Abelardo N. Navarro
Evil and suffering is not a disproof of God, but a constant reminder of our need for the perfect God of the Bible (2 Corinthians 1:8-9).
God did not create a perfect world. The more perfect exists alongside the imperfect. Nature has both constructive and destructive forces. Physical good will always be mixed with physical evil until creation reaches perfection. God created the world in a state of journeying so that we could be his co-creators in perfecting our world.
Suffering is a call to love one another. It is also our ticket to heaven. Much of the evil and suffering in our world is due to our failure to heed the commandment to love one another. Our love not only heals and nourishes those who suffer but also redeems us. Suffering then is a necessary part of life because without it we would be like spoiled children not truly loving God out of our own free will.
“We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” – Romans 5, 3-4
That is why God does not seem to interfere in our lives. He has a plan to get us to heaven and he does not want to make changes in that plan unless something goes wrong. But we certainly can (and should) pray that this plan includes the special favors that we ask of Him. His plan takes into account all of the free-will choices that we make, including how much we pray and how diligently we try to follow His commands. By all means talk to God all the time about a happier life here on earth.
The late President Corazon C. Aquino was a good model of this type of faith. She often said, “Gawain mo lahat ang makakaya mo at kung kulang iyon hayaan mo na ang Dios na magpuno noon.” (Do your best and let God take care of the rest.)
For more information about this subject, please go to this link and read paragraph 272 and following.
http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt1sect2chpt1art1p3.shtml
My personal reflection:
ReplyDeleteGod created everything according to His purpose. What we see as constructive or destructive is but a subjective view of things in so far as they affect our personal well being. He does not cause us to suffer albeit He allows suffering to exist for a multitude of reasons.
Suffering is not a test that we have to pass in order to get to heaven. God has already paid the price of this ticket through the death of Jesus. For those who have not yet believed, whether they are spectators to suffering, or the ones who are suffering, could it be an invitation to receiving God's grace?
For those who have accepted God's grace, suffering is neither a test to prove to God how much we love Him. He already knows what is in our heart. What then? Is it perhaps for our own benefit that WE may come to realize how much we love Him?
Thanks Jerry for your comments. There is really no disagreement between your views and mine.
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