For God’s wrath is revealed against heaven against all godlessness and unrighteousness of people who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth, since what can be known about God is evident among them, because God has shown it to them. For His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what He has made. As a result, people are without excuse.     Romans 1:18-20

I was raised in church. As some often say, I was dragged to church every time the doors were open. Church wasn’t optional for me when I was growing up.

I have never questioned the existence of God. I have always believed in Him, but there were times in my life when I lived as though I had no clue who He was.

People question God’s existence by saying things like, “If God is real, why is there so much suffering in the world?” Well, if you read Genesis chapters 1-3 this will help you understand. There is suffering because of sin. Adam and Eve lived in the Garden of Eden, a paradise, which provided a perfect existence where the people and the animals all got along and there was no suffering.

Many scientists have set out to disprove the Bible only to prove what it says is true. Lee Strobel set out to prove that God or Jesus didn’t exist only to find himself proving Christ is real. His book the Case for Christ speaks of his journey of discovery. If you haven’t read his book or watched the documentary or the movie, I encourage you to do so.

After the fall of Adam and Eve, corruption became so rampant that God decided to destroy the world. He was upset He had even made humans, so He sent the flood. He found Noah, however, to be a righteous man so, He spared Noah, his wife and his sons and daughters-in-law. God has always given us the choice to sin or not sin. If we choose sin, we must understand it has deadly consequences.

You won’t find any Scriptures that tell you if you surrender to Christ, you won’t have suffering. In fact, in John 16:33 Jesus says in this world you will have trouble but be courageous because He has overcome the world. This week we will celebrate Jesus’ resurrection. We will celebrate His overcoming the world. Through Him, we too can overcome the world. We are told in Romans 8:35-37, that nothing like affliction, anguish, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger or sword can separate us from the love of Christ. In all these things we are more than victorious through Him who loved us.

Jesus set an example for how we are to live. We are told in Ephesians 5:1 to be imitators of Christ. Jesus suffered more than most of us could even imagine. He did so for sinners like you and me. He did this for those who opposed Him and didn’t believe in Him. It was my sin and your sin that nailed Him to the cross.

You ask if God is real, why is their suffering in the world? God built this beautiful garden for Adam and Eve, but because they succumbed to the devil’s temptation, there has been suffering ever since. Jesus provides the way out. Through Him, we can conquer sin and death.

We are told in Revelation 21:4 when we get to heaven, Jesus will wipe away every tear we have shed. We will enter into a place where there is no more pain, no more suffering, no more crying, no more death and no more mourning. But to get there, you have to believe in Him.

I choose to believe God is real and live in a close relationship with Him. I can feel His presence in my life. This gives me joy and peace amidst the chaos. I look forward to an eternity in His presence.

I tell you all these things because I find the alternative terrifying. I hope you will join me in honoring Him and praising Him while you have the opportunity here on earth so we can spend eternity together.

Have a great day!

 

 

Have a great day!