“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.”
I had to ask myself, how can my heart not be troubled as evil is happening all around us? From the natural disasters to mass shootings, why are these things happening? Where is God when tragedy like this is happening? This lead me to research that very question and this is what I learned.
Being a Christian believer doesn’t mean you’re exempt from all the evil in this world. But you can be assured, as a believer in Christ that you are not alone.
Tragedy shows our need for one another. Catastrophe and hardships are opportunities to share each other’s burdens. We cannot go through this life alone. God promises never to abandon us. He cares so much that He wants to surround us with people who can share our struggles and encourage us along the way.
When we believe in God and put our trust in Jesus, we know that God is protecting us. Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.
In every book of the Bible, we read of some type of trial or tribulation. Rest assured that God is right there at the center of it all. Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
No matter if it’s a natural disaster like a lightning strike that causes a forest fire or a tragedy caused by man. The general tendency, of course, is to blame God for evil and suffering, transferring all responsibility to Him. So let’s look closer at the core question: If God is so good and loving, why does He allow evil?
The first part of this question is based on a false premise. People who express those words are essentially suggesting (or saying outright) that God must meet their own criteria of goodness. But who are they to set standards for God? When did they become the moral center of the universe?
God isn’t good just because that’s my opinion of Him, or because I personally agree with His words or actions. God is good because He says He is! Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.” Luke 18:19 NKJV. There’s no higher standard of goodness than God’s own character—and His approval of whatever’s consistent with that character. So God is good.
Now let’s come back to the second part of the question. Why does He allow evil?
Remember that mankind was not created evil. In their original state, Adam and Eve were innocent, ageless, and immortal. But from the very beginning—from the time that God gave life to Adam and Eve, man has had the ability to choose right or wrong. He made his choice (and then his choice made him!). This is what is called “Free Will.” The general tendency, of course, is to blame God for evil and suffering, transferring all responsibility to Him. God didn’t chose evil, man is the one that chooses evil.
If you are sharing the gospel, it won’t be long before someone asks, “How could a God of love allow tragedy, pain, and suffering?” C.S. Lewis said that the “problem of pain is atheism’s most potent weapon against the Christian faith.” More people point to the problem of evil and suffering as their reason for not believing in God than any other. It is not merely a problem; it is the problem.
‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
Matthew 19:19 NKJV. Jesus himself called it the “highest command”. In the Bible this phrase means to simply love your human neighbours.
Keep your Faith in the one Who created you. That’s how you keep your heart from being troubled.
Don’t Be Troubled
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Posted: June 2, 2022 by The Ark
May 28, 2022 – Ron Green
John 14:1 NKJV
“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.”
I had to ask myself, how can my heart not be troubled as evil is happening all around us? From the natural disasters to mass shootings, why are these things happening? Where is God when tragedy like this is happening? This lead me to research that very question and this is what I learned.
Being a Christian believer doesn’t mean you’re exempt from all the evil in this world. But you can be assured, as a believer in Christ that you are not alone.
Tragedy shows our need for one another. Catastrophe and hardships are opportunities to share each other’s burdens. We cannot go through this life alone. God promises never to abandon us. He cares so much that He wants to surround us with people who can share our struggles and encourage us along the way.
When we believe in God and put our trust in Jesus, we know that God is protecting us. Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.
Deuteronomy 31:6 NKJV
In every book of the Bible, we read of some type of trial or tribulation. Rest assured that God is right there at the center of it all. Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10 NKJV
No matter if it’s a natural disaster like a lightning strike that causes a forest fire or a tragedy caused by man. The general tendency, of course, is to blame God for evil and suffering, transferring all responsibility to Him. So let’s look closer at the core question: If God is so good and loving, why does He allow evil?
The first part of this question is based on a false premise. People who express those words are essentially suggesting (or saying outright) that God must meet their own criteria of goodness. But who are they to set standards for God? When did they become the moral center of the universe?
God isn’t good just because that’s my opinion of Him, or because I personally agree with His words or actions. God is good because He says He is! Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.” Luke 18:19 NKJV. There’s no higher standard of goodness than God’s own character—and His approval of whatever’s consistent with that character. So God is good.
Now let’s come back to the second part of the question. Why does He allow evil?
Remember that mankind was not created evil. In their original state, Adam and Eve were innocent, ageless, and immortal. But from the very beginning—from the time that God gave life to Adam and Eve, man has had the ability to choose right or wrong. He made his choice (and then his choice made him!). This is what is called “Free Will.” The general tendency, of course, is to blame God for evil and suffering, transferring all responsibility to Him. God didn’t chose evil, man is the one that chooses evil.
If you are sharing the gospel, it won’t be long before someone asks, “How could a God of love allow tragedy, pain, and suffering?” C.S. Lewis said that the “problem of pain is atheism’s most potent weapon against the Christian faith.” More people point to the problem of evil and suffering as their reason for not believing in God than any other. It is not merely a problem; it is the problem.
‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
Matthew 19:19 NKJV. Jesus himself called it the “highest command”. In the Bible this phrase means to simply love your human neighbours.
Keep your Faith in the one Who created you. That’s how you keep your heart from being troubled.
—- Chaplain Ron
Category: Ark Inspirational Corner Tags: don't be troubled, Ron don't be troubled, Ron green, ron green inspirational corner, ron inspirational corner