The Problem of Evil and Suffering in Las Vegas and Elsewhere
Words are sadly inadequate as a response to all the recent natural disasters, and this week we had to face the added dimension of human evil in the Las Vegas murders. This isn’t the first time, and won’t be the last, that we who are Jesus-followers either ask or are asked by others, “How can a good and loving God allow such tragedies?”
When tragedies come, our thinking may quickly become confused, even distorted. In this eight-minute video interview with Greg Laurie, I share a perspective on suffering when we’re in the very thick of it.
You cannot resolve the problem of evil and suffering in this lifetime. Present suffering must be seen in light of the promises of God in eternity. Here’s a five-minute video where I explain this further.
We wonder, “Why doesn’t God do more to restrain evil and suffering?” Severe suffering seems unacceptable to us because we’re unaccustomed to it, and also because we draw wrong conclusions about God. I personally believe God restrains the great majority of evil and suffering that we would have to face in this world without His intervention. Here are further insights in two parts:
Even when the pain seems pointless, we can still learn to trust God.
I appreciated this article from Desiring God: One Day Never Again (May Heaven Fall on Las Vegas)
One late-night television host lamented that “this shooting feels like someone has opened a window into hell.” He’s tapped into at least one truth—the evil prince of darkness certainly had a hand in this tragedy. But God does not turn His back on hurting people. He sees. He knows. When Hagar tried to flee trouble, the Lord spoke to her and she recognized Him as “the God who sees” (Genesis 16:13).
Song-writer Jeremy Camp put it this way: “We may faint and we may sink; Feel the pain and near the brink; But the dark begins to shrink when you find the One who knows…Every hurt and every sting; He has walked the suffering; He knows.”
God’s Word has much to say on suffering because He experienced the greatest suffering imaginable on the cross for you and for me. I can’t think of a better way to end than to share Scripture to meditate on:
"We have suffered terror and pitfalls, ruin and destruction. Streams of tears flow from my eyes because my people are destroyed" (Lamentations 3:47-48).
"I called on your name, O Lord, from the depths of the pit. You heard my plea: 'Do not close your ears to my cry for relief.' You came near when I called you, and you said, 'Do not fear'" (Lamentations 3:55-57).
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted" (Matthew 5:4).
"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds" (Psalm 147:3).
"When I am afraid, I put my trust in you" (Psalm 56:3).
"Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken" (Psalm 55:22).
"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:21).
Further resources that might be helpful:
If God Is Good, Why Do We Hurt?
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Dear Shauna,thank you for reading my post!This article definitely inspired me & I had so many raw feelings that day I wanted to share with others. It rewards me greatly it encouraged you...its like paying it forward for Randy Alcorns's brillant article😆 I dont know if Mr Alcorn read it himself but would love for him to at least know how much it helped me in light of whats happened & inspired me greatly! My way of coping difficult times for many years has been writing.This of his article has inspired me, renewed that "writers fire" to continue towards finishing a few book ideas Ive been working on but yet to finish. Maybe now my post & whats happened has given me new material.Who knows! Thanks for sharing what you did, it made my day...week! Nothing I love more than to help, inspire encourage others through my writing.😊 Blessings & Hope to you. LG
Randy wrote: "Hi Lisa,
This is Shauna, answering on behalf of Randy Alcorn's ministry, Eternal Perspective Ministries. Wow. Thank you so much for sharing part of your story with us. It's beautifully written and ..."
Hi again Lisa! While on here, I accidently hit "delete" on your original comment! Would you be able to post it again? I'm so sorry about that. If it's posted again, I'll definitely share it with Randy. I know it would mean a lot to him. :) -Shauna
Randy wrote: "Hi again Lisa! While on here, I accidently hit "delete" on your original comment! Would you be able to post it again? I'm so sorry about that. If it's posted again, I'll definitely share it with Ra..."Hi Shauna, I have done that many a time!So many that I always(well almost always, unless I forget lol) I copy it "just in case" lol The times I didnt feel like someone took a big fat eraser to your hard work! Ugh. I actually did that for these posts, so Id be rewarded & honored to share again😊😊 Given whats happened in Las Vegas,how close to home it hit the many emotions Ive been experiencing your kind words have helped so much. Im humbled by the thought of Mr Alcorn reading my posts😊Hes obviously a very gifted writer & being an aspiring published(I am hopeful someday😊) author myself it would be an honor. Ill post my original post seperately...time to check my devices clipboard haha The clipboard creator on devices is a genius by the way! Blessings & hope!!
In the wake of this horrible & wicked tragedy, it saddened me to see people say things like "Where is God now?" "hope doesnt work, prayer doesnt work" & many others.At one point I did get angry & had to share my own feelings as I know it not to be true.Obviously God cant change man, but He can change the outcome of mans evil wickendness or bad choices. My daughter & her 2 childhood girlfriends were at the event that night & thankfully werent injured with the exception of a few blisters & scratches from who knows where when they were running, so Im not removed from this horrible tragedy. And unfortunately, they are not the only ones we know who experienced this evil tragedy first hand that night.
This Momma still feels the effects of that imprint from that night that seemed last for days. For me, prayer DOES work.It worked before that terrifying night too many times to fill this lil' white box on this page & I can tell you boy oh boy did it work that night here in a So Cal when my daughter called to say she was ok with a phone @5% battery.
Upon hanging up, you bet I asked people to start praying & did alot of praying myself. I felt the need to share my story with some of those who posted about prayer or hope not working & how this Momma spent that night praying, praying until those girls were in my arms & back home safe the next day.
My whole life story is a tribute to Gods grace, power, plan & the power of prayer. So yes, prayer works, hope prevails, its tangible, HOPE WINS! And despite my daughter & her 2 gfs trauma, survivors guilt & PTSD, God can & will use it ALL for His good. Ive already read & heard stories of His "using evil for good." So yes,even in the face of such evil & suffering,prayer DOES work,hope remains & Gods plan always, always, always wins. Evil will NEVER WIN. He wins. He prevails.
Thank you, Lisa! I so appreciate you understanding and sharing your wonderful words again. I'll makes sure to send them along to Randy. They will no doubt touch his heart. What a gift it is to be blessed over Goodreads! God can use anything and this time it was Goodreads! :) -Shauna
This is Shauna, answering on behalf of Randy Alcorn's ministry, Eternal Perspective Ministries. Wow. Thank you so much for sharing part of your story with us. It's beautifully written and a testament to God's goodness in a very dark situation. Your words were an encouragement to me!
-Shauna