Why is there Suffering?
Part of Help My Unbelief
November 5, 2023

“The father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” —Mark 9:24 (NKJV)

Jesus: “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.” —John 16:33 (NLT)

Marker #1:

gives the best explanation for good and evil.

• God is not real – Evil is real (

)

• God is real – Evil is not real (

)

• God is real – Evil is real (

)

Marker #2:

helps explain why evil was allowed in the world.

What is Free Will? Our God-given ability to

(good or bad).

Marker #3: If you stick with Him, God’s promises can

!

• God is

than you think

The Lord is close to those whose hearts are breaking.” —Psalm 34:18-19 (TLB)

“God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.” —Hebrews 13:5-6 (NIV)

“God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.” —Acts 17:27 (NIV)

• God

what you’re going through.

“He was despised and rejected– a man of sorrows, acquainted with bitterest grief… he was wounded and crushed…. He was beaten…. He was whipped…. He was oppressed and treated harshly…” —Isaiah 53:3-7 (NLT)

• God’s

are new every morning

“The thought of my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words. I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss. Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning…”. —Lamentations 3:19-25 (NLT)

“The Lord is good to those who depend on him.” —Lamentations 3:19-25 (NLT)

• God is closer than you think
• God understands what you’re going through.
• God’s mercies are new every morning