Resources by Topic: Suffering and Evil

When the hard things come upon us, we tend to use them as a way of saying, “This is so bad, that if God really is in charge and He sent this to me—or even just allowed this to come into my life—He’s being cruel to me.” 

Randy discusses what Scripture teaches in Romans 8 about the suffering of creation as we wait for ultimate freedom from bondage, in an interview with pastor Greg Laurie at Harvest Church in Riverside, CA, November 2011.

Randy discusses what Scripture teaches about how God refines us through times of adversity from Job 42, in an interview with pastor Greg Laurie at Harvest Church in Riverside, CA, November 2011.

Randy discusses how being a student of God's Word prepares us for unexpected suffering. From an interview with pastor Greg Laurie at Harvest Church in Riverside, CA, on the topics of Heaven and suffering, November 2011.

Hope is a much stronger word in the Bible than it is for most of us today.

Where was God September 11? Where He always is.

I think of 1 Peter 5:7 where it says, “Cast your cares upon Him, because He cares for you.” God is intimately involved in our lives. 

Randy Alcorn talks about the dangers of comparing our losses to those around us. For more information, please see Randy's book If God Is Good.

In this 3 minute clip, Randy Alcorn talks about different Scripture references to use at different times. The Bible is full of comfort for those who are grieving, and there are appropriate times to use various verses.

Some of the things that have created stress are things that we’ve chosen, and we felt God’s leading to do so. Other stressful things God has brought into our lives or allowed into our lives (or whatever terminology you want to use). 

Believers often wonder about the connection between suffering and being the heirs of God, which Paul talks about in Romans 8:16-17. Randy Alcorn addresses this by pointing out that a spoiled prince turns into a tyrant king. In contrast to this, suffering in this life prepares us to rule with grace and mercy in the life to come. Randy emphasizes that though we will be made perfect (free of sin) in Heaven, we will not suddenly lose all the growth and refinement we went through on earth. Our life here prepares us for Heaven. This video clip was excerpted from Randy's Eternity 101 DVD class.

We will not know true life until we are with God. In the mean time, Randy Alcorn encourages us that the challenges of life cause us to thirst for God. This is what David expressed in Psalm 63. In the midst of these challenges we must look to Him for strength and provision. This video clip was excerpted from Randy's Eternity 101 DVD class.

Question from a reader: I just read your story of losing your sweet dog, Moses. I wept and wept as I read. I’m a Christian and am having such great difficulty with the suffering and death of animals everywhere. I have prayed for understanding but can’t find peace. I have begun to realize it is the curse of sin. How do I stop the pain and find peace?

In If God Is Good, I share a story that John Stott tells in his book The Cross of Christ about billions of people seated on a great plain before God’s throne.