Believing in a God Who Allows Evil

It may sound foolish to believe in a God who allows evil, tragedy,
suffering, and disasters. But God never promised to rid the world
of these things. He promised us hope: “and hope does not disappoint
us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the
Holy Spirit who has been given to us” (Romans 5:5). At some point
we are going to experience heartbreak, loss, and suffering. Anyone
who thought having faith in God would take away those things in
life had the wrong idea of who God is. Fr. Mike says he has never
been disappointed in God, because he knows what promises God did
make. God is faithful. He will never break his promises, but he
never promised that you would not experience grief. He did promise
that in the midst of the pain he will be there. In being there, he
will help you to love the giver of peace more than the gift of
peace. Discipleship is a daily cross. God promised trouble, not
peace. He encouraged us to take heart in the midst of that trouble,
and that’s how we grow stronger and holier. There will be floods
and fire and sickness and tragedy. Turn to the one who promised he
will be there with you through it all to help carry you through it.
When we feel we have been let down by God the most, those are the
times when trust in him means the most.