IMPERFECTION AND TRAGEDY IN GOD’S WORLD



There is no doubt that we live in a world full of suffering, pain, and sorrow. The reaction of many who suffer real tragedy is a soul that cries out, “Why”. Why does God permit imperfection and tragedy in His world? Why are babies allowed to be born handicapped and mentally deficient? Why do children contract such diseases as Leukemia? Why does God allow people to be afflicted with Multiple Sclerosis? Why do legs and arms not move, why do eyes not see, why do mouths not speak, and ears not hear? Why does God allow children to be born with Cerebral-Palsy, Down’s syndrome, and Spina Bifida? Why does God allow individuals to suffer due to the forces of nature in such tragedies as tornados, floods, hurricanes, blizzards, earthquakes and tsunamis? Both skeptics and Christians alike, struggle with the answers to such questions.

"Where is the perfection of God in view of a world filled with such imperfections?" While men may not be able to supply all the answers to such questions, the Bible does give us some insights that can help us when such tragedies do occur in our lives.

First, we should realize that some suffering is inherent in the universe. There are fundamental, natural laws that God placed into action that govern the universe, therefore storm and other natural events are eminent. If we place ourselves in a place where such occur, we will face the wrath of nature. Jesus said, “The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth….” (John 3:8 KJV).

Second, some suffering occurs as a result of the choices and actions of others. There are some individuals who misuse their liberty and freedoms without regard to others. This, at times, puts the innocent in a dangerous position. We all have heard of, studied, and in some cases, known such men. Men like, Adolf Hitler, whose reign of terror cost millions to suffer and millions more to die. Men like Jeffery Dahmer, who sexually assaulted and killed several innocent people also cannibalizing their bodies. Because God gave humanity free will, there is the possibility that some individuals will misuse this freedom and bring tragedy on others.

Third, some suffering comes from causes we simply do not understand. The sickness of a child or some morally good person or some great lifelong Christian is often hard to understand. It is here that the critic wants to put the blame on God. However, we know through science that some diseases are a result of human activity. Some children are born with physical or mental deficiencies that are related to the lifestyle of the parents. There are other times there seem to be no answer as to why someone must suffer. So, many blame God without regard to His deity. Job helps us to see that God is not the blame and is to be revered and held in awe. When his wife told Job to “curse God and Die”, Job did not agree. He said, “Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh”. When the friends of Job stated that his suffering was a punishment from God, Job did not agree. One friend of Job, Eliphaz said, “Remember, I pray thee, who ever perished, being innocent?” His friends believed he had committed some great sin and wanted Job to admit to his sin and therefore alleviate the punishment they believed God was sending upon him. Job did not agree. We learn in the Bible that there are times when we sin, we can suffer for it (1Cor. 11:30). However, all suffering is not a result of sin; this we learn from the story of the blind man in John 9. In the previous, Jesus said the man’s condition was not a result of any sin of the man or his parents.

Some believe that God trying to send us a message with suffering. I remember the calls of many in America when the terrible storms hit the New Orleans area and beyond. Many said God was trying to warn them of their sinfulness. Such is not necessarily true. We know that in the case of Job it was not true. However, in the case of Paul, God used an affliction (thorn in the flesh) to humble the Apostle Paul (2Cor. 12:7-9).

Then there are sufferings that are self-inflicted. When mankind violates the spiritual or physical laws of God he will suffer the consequences. Human beings have free moral choice, we can choose evil or we can choose good. When we make bad choices we and perhaps others will suffer. If a person disregards the laws of gravity and jumps from a tall skyscraper without a parachute, he will suffer the consequences.

Perhaps we should consider suffering and imperfection from God’s view. God does not seek people who have bodies that are always perfect or that have never been injured. God does not look to the outside, but as he did in the case of King David, God looks to the inside of man. We should always consider and respond to our own imperfections and sufferings in a proper way. As well, we should not look at the imperfections others from a human standpoint.

To submit a question or for information or study, contact: Tony @ (423-737-2287); e-mail CenterviewCOC@

Tony Hoss, preacher for the Centerview Church of Christ

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