Why do bad things happen in the world? If God is good, why is the world full of evil and chaos?
In the beginning the earth was not like that, because of the fall of man sin entered the world and with it problems, diseases, death, tragedies, cruelty… In the Bible, we can see this in more detail in the book of Genesis after the creation of Adam and Eve who lived in paradise, the garden of Eden, until they disobeyed God by eating the only forbidden fruit.
God gave each of us free will to choose between good or evil. Unfortunately, man fell into the serpent's trap and brought sin as an inheritance of curse for all mankind. Because they sinned, we all became sinners and the wage of sin is death.
God is so good that He created a good plan to save us, He loved us when we were still ungrateful sinners. He gave for us on the cross his only Son, Jesus, to pay for our sins and purify us so that we can return to the Presence of God.
"For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!"
Romans 5:17
Who is the culprit?
The devil, father of lies, deceived human beings and it is because of his wickedness that we suffer. But that defeated one does everything to blame and get as many people hurt with God to keep them away from the truth that can heal and set them free.
This loser insistently tries to affect us (problems, illnesses, fears, among others) in order to deceive us so that we can blame them on God, why? To steal our personal relationship with the Almighty Lord.
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
John 10:10
I came to understand these things more deeply after I read the book 'Don't Blame God!' by Kenneth E. Hagin. It is a read that I highly recommend.
"Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.
For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it."
Luke 9:23,24
What is carrying our cross? What is the sacrifice we have to make?
Many people are mistaken and until not long ago I didn't understand myself, I thought that my cross was problems that would never be solved. But there's nothing impossible for God and He wants to see us happy and living the life in abundance that Jesus died to give us.
After all, what is our real cross?
Jesus answered us, notice that He said "If anyone wants to follow me, deny yourself, take up your cross daily and follow me." Our daily sacrifice is to do God's will instead of our will, the sinful wishes of the flesh.
"So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh.
They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want."
Galatians 5:16-17
Our constant war is between the flesh and the spirit, the two are like water and oil, they don't mix. At first, as soon as you start obeying God, your flesh will try to convince you to stop because it hurts, it's not a physical pain but a spiritual one.
Imagine, a person who mistreated you a lot is now in need of help and since they were bad for practically half the planet, nobody is willing to give them a hand.
You felt that God wants you to, in addition to forgiving, help this person who hurt you so much and never asked for forgiveness.
Difficult, isn't it? But that is God 's will, the more you obey, the easier it gets. When we obey we are killing the flesh, breaking our pride. In time, your flesh will be so weak that it won't hurt anymore, you will feel tremendous pleasure in being able to serve God.
"Praise the LORD. Blessed are those who fear the LORD, who find great delight in his commands."
Psalms 112:1
Don't worry, you're not alone on this journey! God left us a counselor to direct our steps on this journey, the Holy Spirit.
"If you love me, keep my commands.
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth.
The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you."
John 14:15-17
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