Colin Wong Supporter Founder, eBible.com

This is a very difficult topic indeed. The underlying theme is, "how can a good God allow the suffering of children?" 

Ten years ago, my eldest daughter was born with a genetic defect that severely impacted her cognitive abilities. To this day, her mind is perhaps at the maturity of a two year old. Kaitlyn was born with Holoprosencephaly, an extremely rare medical condition that joined her left and right brain at the wrong place. 

When my wife and I first learned about this, it completely broke our hearts. We could not comprehend why this happened to us. We were not saints, but we never cheated, stolen or killed anyone. We were "good" people. But far more than that, why would God punish our daughter? She had absolutely nothing to do with our sins. She was punished by virtue of association - she was our daughter. Nothing more.

We sank into despair and I renounced God. There is no God. If there was such a God that allowed evil and suffering, I wanted no part of Him. That was ten years ago.

To cut the story short, since then, God has slowly worked His way into our lives. Bit by bit, our hearts were won over, and we witnessed an amazing restoration in love, peace, joy, acceptance, renewal and completion. God is so good.

This topic is likely better served outside of a short eBible answer, for a webpage does not do justice to capturing God's intention and love for your friend. But I shall attempt to provide what little insight I have in my personal journey and restoration.

First, recognize that we truly live in a fallen world. This means bad things can happen to good people, and good things can happen to bad people. When we (humankind) broke away from God and went our separate way, we choose a path without God. And where God isn't, suffering and evil prevails.

Second, recognize that all pain and suffering is not in vain. It is not pointless. Just because we cannot understand why something bad is allowed to happen does not mean there is not a good reason. The story of Joseph in Genesis greatly underscore this. Joseph was hated by his brothers by virtue of his mother, Rachel. His step-brothers were from Leah, Jacob's first wife. They imprisoned him in a pit, and sold him to slavery. After years of bondage and misery, Joseph was molded by God to become the "Prime Minister" of Egypt. In the end, he saved his family and his people from starvation and fulfilled God's promise to Abraham for the creation of the Israel nation.

My wife and I didn't know God. While I was "born" into a Christian family I never truly "knew" Him. When we committed our lives to Him a few years ago, our entire family of five got saved. Had God not allowed Kaitlyn to "happen", eBible would not have been created (I am one of its founders) and you and I would not be having this "discussion" today. But now I count myself blessed that my three kids, my wife and I will all be together for eternity. Our entire family is now saved, as Joseph had saved his family.

In 2 Corinthians 12, the Apostle Paul speaks of a "thorn" in his flesh. Three times he begged God to remove it. Three times the Lord denied him. God's answer:

2 Corinthians 12:9
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

I did not understand it then. I thought Kaitlyn's suffering was pointless. But today I understand that God's grace was with me the whole time. Grace means "unmerited favor". God did me a favor by allowing Kaitlyn to suffer. In other words, some day, when I'm in heaven, and I talk to God, I will look back and completely agree with Him that what happened to Kaitlyn was the best possible thing to happen to us, that the result was so glorious, so restorative, so rewarding that it is worth far more than any suffering, sacrifice or pain we had to endure.

Let me end with this. Is suffering one of many tools that God uses for His glory? It would be hypocritical if God didn't allow it to happen to Himself. He did.

Jesus Christ, Son of God, came down on earth, and suffered humiliation, torture, anguish, pain, suffering, and DIED for us. He went to hell and was risen on the 3rd day, for all of us. 

God would never do to us what He would not do to Himself. Tell your friend to believe that God has a greater purpose for Him. That out of the ashes of pain and destruction, will come restoration, glory, love and abundance. Jesus was with him, is with him, and will always be with him. His suffering is not pointless. There is justice. There is victory. But only if we choose to let God carry us through.

September 24 2013 • 11 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Priscilla Quarles Supporter

It is the people of God responsiblity to preach the gospel to the poor and heal the sick. Now in the word of God he says my people are destoryed because of a lack of knowledge. So why are people who are with out God being destroyed, Thats just the problem they are without God. It is mention throughout the bible in several stories that were told over and over again how people were being warned there is no life without God.

 If you do serve God and you are challenge in this areas. Read your rights in God 's word and Believe and have Faith.
 by acting on what you believe. There is no weapon formed against us shall prosper and there is no test,trial or temptations can overtake us.God has left his people in charge. He has given to us all power,riches glory and blessing and wisdom. Christian just sit around waiting for God when he said on the 7th day I have finish all my work Genesis 2:1,2 and when Jesus took his last breath he said it is finish Jonn 19:30.God told Jesus to sit down on his right hand.

 Christian are suppose to let their light shine Matthew 5:16. We let our light shine in this earth when you are bearing fruits like Jesus.When a child comes into this world with a birth defect, we know this child was born to gloryfiy God John 9:3.By the laying of hands we heal the child by the authority of Jesus Christ's death, blood and resurrection which he have given us through his name.By letting our light shine and we bring a multitude of people to God. Just like Jesus did when he was here on earth..God made all provisions so that we can live life more abundantly.John 10:10 The Questions is why do Christians let people suffer. We as Christian are dropping the ball.

October 25 2013 • 6 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Marni McDougall Supporter

I have asked myself this same question. Harm to small children is impossible for me to understand and very difficult to forgive. God is love and clearly the Bible points out Christ’s love for children and widows. The abuse happening does not mean God approves of it. 

I look at it this way: We live in a broken world … we have free will … we also have biblical teachings that if ALL people followed, abuse of small children wouldn’t happen. People have chosen evil over good. They have ignored the teachings from God. 

Give your pain to Jesus. Cry out. He understands the pain. Do not be overcome by the same evils that your abuser was overcome by. Leave the judgment to God regarding your abuser. Either your abuser will continue to sin and not repent—and face eternal consequences—OR they will feel remorse and seek God’s forgiveness. Do not let this abuser control your happiness. Give it to God.

January 03 2023 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report