Resources by Topic: Suffering and Evil

People choose Hell when they turn their backs on God. He gave us the gift of choice, to choose to know and love Him. To Him, that was worth creating us, and even sending His Son to die for us so that we could eternally know Him and be with Him forever. That is the very opposite of selfish.

Randy was on a panel speaking about suffering and walking through the difficult things in life. He answers several questions and shares his experiences and truths from Scripture 

In this audio clip, Randy Alcorn explains why how we think about God’s goodness and love is so important when we face times of suffering and crisis.  

It seems a comfort to know that your friend didn’t appear afraid. I’m sure that was a gift to both of you that you were able to pray with her and remember that Jesus is more powerful than anything or anyone else in the universe.

There are varying responses to questions about suffering, and the good ones all require trust that a good, loving, holy, and just God knows what He’s doing.

Here is another gem from Nanci’s journal she kept during her cancer years. She wrote this while anticipating some bad news about her health, and about our dog, Maggie.

How we think about suffering will radically affect how we see God and the world around us. If you believe God should always bless you and your loved ones with material abundance and good health, you are setting yourself up to lose your faith. 

In this clip from his conversation with Davey Blackburn from Nothing Is Wasted Ministries, Randy answers the question, “Why is a proper view of suffering imperative?”    

I have the greatest appreciation and respect for Joni Eareckson Tada. In this touching article, Joni writes, “Resilient joy makes hope come alive, so much so that we can be ‘sorrowful, yet always rejoicing’ (2 Corinthians 6:10).” This sister is pure gold.

Recently I read “9 Lessons from God Concerning Sickness” from J. C. Ryle, an Anglican bishop (1816–1900). Every lesson he shares applies to how Nanci lived out her last years before relocating to Heaven. 

In this clip from his interview on the Revive Our Hearts podcast, Randy talks about how Nanci focused on the goodness of God during her cancer journey and trusted in His sovereignty.  

No Bible verse says God kills our loved ones prematurely so we will be happier, and that’s not Randy’s point in his post, either. Scripture does tell us that God is the author of life; He has exclusive prerogatives over it.

If we are to face suffering well, if we are not to waste our suffering, we must let it take us to God’s Word. If we don’t, our loss will be incalculable. If we do, our gain will be abundant and eternal.

Having lost a beloved dog to disease, I can empathize with the pain you are feeling over the impending death of your furry friend. Death is not a normal part of our life, at least not the life God wanted for us. I suppose that’s why it hurts so much.