By Rev. Gian Carlo Villatoro
Founding Pastor, Victory Church Odessa
Gian, tell me: Why do I suffer? Charles S.
Dear Charles: Quite often many people feel that life is unfair, because of their struggle with many problems, on the personal level, as well as familiar, work related, and as a community. Everyone wants solutions, and when they can’t find them, the natural reaction is to find someone to blame for.
Bitterness, resentment and hate are very common feelings among those who have not learned how to deal with the reality of life. Like Forrest Gump’s mom said, “Life is like a box a chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get!” It is a fact that there is no perfect life, everyone goes through difficulties. Some are worse than others, but everybody faces problems.
Our Lord Jesus said, “In this world you will have troubles. But be brave! I have defeated the world.” (John 16.33). He also said, “So don’t worry about tomorrow.
Each day has enough trouble of its own. Tomorrow will have its own worries.” (Matthew 6.34).
The correct question is not “Why?”, but simply because this is an imperfect world, and until the restoration of all things (Revelation Chapter 21), disaster, calamity, horrible crime, illnesses, deterioration of our bodies, mental and emotional problems, political corruption, etc., all that and many other bad things, are part of life. The promise that we have in The Bible is that “THERE IS HOPE” for our future.
In Jeremiah 29.11, the Lord says, “I have good plans for you. I don’t plan to hurt you. I plan to give you hope and a good future.”, which means that God, our Lord Almighty God, has full control of what’s going on, and what will happen in the future, earthly speaking, as well as Eternally.
Why do you suffer? Only the Lord has a specific answer. But again, the correct question is not “Why?” The correct question is, “Have you learned to depend on God, accepting His will, no matter what, surrendering to His authority, and still loving Him, adoring Him, worshiping Him, no matter what … have you?”
Feel free to email your question to [email protected] or call 432.614.9798 if you prefer.
