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The Problem of Evil and Suffering
Suffering is a fact of life. None of us are immune to it. We don’t always choose our suffering and circumstances in our lives which are beyond our control. But we do choose our response. When we lean into the grace and goodness of God, it will impact our response. (Note: There are times when our suffering is the result/consequences of our sin. But God can redeem and does not leave us. He is faithful and just to forgive when we confess and turn to Him.)
This week we will look at the root of all struggle with suffering. We’ll examine three keys to a biblical perspective on suffering and then look at some of things we bring to our suffering that can deepen our pain and make suffering even more difficult. Finally, we will look at what suffering exposes in our lives.
Ultimately, the problem of evil and suffering asks, “Is God good?” and “Is God sovereign or omnipotent?” This is known as theodicy. Theodicy comes from the Greek, “theos’ (God) and “ieke” (justice). It is the attempt to justify the ways of God to humanity, to think about what a good God does with evil and suffering. Theodicy deals with the meaning of pain in terms of sin, evil, human choice, the will of God, and God’s response.
In the teaching video, we will discuss the biblical perspective on suffering, some of the traps we can fall into, and how suffering goes beyond our circumstances.
In this week’s homework, you will study a passage from the gospel where Jesus speaks to the suffering we will face and how we can lean into His presence in our suffering. If you’d like to do the homework portion of this series, you can purchase the Study Guide on Amazon.
May the Lord transform you through the renewing of your mind in His glorious Word as you come to know Him in deeper ways, even in suffering and hardship. Cling fast to unchanging, all-powerful, steadfast love and faithfulness of the Lord!
Rejoicing in Christ Jesus,
©2024, Susan Cady
