Why Does God Allow So Much Suffering In His People?

[MA2444]

Why does God allow so much suffering among His people?

The short answer is, because it builds character. I was reading in Romans and I accidently saw it, lol!

Romans 5:
2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.

3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.
5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.../NLT

The KJV uses tribulations instead of problems and trials, so therein lies all of our suffering in all ways.

†θλῖψις thlîpsis, thlip'-sis; from G2346; pressure (literally or figuratively):—afflicted(-tion), anguish, burdened, persecution, tribulation, trouble..../BLB (Blue letterbible.org)

So your afflictions and sickness, your anguish, your burdens, persecutions, tribulations and troubles come into your life and cause suffering.

We can rejoice in our sufferings (v3) and what we can do is to rejoice in them, that is, say, have you ever jumped in joy? It may have been awhile, I understand! But you remember. But it doesnt say jump in joy, it says re-joice (re-joys!) So I suppose that is jumping in joy repeatedly?! (Look at that idiot skipping down the road right after his car broke down!) Can you see that?!! I can. And a zillion times in scripture it says, be not afraid, do not fear...

So try this this the next time you are confronted with yet another tribulation...Say praise the Lord! I may not understand what you are doing right now Lord, but I trust you and have faith in you...and see what happens.

 

[Bob]

Thank you for your post.

Although this is great message for each of us, we are also called to be compassionate toward others in their suffering. Will you Visit someone in the hospital and tell them their suffering is going to build their character?

To the unbeliever who challenges you, the build-character message by itself is going to be dismissed when he spouts, “If (your) God is so benevolent, why does He allow suffering?”

You have an excellent start, but might want more reflection, study, and prayer before taking a message public.

Blessings.

 

[MA2444]

I have a good testimony about this exact situation that happened to me.

It was back when they were giving out all the Stimulas checks to help people during the covid lockdown. Now I am a poor retired man and cant afford many things. So when I knew the stimulas checks were coming, my plan was to speand it all an things that I wanted but could never afford with a measly SS budget. My normal check covers my overhead. It was a solid plan and some of the things I wanted were prepatory type items so I planned to run out and specd the stimulas money as fast as I could before anything else could rear it's head to take the money. And the check came and I headed out early and came home late, broke!

I did it. I actually got to buy myself some things. So after bringing my stuff in, something took me to the basement, I think I was going to check the salt level in the softener? And I walked into the room in my stocking feet and walked into warm water all throughout the carpet. Uh-Oh, I know what that means, the HWH is leaking at the tank and will need replaced. I couldnt hear it leaking but feeling the sides of the water heater I was able to find a hot spot so I knew I had found the leak. I shut off the water and instinctively looked at the date code within the serial number and saw that it was 5 1/2 years old. We all know what that means, right? It's just out of warranty of course. And then I thought, crap, I had the money this morning to buy a new WH (around 4-5oo bucks is what they cost) and I felt that immediate disappointment in myself. Oh No! Now I'm going to have to wait a full month to be able to even think about buying a new water heater. I had just just caught up the laundry so that was a blessing!

And then I thought, waitaminute, why didnt God warn me to save some money? I can install it myself because that was my trade. But I need a new WH! I was at a place with the Lord, perhaps as close as Ive ever been to Him? and He didnt warn me! I found myself getting irratated with the Lord! And then my (spiritual) senses caught up with me and I thought, no...this is something else. God must be doing something? SO I started laughing and all of the disappointment and irritation left me and I said, Lord, I dont know what you are doing but I trust you so I will walk through this and praise you no matter what happens...

So the next day I called the plumbing supply house to check price and availablity for the exact unit that I was replacing so that it would be a slip fit and take minimal materials and piping to replace it and tie it back in with the water & gas lines. So I gave him the model & serial number and he put me on hold to check. I wanted to know how much I would be looking at next month. He comes back to the phone and tells me yes we have that exact model in stock...and it's under warranty so there will be no cost, just bring us the sticker off of it...

So I loaded it up and went and installed it. And one of the weirdest things about the whole situation was that...I already knew very well that Rheem wather heaters come with a 6 year warranty and not 5 years! That's my trade! I was Rheem water heater installer for many years and that is a big selling point, it has a 6 yr warranty! WHy did I forget that?

I think the Lord made me forget it for this test of my faith in Him, because it was neccessary. Otherwise I'd be thanking Rheem for it being just in warranty and not out, lol!

It was the moment I was standing in the basement feeling disappointed in myself for speanding the money and irratated with God for not warning me, that was the moment of confrontation with this particular tribulation when those thoughts came and challenged me to doubt God. It was such a small test, I should have passed it. I did pass it! I looked to the Lord and said I trust you...and so I didnt have to buy one single item to replace it. It only took 3 copper couplings to tie it back in! I had all that stuff at home and the torches and so, the Lord blessed me with a free water heater at just the right time to make it good for me.

Praise the Lord!

 

[Ritajanice]

Without suffering imo, we would never grow in Christ.,,​

Short commentary.

In fact, Jesus predicted that all who follow Him will suffer: “In the world you will have tribulation.”But He also urges us to “take heart” since He has already “overcome the world” (John 16:33). First Peter 2:21, above, makes it clear that suffering is part of our calling as Christ followers.

​

Romans 5​

​

King James Version​

​

​

5 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.
15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.
17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

[MA2444]

Thank you for your post.

Although this is great message for each of us, we are also called to be compassionate toward others in their suffering. Will you Visit someone in the hospital and tell them their suffering is going to build their character?

To the unbeliever who challenges you, the build-character message by itself is going to be dismissed when he spouts, “If (your) God is so benevolent, why does He allow suffering?”

You have an excellent start, but might want more reflection, study, and prayer before taking a message public.

Blessings.

Well, this is a message of hope. Building strength of Character strengthens our confident hope of salvation and builds our endurance. I dont think I should water down the message because many may not understand. These things need to be said. To some it will encourage their Belief and hope.

Would I tell David, who was about to take the field with Goliath, hey Dave, it builds character? Probably not, but that doesnt mean that it isnt true! And David knew that so he took the field anyway, and won.

All I got was a mere water heater for my faith, but that tribulation was over. Look what David got! He got Goliaths sword! They found Goliaths sword somewhere and I seen a reproduction of it. It's huge!

Now David was a little more advaced than I am spiritually so his task was greater. But the principle is the same. No wonder it says all throughout scripture, dont be afraid, do not fear, valley of Death or anywhere.

Did I fear not having a shower for a month? Yep. Breifly. Did David fear Goliath? Apparently not because he went out there and yet, he may have still had a misgiving or two, I mean look how big that guy is! And that huge sword he's swinging around, geez!

Having those types of thoughts is guarenteed but we are instructed to take those bad thoughts captive to Christ and reject them as lies. No Sir, I wouldnt go to the hospital and say hey bro you should rejoice...it sounds sort of tacky. I agree.

But what of the person who reads this and chews on it for a week, and I accidently said something in just the right way about it that it touched his heart and encouraged him...then he gets in a car wreck and wakes up in the hospital...and remembers what he heard so he begins looking to the Lord and praying instead of the doctors and then the doctor walks in and says wow are you lucky you got threw through the windshield and flew 40 feet, I was sure that something would be broken but you seem ok...?

That could happen too. Truth should be spoken brother. Growth is the key. I aint nobody and my tribulation that I spoke of was only a water heater, but I am not as advanced in my Beleif as some others are, but I have had faith in God and handed situations over to Him many times in albeit small ways, only once was life or death. But I have seen enough to know that, this is real. God is very real. And He is a gret guy when we trust Him!

Am I wrong? No, I'm not. So I like to push the edge of the envelope in trusting the Lord and having faith in bigger ways than previously, which stimulates spiritual growth, Character, Endurance...It real so it cant be watered down.

 

[MA2444]

Without suffering imo, we would never grow in Christ.,,​

Short commentary.

In fact, Jesus predicted that all who follow Him will suffer: “In the world you will have tribulation.”But He also urges us to “take heart” since He has already “overcome the world” (John 16:33). First Peter 2:21, above, makes it clear that suffering is part of our calling as Christ followers.

​

Romans 5​

​

King James Version​

​

​

5 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.
15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.
17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

Bingo Sister! As you was posting about Growth, I was writing about it already!

 

[MA2444]

3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

I like the way that version puts that. Experience. I have a teeny bit of experience which is why I speak of these things. Everyone needs to grow!

Most the time I feel like I am only ankle deep at best. It might have felt for a moment that it was waist deep, but that's because I had been staying out of the water before and merely walking on the damp sand!

Does that make sense? It should, lol. Our God is such a good Good, and we hardly even know Him if at all! It gets deep fast I heard.

It's just like climbing the Mountain of God, it will get very steep very fast. And still, I get the feeling that I'm only scratching the surface so far. Ankle deep at best, because God is that deep.

 

[Behold]

So your afflictions and sickness, your anguish, your burdens, persecutions, tribulations and troubles come into your life and cause suffering.

Reader.,

Its true that having to deal with situations that are hard to deal with, can create you to be a better person, and a better Christian.

Its also true that God does not make anyone sick.
If you believe that He does...then read these verses......>>>Jesus said.. "if youve seen me, you've SEEN the Father".. and "i (he) can only do what i see the father do"...

Now, Reader, read the NT 500 times., and if you ever read where Jesus give anyone Cancer, or any sickness, then come back and teach that God causes people to get SICK and suffer and perhaps die.

So, why do some people say that "God made me sick"..

That is CALVINISM and HYPER Calvinism that teach that Lie.

It can be that sickness came because the air and the water is toxic, and the pesticides in the food, and the unnatural products found in food, that preserve it, or flavor it, made you SICK.
Maybe your neighbor gave you Covid, and God didnt give it to you.

The DEVIL will make you sick with Cancer....., and Calvinism, will have you thinking that God caused it to make you a better person by causing you to suffer..
And that will get you killed..... Calvinism and Hyper-Calvinism, will get you killed., as you wont be able to ask God to Heal you, if Calvinism and Hyper Calvinism, have you falsely believing that God mad you sick.

 

[marks]

Why does God allow so much suffering among His people?

The short answer is, because it builds character. I was reading in Romans and I accidently saw it, lol!

Romans 5:
2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.

3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.
5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.../NLT

The KJV uses tribulations instead of problems and trials, so therein lies all of our suffering in all ways.

†θλῖψις thlîpsis, thlip'-sis; from G2346; pressure (literally or figuratively):—afflicted(-tion), anguish, burdened, persecution, tribulation, trouble..../BLB (Blue letterbible.org)

So your afflictions and sickness, your anguish, your burdens, persecutions, tribulations and troubles come into your life and cause suffering.

We can rejoice in our sufferings (v3) and what we can do is to rejoice in them, that is, say, have you ever jumped in joy? It may have been awhile, I understand! But you remember. But it doesnt say jump in joy, it says re-joice (re-joys!) So I suppose that is jumping in joy repeatedly?! (Look at that idiot skipping down the road right after his car broke down!) Can you see that?!! I can. And a zillion times in scripture it says, be not afraid, do not fear...

So try this this the next time you are confronted with yet another tribulation...Say praise the Lord! I may not understand what you are doing right now Lord, but I trust you and have faith in you...and see what happens.

Amen! Thank you for the reminder!!

Acts 14:22 KJV
Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

Matthew 7:14 KJV
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Here, "narrow" is from thlibo, related to thlipsis.

James 1:2-5 KJV
2) My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
3) Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4) But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
5) If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Much love!

 

[MA2444]

Reader.,

Its true that having to deal with situations that are hard to deal with, can create you to be a better person, and a better Christian.

Its also true that God does not make anyone sick.
If you believe that He does...then read these verses......>>>Jesus said.. "if youve seen me, you've SEEN the Father".. and "i (he) can only do what i see the father do"...

Now, Reader, read the NT 500 times., and if you ever read where Jesus give anyone Cancer, or any sickness, then come back and teach that God causes people to get SICK and suffer and perhaps die.

So, why do some people say that "God made me sick"..

That is CALVINISM and HYPER Calvinism that teach that Lie.

It can be that sickness came because the air and the water is toxic, and the pesticides in the food, and the unnatural products found in food, that preserve it, or flavor it, made you SICK.
Maybe your neighbor gave you Covid, and God didnt give it to you.

The DEVIL will make you sick with Cancer....., and Calvinism, will have you thinking that God caused it to make you a better person by causing you to suffer..
And that will get you killed..... Calvinism and Hyper-Calvinism, will get you killed., as you wont be able to ask God to Heal you, if Calvinism and Hyper Calvinism, have you falsely believing that God mad you sick.

I'm no Calvinist. I never said that God causes people to be sick either. Some sickness can come from living in a corrupted world like you say, everything's toxic now and it might have been your neighbor that gave you covid, but not God.

It is written: You have not because you ask not...

The Lord has set us this universe for us to run a certain way. One where, we have free will. God will never violate our free will. So if you need cured, you dont go to the doctor first, you go to Jehovah Rapha, the Lord our healer. Then to a doctor if you want/need. But we have to put the Lord first, and we have not many things because we have not asked for them.

Even if we know that the enemy has to go petition God before he sifts us, like we see in the book of Job. Even if God allows the enemy to sift you or afflict you, it is because you are his child and he wishes to test you and allows you experience it so that you will learn and grow. He can heal you, or raise you up or whatever it takes and you will live and learn and grow, and learn patience and endurance and these things build good character and encourage ones own personal faith. If it seems unfair at all then you havent been paying attention, because the way our reward for going through these things has never entered into heart of man. We cant even comprehend how good it will be if we do suffer through these tribulations!

I asked the Lord before, why is there so much suffering and He remarked that, some things cant be taught without suffering. (I am still chewing on that one!)
I can see where facing Cancer is sort of like David and Goliath. Yes David faced Goliath and because he did, he won. But that's David and I'm not David, right? But how do you know the Lord wont make you face your own Goliath? How do I know If I will face Golith one day? David wasnt nothing then, a sheperd boy, the little brother that they didnt like so much. That sorta sounds like me, lol. Goliathe huh? Hmmm, in what form I wonder? I get the feeling I'll know him when I see him!


But yeah, you have not because you ask not, free will. You cant teach someone to love without free will so God's answer to His being able to do his work on the Earth, where is free will earth is in His children asking Him to do this or do that.

You ever notice how almost everything comes down to prayer? Just because we might not get to see the results of our prayers doesnt mean nothing happens in the spiritual realm.

 

[Behold]

I'm no Calvinist. I never said that God causes people to be sick either.

Thats true, and that is why i said "READER",. .as some of them believe that God predestines sickness.

"behold, you dont understand, .. God caused my infant to die of cancer right in front of me, in my arms"

No God didnt,...... but Calvinist, and especially Hyper-Calvinists, will try to make you believe that God killed your baby.

"they say......well, you see, its all in the sovereign will of Gawd, its all in Gawd's plan.. "

No its not.
Its in the DEVIL's Plan.. its the DEVIL's Will, and to accuse God of what the Devil Causes is what Calvinism and Hyper Calvinism does... as a Theology... a "doctrine of Devils".

I asked the Lord before, why is there so much suffering and He remarked that, some things cant be taught without suffering.

Yes, you mean some things can't be learned without suffering them.....

That's true..
and that is why we "train up a child the way they should go, and when they are older, they shall not depart from"""" (what they have had to endure, that taught them Life lessons that can keep them out of jail and so forth..

It can also be said that "" Experience is the College of Life.""

Hebrews 12:6, says that if you are a Christian, you are going to be disciplined.........so that your flesh loses control over you., mainly.

You ever notice how almost everything comes down to prayer?

Jesus would "power up" for the next long days events by going by Himself to a "alone place"..... away from the Apostles... and just join God in praise and prayer all night.

If a Christian will add Praise to their Prayers then their Prayer are exactly what God is looking for regarding a : Believer's BELIEVING Prayer.

 

[MA2444]

Thats true, and that is why i said "READER",. .as some of them believe that God predestines sickness.

"behold, you dont understand, .. God caused my infant to die of cancer right in front of me, in my arms"

No God didnt,...... but Calvinist, and especially Hyper-Calvinists, will try to make you believe that God killed your baby.

"they say......well, you see, its all in the sovereign will of Gawd, its all in Gawd's plan.. "

No its not.
Its in the DEVIL's Plan.. its the DEVIL's Will, and to accuse God of what the Devil Causes is what Calvinism and Hyper Calvinism does... as a Theology... a "doctrine of Devils".

Oh. So you did, lol! I'm sorry I remember reading that but I guess it didnt stick when it came time to write, lol.


Yes, some people dont understand yet so they may say those things. Maybe they are new christians or something and just havent read that deeply yet.

Scripture says, it is better to go to a funeral/house of mourning than it is to go to a party.

Ecclesiastes 7:2
2 Better to go to the house of mourning Than to go to the house of feasting, For that is the end of all men; And the living will take it to heart..../NKJV

That seems to say (and the living will take it to heart) or IOW, you should comfort them. (They used to use 'house of feasting' as a term for party or BBQ. Everybody expects to eat at a party. Their term for funeral or wake was house of mourning. I wonder why God wants us to learn mourning? Is it because he feels bad sometimes, when He tries to bring ne of His favorite children home...and a dozen Believers pray they will come back and live...so God does, but he was looking forward to having them sitting on His lap and no He is denied that...(Wow). ?

But Paul told us that, to die is to gain so we rejoice in death too. I believe that but dont tell people who's loved ones have died hey you should rejoice! Even if we cant see them anymore they are still dead to us all and that makes people feel bad. So we try to comforth their hearts like scripture says, and no tacky stuff at their moment of grief!

 

[marks]

Their term for funeral or wake was house of mourning. I wonder why God wants us to learn mourning?

So that we will learn to take life seriously, knowing it will have an end.

Much love!

 

[MA2444]

So that we will learn to take life seriously, knowing it will have an end.

Much love!

I'll buy that. The Lord is introducing us to death on earth before He introduces us to eternal life. So we can understand that facet of love. But if you tink about it, we who are born again will not die. We will cross over but we dont die.

We're eternal beings now, right? They say that in being an eternal being...the first 100 years are the hardest!

When they were stoning Stephen to death, and the heavens opened to him, I dont think he was in any pain any more. So it stops hurting after a point. I bet it will be the same for us when we "die".

 

[Wynona]

I call suffering the "secret sauce" of growing as a Christian.

There were a lot of lessons from Scripture that onlh stuck because of painful and uncomfortable situations my husband and I went through.

All the overwhelm, financial stress, uncertainty, and physical issues taught me that God is my unshakeable anchor at all times.

 

[MA2444]

I call suffering the "secret sauce" of growing as a Christian.

There were a lot of lessons from Scripture that onlh stuck because of painful and uncomfortable situations my husband and I went through.

All the overwhelm, financial stress, uncertainty, and physical issues taught me that God is my unshakeable anchor at all times.

I think that's a great analogy.

There's a lot of lessons in scripture that stuck on me because of tribulations which came upon me at some time also. That must be how it works and it all seems to be in retrospect because I didnt really have a spiritual guide from an early age. Oh we started going to church when I was about 7 or 8, but that's too late in life I think to accomplish the, teach a child when he is young then when he is old he will not depart from it.

The first 7 years of a baby's life he/she is programming their sub-conscious and so these first 7 years are critically important in a child's life. But if you think about it, (He knew us before we were in the womb, so a newborn baby was just with God! If I had raising my kids to do over again, I'd be asking the child at one week old questions about God, and making what declarations I know about God to the young one! Pray with the child and all that!

I think we see these things in retrospect because reading the word is always like looking into a mirror. (Hey that's me!) and so forth. Why do we learn more in retrospect than we did before? Because of the first 7 years of already pointing the child towards God? (Or not!)

 

[Heart2Soul]

Why does God allow so much suffering among His people?

The short answer is, because it builds character. I was reading in Romans and I accidently saw it, lol!

Romans 5:
2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.

3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.
5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.../NLT

The KJV uses tribulations instead of problems and trials, so therein lies all of our suffering in all ways.

†θλῖψις thlîpsis, thlip'-sis; from G2346; pressure (literally or figuratively):—afflicted(-tion), anguish, burdened, persecution, tribulation, trouble..../BLB (Blue letterbible.org)

So your afflictions and sickness, your anguish, your burdens, persecutions, tribulations and troubles come into your life and cause suffering.

We can rejoice in our sufferings (v3) and what we can do is to rejoice in them, that is, say, have you ever jumped in joy? It may have been awhile, I understand! But you remember. But it doesnt say jump in joy, it says re-joice (re-joys!) So I suppose that is jumping in joy repeatedly?! (Look at that idiot skipping down the road right after his car broke down!) Can you see that?!! I can. And a zillion times in scripture it says, be not afraid, do not fear...

So try this this the next time you are confronted with yet another tribulation...Say praise the Lord! I may not understand what you are doing right now Lord, but I trust you and have faith in you...and see what happens.

It isn't God allowing suffering, it is the curse of sin and death that came upon man because of Adam and Eve's disobedience. Before that happened, they lived in peace and perfect health. God shortened man's days to bring His plan to completion rather than allowing them to live in the corrupted flesh and suffer even longer. The reason we will go through trials and tribulations are because of sin and being born a sinner. When we are born, the sinful nature is already in us.
When you read the book of Job, Satan was before God and admitted he was looking for someone to destroy. God said have you considered my servant Job. Why would God do that? 2 reasons, Job had a hidden fear in his heart that he needed to be set free from, and Secondly all of us must go through the trial by fire for the testing of our faith. Was Job faithful to God because he trusted Him completely or because God blessed him abundantly and protected him. Out of Job's own mouth he confessed; that thing I feared the most has come upon me.
This exposed what was in Job's heart and it would remain a doorway that Satan could enter until it was removed.
Did God have to allow this? Death and Life are in the power of the tongue...they who love it (the words of their mouth) will eat the fruit thereof.....also as a man thinking so is he....out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
In the end, Job glorified God and would not listen to his wife and friends who told him to curse God and die. This pleased God to see he did not blame God but himself for acknowledging he had fear. Fear is not faith. So God blessed Job and gave him a hundred fold return on what he lost.

No matter how you slice it, God is not the perpetrator of the evil that comes upon us. It is the curse of sin and death, and how our own thoughts and actions open doors for Satan to enter.

 

[MA2444]

It isn't God allowing suffering, it is the curse of sin and death that came upon man because of Adam and Eve's disobedience. Before that happened, they lived in peace and perfect health. God shortened man's days to bring His plan to completion rather than allowing them to live in the corrupted flesh and suffer even longer. The reason we will go through trials and tribulations are because of sin and being born a sinner. When we are born, the sinful nature is already in us.
When you read the book of Job, Satan was before God and admitted he was looking for someone to destroy. God said have you considered my servant Job. Why would God do that? 2 reasons, Job had a hidden fear in his heart that he needed to be set free from, and Secondly all of us must go through the trial by fire for the testing of our faith. Was Job faithful to God because he trusted Him completely or because God blessed him abundantly and protected him. Out of Job's own mouth he confessed; that thing I feared the most has come upon me.
This exposed what was in Job's heart and it would remain a doorway that Satan could enter until it was removed.
Did God have to allow this? Death and Life are in the power of the tongue...they who love it (the words of their mouth) will eat the fruit thereof.....also as a man thinking so is he....out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
In the end, Job glorified God and would not listen to his wife and friends who told him to curse God and die. This pleased God to see he did not blame God but himself for acknowledging he had fear. Fear is not faith. So God blessed Job and gave him a hundred fold return on what he lost.

No matter how you slice it, God is not the perpetrator of the evil that comes upon us. It is the curse of sin and death, and how our own thoughts and actions open doors for Satan to enter.

I think God was bragging on Job to Satan wanted to rub it in his face that Job is righteous before God. God knew that Job would not curse God so he allowed for satan to sift Job like wheat. He didn't cause these things to happen but He allowed it for multiple reasons. Job would bring glory to God and Job would learn some very important things during the tribulations that came upon him.

Some things can't be taught without suffering. Those experiences are not pleasant to go through but they teach us a lot.

 

[MA2444]

No matter how you slice it, God is not the perpetrator of the evil that comes upon us. It is the curse of sin and death, and how our own thoughts and actions open doors for Satan to enter.

That's it in a nutshell right there.