness and death were the result of man's (Adam and Eve's) choice to believe a lie, Genesis 3:4, "'You will not surely die," the serpent said to the woman"'. Adam was there as well, Genesis 3:6, " She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it."

Original sin caused us to inherit Adam's (He was the first created) physical and spiritual DNA. Only through Jesus' death and resurrection and our vicarious death and resurrection with Him, was sin defeated and were we given eternal life.

We live in this tent of flesh which is still subject to sickness and death even though our eternal salvation and resurrection bodies are assured.

God doesn't 'allow' sickness, it is instead, the result of our sin inheritance from Adam. God's holiness doesn't allow Him to let people live forever in a sinful state. Adam chose and we did as well to be sinful and separated from God.

Wonderfully, God provides a way to escape the wages of sin through Jesus Christ our Redeemer. We don't get what we deserve, separation from God. Instead we get unmerited, Ephesians 2:8-9, forgiveness, a perfect resurrection body when we die physically, and eternal life with Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith, Hebrews 12:2, King of Kings 
and Lord of Lords.

Sickness is our (Adam's inherited) fault. Sin causes God to condemn us but He also provides a way of escape, faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ. 

James 5:15, " And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven."

This is why Christianity is the only belief that saves. Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."

Yes our earthly bodies will suffer sickness, decay and death but through faith our eternal salvation is secure and our eternal perfect bodies await us.
1 Corinthians 15:42, "... The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable."

We have the assurance of salvation through faith here on Earth and the promise of life everlasting in our wonderfully perfect new bodies when we are resurrected with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Evelyn points out above, Revelation 21:4, "He will wipe every tear from their (our) eyes. There will be no more death (Isaiah 25:8) or mourning or crying, or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

Thanks and praise be to God for His gifts of grace and faith and to our Savior, Jesus Christ for unmerited forgiveness and the gift of life eternal.

December 17 2015 1 response Vote Up Share Report


3
Stringio Vincent Mercado Supporter Skeptic turned believer, Catholic, father of 3
It is very interesting that the Jews have no qualms about having a all-powerful and loving God, yet sickness, disasters and other physical evils exist in this world. I sincerely believe we, Christians, are missing something relevant that blocks our understanding of God, unlike the Jews.

And it goes the same with all questions of this suit: Why did God "such and such"? Job, a perfect man, lived a holy life, yet he lost his livelihood, his wealth, his loved ones, even his own health, begin questioning God and demanding God for an answer. God responded, but never gave him an answer. Instead, God placed him on trial, asking him questions to which he doesn't know the answer. We simply cannot comprehend the mind of God. c.f. Job 38:2. Our knowledge is too limited as compared to the infinite wisdom of God.

Do we really have an answer for this question? I do not think so.

October 16 2013 1 response Vote Up Share Report


3
Mini Frederick Thomas Supporter Rom 3:4 ...let God be true...
If we were perfect the following lesson would not be needed, but we are all partakers of God's discipline 

We cannot escape God`s discipline as we are still not perfect. Discipline will always be part of our life until we go home 
When things go awkward in our lives does not mean the devil sneaked pass God and whack us as God neither sleep nor slumber. He is watching over us. 
We are bought with a price
God’s property
His children
He is our the Shepherd
God is our Protector and I belief NOHING can happen to me because God fulfil this duty 100% no mistakes and that whatever happens to me is allowed for a purpose. I have a very big respect for the perfect protection I received from God. Even the discipline is part of His protection for me. My Father is getting me home.
Joh10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 
Joh10:29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
Meaning 
And none shall ever pluck them from thence; no man can do it, not any false teacher can remove them from Christ, by all the art and cunning he is master of; nor any violent persecutor, by all the force and power he can use; nor can any sin, or snare, or temptation, draw them out of Christ's hands; nor any adversity whatever separate them from him: they must be safe, and always abide there, who are in the hands of Christ; for his hands have laid the foundations of the heavens and the earth, they grasp the whole universe, and hold all things together; and who then can pluck any out of these hands? Moreover, Christ, as Mediator, has all power in heaven and earth; and even as man, he is the man of God's right hand, made strong for himself.
2Ti 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. 

Nothing can happen to a Christian unless God allows it

Joh 19:11
(CEV) Jesus replied, "If God had not given you the power, you couldn't do anything at all to me. ……………
(ERV) Jesus answered, "The only power you have over me is the power given to you by God. 

Joh 19:11
Thou couldest — rather, “shouldst.”
have no power at all against me — neither to crucify nor to release, nor to do anything whatever against Me [Bengel].
except it were — “unless it had been.”
given thee from above — that is, “Thou thinkest too much of thy power, Pilate: against Me that power is none, save what is meted out to thee by special divine appointment, for a special end.”(Purpose)

Heb12:2 Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from beginning to end. He did not give up because of the cross! On the contrary, because of the joy that was waiting for him, he thought nothing of the disgrace of dying on the cross, and he is now seated at the right side of God's throne.(purpose) 

Rom 8:28 And we KNOW that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 
Rom 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 
What happen to us is for a purpose.
Psa119:67 Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word. 
(ERV) Before I suffered, I did many wrong things. But now I carefully obey everything you say. 

Job 5:6 Although affliction cometh not forth of the dust, neither doth trouble spring out of the ground; 
Job 5:17 Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty: 
Job 5:18 For he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole. (God takes responsibility when He allows satan to buffet us)

Exo 4:11 And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? Or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? Have not I the LORD? 
1Co 11:30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. 
1Co 11:31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 
1Co 11:32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. (weak and sickly among you, and many sleep) New Testament
1Co_5:5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. (Purpose)
2Co 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 
1Ti_1:20 Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.(Purpose) 
Gal 4:13 Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first. 
Gal 4:14 And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.(when you weak you are strong)
2Co 12:6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me. 
2Co 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 

Pro 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. 

2Co 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. (purpose)New Testament

Heb 12:5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: 
Heb 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 
Heb 12:7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 
Heb 12:8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. 
When you are perfect you don’t need correction.
Heb 12:10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. (purpose)
Heb 12:11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.(purpose) 
What we must learn is, HOW TO BE WEAK WHEN YOU STRONG.

January 08 2014 0 responses Vote Up Share Report


2
Image John Ejimah Supporter Founder: OBLIGATION TO CHRIST MINISTRIES INC.
To start with, sickness has never been part of Gods plans for his people. The fall of Man in the garden of Eden of course leads to afflictions by Satan and his demons as seen throughout the bible. But what did GOD himself say after appointing a people to himself through our covenant Father Abraham? 

We find that none of the Patriarchs ( Abraham , Isaac & Jacob) had any recorded history of Sickness nor diseases. They all died in good old age. I fact, Jacob sat up on his bed & pronounce blessings on His children before laying back again to die peacefully. ( Gen. 49 v 33)

When God took the Children of Israel out of Egypt, HE pronounced Himself their Healer promising never to put the afflictions he laid on the Egyptians on them if only they will obey what he commands them to do.(Exodus 25v 26 & Deut.,7: 15). From this, we know that a Child of God who willfully lives in disobedience call fall sick. Even then, there are Scriptural remedies as we shall see later on. The only condition that God promises to allow sickness upon his people is when they disobey HIS instructions. (Deut. 8).
Even when sickness comes, the remedies provided include:-

1. Serving God so he would take them away. (Exodus, 23: v 25).
2. We need to correctly apply (confess) the Words of God which is known as "the Balm in Gilead". (Jeremiah 8: v 22). This can recover our health.
As we move into the Messianic Prophecies we learn that the stripes which Jesus would receive before His crucifixion would be for our healing. That is clearly pointed out in the prophecy of Isaiah.(Isaiah 53: V 5).

Thus, when Christ came, he healed many who were afflicted with diverse ailments. The book of Acts clearly pointed out both the cause of affliction on Gods people as well as the remedies. We were clearly told that " Christ was anointed by God and He went about doing good and healing all those who were afflicted by the Devil. (Acts 10:v 38). 

We must remember again the Woman that Christ healed on the sabbath. When challenged by the Pharisees, His reply was " ought not this daughter of Abraham whom Satan has bound this 18 years be loosed from her affliction?" Luke 13: V 16. We can clearly see then that afflictions against Gods people is from satan & his agents on earth here. So we must learn to address afflictions through speaking the appropriate words of faith to defeat the enemy.

When sickness comes and it sure must come because the earth lies in the power of the devil, Christians must know that greater is He (CHRIST) that lives in us than satan & his agents. How do we do this, by observing the most fundamental key given to us in the book of Mathew 7 and it's ..A. S. K!

A. Ask based on scriptural guidelines whether sickness is allowed in your body and what is the remedy for it?.

S. Seek what the Bible recommends for you to do. It could be prayer, confession of sins or changing your lifestyle. 

K. Knock on Gods door by reminding HIM of HIS promises for your healing. Eg, we are admonished in the book of James 5:v 14 that " is any sick among you? Let him call the Elders who should pray over him and  ANOINT him." That sins should be confessed for the sick person to be well.
Many today are sick because we have refused to obey these biblical instructions. I have received diverse healing through the anointing oil and have also seen various others healed through prayers.

Finally, the bible did point out that our bodies are Temples of the Holy Spirit. 1 Cor. 3: 6- 17. 6: v 19).

There's much to be said on why Gods people fall sick but the basic understanding we require is that no Child of God under the New Testament should see sickness and disease as coming from our Heavenly Father. Our biggest problem is ignorance that's why God admonished us in Isaiah 33:V 6 that " Wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of our times"
We must also know that "Gods grace is multiplied to us through wisdom from Scriptures. (2 Peter 1 v 2).

Once you know what the Scripture says over any issue, we defeat the enemies cheaply. 

I want to close this submission by one of my most favorite words of Christ in the book of John 10 v 35 "if GOD calls us God to whom the Word ( scripture knowledge ) has come and the Scriptures can not be Broken"
GODs word is the unbreakable breaker we require to overcome every affliction on earth. Shalom!

October 16 2013 0 responses Vote Up Share Report


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