This is Part 6 of 6 parts answering the question, “How long does God allow suffering to continue?” in the larger question, “Why does a loving God allow suffering?”

God Determines the Length of Time

As Job suffered under the enemy’s assault and the indifferent misunderstanding of his friends, he wished that he had not been born (Job 3:12). By the end of this book, we are reminded that God is sovereign over all the details of life (Job 38-41). Instead of questioning God, we need to put our hand over our mouth and stop the doubting complaints against His sovereignty.   The only godly response is what Job confessed to the righteous Lord, Continue reading →

This is Part 5 of 6 parts answering the question, “How long does God allow suffering to continue?” in the larger question, “Why does a loving God allow suffering?” Part 6 will be posted tomorrow.

Unbelievers Face the Judgment of Darkness Forever

As a boy, my parents once took me on a tour of Alcatraz. I remember walking through the solitary confinement portion of the prison and into one of the cells, which was behind two doors. When the second door was shut, it was pitch black inside. The tour guide said that most people could not handle this darkness very long. This reminds me of the horrible punishment the unbeliever will experience in the future. Peter said that darkness was Continue reading →

This is Part 4 of 6 parts answering the question, “How long does God allow suffering to continue?” in the larger question, “Why does a loving God allow suffering?” Parts 5-6 will be posted on succeeding days.

The Unbeliever Will Suffer in Everlasting Fire

There are many passages that record the horrible suffering that awaits those who reject God’s plan of salvation in Jesus Christ. Luke recorded in his gospel the account Jesus told of the rich man who had been blessed on earth, but was in torments seeking to have merely a drop of water to cool his tongue, “Then he cried and said, `Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.‘” (Luke 16:24 NKJ) Continue reading →

This is Part 3 of 6 parts answering the question, “How long does God allow suffering to continue?” in the larger question, “Why does a loving God allow suffering?” Parts 4-6 will be posted on succeeding days.

Suffering in Time for the Believer Will Seem Light

No suffering is pleasant. The duration of suffering is always too long and too painful! However, there are at least two truths that we should remember regarding all suffering in light of eternity. First, the Divine discipline previously discussed is designed by the love of God for our good, but it is still painful. The writer to the Hebrews wrote, “Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” (Heb 12:11 NKJ) Continue reading →

This is Part 2 of 6 parts answering the question, “How long does God allow suffering to continue?” in the larger question, “Why does a loving God allow suffering?” Parts 3-6 will be posted on succeeding days.

Christians are Warned to Stop Sinning to Avoid Suffering

Each person who put their faith in Jesus Christ receives Him, and the evidence will be seen in a life that is transforming! This process continues until God takes him home to be in heaven. If there is no fruit, then there is a question of whether he actually placed his faith in Jesus Christ as his personal Savior or just intellectually understood the facts of salvation. Continue reading →

This is Part 1 of 6 parts answering the question, “How long does God allow suffering to continue?” in the larger question, “Why does a loving God allow suffering?” Parts 2-6 will be posted on succeeding days.

The most difficult kind of suffering is that which lasts for an extended time. It’s not hard to endure a needle shot in the arm or detention after school, because the suffering only lasts a short time. But when the symptoms of cancer linger until a painful death or the mental and emotional suffering from the loss of a child lasts for one’s life, the agony can become almost unbearable. Continue reading →