I am sitting in bed writing this having just come out of hospital (thank you Lord for Laptops!) While I was there I had time to reflect on the suffering of other people as I listened to the reasons for the hospitalisation of the other patients in my ward. The age old question of "If there is a God why does He allow so much pain and suffering" came to mind and I felt it was worth looking at.
If the world was perfect, no pain, no war, disease, poverty, hatred, racism, crime and everything else this world suffers with, well it would be heaven, wouldn't it? But we live in a fallen world with all its accompanying problems because along with all the wonderful things that God gave us here on earth, He also gave us free will! He did not choose to have a lot of mindless puppets dancing to His will, instead we were given the choice of walking with Him through this life or turning our backs on Him. What never fails to amaze me about God is that He also allows us to change our minds.
So no, we do not live in a perfect world, we live in a world of war, pain and poverty. A world filled with sin, anger and hatred that rampages throughout the lands and destroys innocent lives. However what I have realised though is that without ugliness, how could we recognise beauty? If there was no pain and suffering, to whom could we show compassion? In times of war, heroes are born and the generous heart goes out to those pulled down by poverty. Out of adversity comes courage and strength and love conquers the heart of even the most hate-filled, angry person.
As I sit here "enjoying" my bed-rest and being over-cautious of how I move because of the surgical wound, I am grateful for the fact that I have had the opportunity for this pain. It is only by having the surgery (and resultant pain) that I am able to get well again. It is sad that is is so often only when they are in pain (physically or emotionally) that people become aware of their own mortality and weakness and reach out to God, the only one who can help them!
1 Peter 5:10 says "After you have suffered a little while, He will restore, support and strengthen you, and He will place you on a firm foundation." Whether your pain is physical or emotional trust God with it and He will see you through.
