I was looking on the internet for some information on my son's illness. One thing led to another and I ended up looking at pictures of kids with the genetic disorder that two of my boys were born with. Anyhow, a lot of children die because of this, not to mention so many other problems and abuse. This brings me to my question:

Why does God (I am a believer) allow this sort of thing to happen? Children are innocent, why would He allow them to go through so much? Why are the innocent hurt? I don't believe He lets it happen but maybe He just doesn't interfere. Which brings me to the second part of my question. How does He decide when to step in or does He? I believe in miracles so I'm sure He does intervene, but why and when?

Does anyone have any thoughts on these questions?

Thank you for anything you are willing to share.

The question of the ages. I sure wish I had something profound to say, but I don't. Seeing all of the pain and suffering in the world may very well be why so many doubt there is a loving God out there at all.

I can only suggest a little reading to see how others answer. Here are a couple articles I enjoyed reading while looking around:

http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0500120.htm
http://www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/CU/ac0702.asp

Your question is an honest one that is hard to answer. I can only say that through adversity do what is within your power to the best of your ability and just keep believing. Never give up your faith no matter how bad life gets.

Hi Aqua, I'm sorry to hear.
I asked myself the same kind of questions about 2 years ago when my dad got terminally ill.
I can you see you have a lot of faith, more then me, so keep that strong aqua that's what keeps you going.

Thank you for answering. It looks like I am not the only who doesn't know. For my own self, I can see that there is a bigger picture that I am not aware of. I realize bad things have to happen probably because we would not know just how good we have it sometimes. LOL.

I'm thinking he let's things happen because he has given us the freedom to choose and then we must deal with the consequences. Unfortunately I think the consequences can take a while to show up. Maybe the reprecutions don't even effect us initially?

I can definitely understand why some people wouldn't believe in a god. I guess maybe there is no really answer and if we choose to believe it is because of faith. I have gotten many answers to many prayers, some are obvious and some I see only later. This is what keeps my faith going. When I am in desperate need of help, and I feel like I am going to crack, if I get down and pray, I always get an answer.

When I was contemplating having a fourth baby after 2 had been born with this or tying my tubes, I asked an obstitrician who belongs to our church what he thought. I asked him, from a medical stand point, was I crazy to think about maybe in a few years having another. I knew I could not handle it at the time, but I thought I might be able to in a few years. Actually, I didn't think I would ever be able to handle the situation again, and I was contemplating what I thought we should really do. He is about 70 years old and holds a high position in our church and had been head of obstetrics at the hospital so I really wanted to hear what he had to say. He said that medically I would not be seen as insane for having another one. He suggested that this wasn't something that was just happening to me. He said it might be something the child had to go through for whatever reason. This was a moment for me and it really gave me something to think about. Maybe we are just caught in other's experiences. I don't know. I think everything happens for a reason, and I was involved for some reason I don't know about yet.

I hear that whatever doesn't kill us, makes us stronger.

I'm sorry if I was rambling and I hope what I said made sense. I have a lot of thoughts and I'm not sure they all came together.

You know me... I am a nut for the big picture, and I love to learn and to understand but some things are unanswerable, Aqua. I have a long list of questions I hope to ask when I die--presuming I get to meet my Creator then! LOL

I know that I am small and that the physical universe is vast and the spiritual universe is even more vast. I also know there have been many "tragedies" along my path that I later learned were not really that but a detour instead, a detour I could now feel blessed for having been forced to take. It took a while but I now understand that the boulder in the middle of the path IS a part of the path. I now can often say, "we'll see." before I label something as either good or bad.

I also try to suspend judgement as much as possible. Its easier that way. And I can be so wrong when I am judgemental. Like that wonderful story in the book "Illusions"-- what the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the master calls a butterfly! I have known some pretty afflicted people in my life and some of them taught unbelievably profound lessons to those who were tuned in.

Like the child who doesn't understand why she can't eat candy for dinner, I think about all sorts of things, inluding this about your two sons, and I recognise that these questions are just too big for me right now or I am too little. But I have personally sensed in a way that made for unshakable belief that one day, who knows when or how, we all get to be that big and that a complete and satisfying understanding will come.

So until then, I use my well developed skill of procrastination and put it on my "Too Big For Now" list. I think God understands even if I don't and so I ride along on that as a sort of comfort and foundation. SO my answer to your question is: I Don't know, but I will some day! I have hope and that is why I can tolerate not knowing, not understanding for now.

I hope that helps give you more food for thought. If you ever find yourself a little short on hope, Aqua, you can always borrow some of mine too, okay?

God created us. God knows us before we are even created in the womb. Is it possible that each individual has choices on what paths to take in life. Is it possible in the spirit before we come into this world we know what kind of challenges we will face. Each individual, each experience is going to effect everybody in the family. Does this mean we all have lessons in this life to learn and that somebody that has a genetic disease or illness is a way for us to learn how to except others and learn to love others unconditionally. People who have different conditions seem to have a very strong spirit and pure love for others. This is a gift from God. Do you not think. It is not a negative.

As far as miracles. We all have experienced miracles in our lifetimes. Some big some small. Your children are miracles. They are beautiful children in my eyes and in Gods eyes. That is a miracle in it self. Everybody has a difference in opinion on what is considered a miracle.

Joe

Hi aqua@home - Very sorry that you have to cope with such a burden. The Lord is our healer & our strength. I pray you will be comforted & blessed.
Here is an article on the question you asked. Sorry to be brief.I have to get some homebound patients more portable oxygen today (there's a storm expected)
This is just one I could find today:
http://articles.pointshop.com/griefloss/44422.php

GOD allows bad things to happen... because he needs to prove that the way to his kingdom is the way to paradise... the unclean one is misdirecting man in believing that God is responsible for the sickness of your child.. there is battle going on and it is against the good and the evil... the unclean one wants man to move away from GOD and death is a tool of accomplishing this goal...
.. it is the unclean one.. who desires to prove God a liar... but, instead the nasty one in my opinion has proven himself nasty.. . keep the faith... death is a challenged... blessed be... will we fall away from GOD because of the death of a loved one... when my grandmother left she said someday we will be together... a song played that night... repeated her saying it was by Diana Ross... she left... I felt her and knew she was somewhere waiting for me... my grandmother was the only one that truly loved me... next to my grand children... the battle will be won by the creator GOD and the nasty one will be proven a liar... I want the most powerful and the most love-ling and the most cherished... to win this battle and I pray that I will not fall away.. for something nasty is just something I do not want... help us lord keep the faith in these trying of times... let us see all that is beautiful before us... place your yoke on the shoulder of whom this GOD has sent and learn more about the Lord... the yoke he wants man to carry is easy and his burden is light... then your burden is lite...

Dear sir,
Firstly ı want to say that ı am very sorry for your child.I hope that he would be OK one day.and your question; why he lets innocent children die? You say that you are believer of God, and I'm also of God believer and Muslim.I think there isn't much differences between the God you believe and Allah I believe.
Both of us believe the God who is unique.In my opinion, th creater of this world and all universe is capable of doing everything.A leaf couldn't move if he does not let.So there is nothing that he can't do.And you will ask " so why do children die".There are many explanations of it.First, If you believe in fate, there is nothing to do to prevent death.It is similar to that example:If someone gives you money everyday without any expectation, and if one day says "no longer I wiil give you money", will you be angry?It's just like that, everyday, thousands of children are dying!some is having accidents, some is dying because of illness, some is because of starvation, bombs, or many others.
And if you, sir,if you believe in afterdeath, children will go to heaven directly, without any query.
And in my belief, children will be mediator for their parents to go heaven, if their parents are in the way of Allah. I hope there is a belief in your religion or in your heart, because it will make you feel better.
... You can be strictly opposed to me, but I only want to say something for you not to be sad and desperate...

Okay, so I do believe that God has 100% control but I also think that he has to do what he said he will do and allow the consequences to follow.

Joe brought up a good point about miracles. I think they happen, but I'm not sure when. I realize the fact that we have 5 children who make me smile everyday is a miracle. I guess I don't exactly know how to classify what a miracle is...

To talk a little more about what LUNAGODDESS had to say, well I don't think anything bad can come from God. Which makes this all the more confusing. I am going to go back and reread the links that Rick and Pumpkin put on when I am not being so preoccupied with babies. And I will do a little more research of my own. I think I need a little more information.

Thank you all for your input so far.

Thank you Val for clearing up that "sir" business... LOL

You are a very strong person aqua, I get that feeling about you :)

My friend's daughter had a child that has many handicaps. He will be 3 soon and we call him the miracle baby. When I walk in the door he jumps up, smiles and throws me kisses, He is so full of love and he has brought about some changes in the family that needed changed. I have always wondered why children are born with illnesses. I suppose until we leave this world we will no know the true answer. I like to believe that a child's spirit is perfect, it is only the covering God gave us to wear on earth that is damaged.

I do not know what your boys illness are, they are very lucky to have you for a mother. I would say you are a special person if God felt you were strong enough to handle it.

talaniman agrees: I think God chose you to give love and nurture His special children

WOW Tal, what a lovely note.

I would like to say thank you for your comments. Sometimes when I need a little comfort and support, there it is! You guys are great! I have learned so much on this site and I look forward to the great deep discussion or chuckle I get from here. Some things have become more clear and others, well, not so much. I have much to think about... thank you. Thank you talaniman for that note.

My pleasure Aqua :) xx

God knows we can handle and endure anything, it is we who set our limitations, not even knowing it. I am sure you are a person that can see strength in others not realizing your strength and cmpassion surpasses some you admire.

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M:)

Why does God (I am a believer) allow this sort of thing to happen? Children are innocent, why would He allow them to go through so much? Why are the innocent hurt? I don't believe He lets it happen but maybe He just doesn't interfere. Which brings me to the second part of my question. How does He decide when to step in or does He? I believe in miracles so I'm sure He does intervene, but why and when? Does anyone have any thoughts on these questions?

Yours is the cry of millions who have similar experiences to yours. Your questions form part of the wider question about the problems of evil and suffering. One argument being that if God is all-powerful, why does he not stop evil things happening, and why does he not intervene to prevent the innocent from suffering, and stop it when it does happen.

Nonbelievers and believers alike often question why God would allow evil of any kind to exist.

Epicurus said,

Either God is unwilling to prevent the evil that occurs or he is unable to prevent it. If he is unable, then he is not omnipotent; if he is unwilling, then he is not perfectly good.

Epicurus' statement of the dilemma is based on two assumptions:

1) a perfectly good being prevents all the evil it can; and, 2) an omnipotent being can do anything and, hence, can prevent all evil.

From a scriptural perspective the first assumption is false. A perfectly good being would certainly wish to maximize the good, but if, in the nature of things, allowing an experience of evil were a necessary condition of achieving the greatest good, a perfectly good being would allow it. For example, it seems evident that the existence of opposition and temptation is a necessary condition for the expression of morally significant freedom and the development of genuinely righteous personalities. How can we choose to do right if we are unable to choose to act in opposition to 'doing right'? Scripture rejects the second assumption.

God aids each of us in reaching our potential. It is not a "decree" that disease, stress, and pain are part of our growth and enlightenment. The universe and we who live within it simply operate that way. It is enough to know that God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ, though not the source of our tragedies, yet have power to enable us to climb above it, into everlasting joy.

The purpose of our lives is to come to know God and Jesus Christ whom he has sent, and to grow to become like them as well as we are able, and to enjoy an eternity in their presence as the reward of our faith through the grace of God and the atonement of Jesus Christ. In the meantime, our lives unfold, person to person, very differently. Yet irrespective of the circumstances of our individual lives, each of us is, as Paul described, 'the offspring of God,' and God does not leave us to bear our buirdens or sufferings alone. He provides to us the strength to deal with whatever conditions are applied in our lives, whether it is our own sickness or disabilities, or those of our loved ones.

God does not cause our troubles, but like a wise Father he leaves us to deal with them through our faith, and the fruits of that faith are an increase in strength, wisdom, and understanding that enable us to see beyond today's concerns, however pressing and disocuraging they might be, and take the eternal view that in the resurrection, all our deficiencies will be made whole.

To the question about the man born blind in John, when asked who sinned to make him blind, Jesus said that it was not the man himself nor even his parents who were responsible for his blindness. The same question is dealt with throroughly in the Book of Job when Job's comforting friends insist that he is suffering because he must have done something wicked and offended God. But it was not wickedness that brought suffering to Job's door, it was life. In life, sometimes things go wrong for no apparent reason, and God lets us get on with it, giving strength sufficient to our faith.

Many parents blame themselves when their children suffer in some way, or when they die, but they are not to blame. Accidents happen, things go wrong, and no one is at fault. Not parents, not the children, and not God.

The dialogue between Job and his friends offers perhaps the most moving poetry in the realm of religious experience. The problem raised remains a universal one, and the spiritual sufferings depicted find responsive hearts whenever we ponder deeply the issues of life. Job is the victim of philosophy, one that blinds him to some of the most obvious facts of human experience. He has never seen men, women, and children victimized by circumstances over which they have no control and which bear no relation to their motives or their acts. He knows nothing of innocent suffering, for basic in his thinking is the assumption that divine justice always exhibits itself in punishing the guilty and in prospering the innocent. Righteousness, to him, is insurance against all misfortunes.

His own life has been one of extraordinary virtue. Indeed, he has attained what approaches human perfection. He has, therefore, every reason to look forward to a life of unbroken prosperity and happiness. Then without warning comes disaster after disaster. Flocks, herds, and loved ones are snatched from him with stunning swiftness, and his body is afflicted with a painful and loathsome disease. And for it all, his philosophy or religion offers no explanation. The appalling conclusion forces itself upon him that God is no longer a God of justice. Rather, He seems a capricious and vindictive God, saving the evil and destroying the good.

In agony of spirit, Job curses the day that gave him birth and pleads with his alienated deity to grant him death:

"Oh that I might have my request,And that God would grant me the thing that I long for!Even that it would please God to destroy me;That he would loose his hand and cut me off!Then should I yet have comfort."

Yet the great debate in the Book of Job affords no solution to the problem of innocent suffering. The greatest lesson that Job learns is one that sooner or later most of us learn: human life is a fragile thing, and human beings live in a world the events of which are not all to be explained by any simple philosophy: "Man that is born of womanIs of few days and full of trouble.He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down;He fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not."

Job's example instructs us in how to "suffer suffering," rather than in the reason for our suffering.
From the Book of Job we gain no definitive answers to the philosophical problem of evil. In fact, the Lord never supplies Job with an explanation for his afflictions, much less for suffering in general.

But Job's deepest need, as is ours, is not for reasons but for revelation, not for theological precepts but for the divine presence. His crisis is spiritual. His deepest anguish springs from his feeling of godforsakenness, which can be relieved only by the witness, borne on the whirlwind, that God has not forsaken him.

Job's example makes clear that though sometimes suffering is a sign of punishment, it is not so always. Though the book of Job does make it clear that affliction is not necessarily evidence that one has sinned." That is a great comfort, especially for the many blameless souls who accuse themselves when tragedy befalls them. When an infant is born with birth defects or a loved one is killed in an auto accident, when cancer strikes or a job is lost—our immediate response often is, "What have I done to deserve this?"

Job implies that there can be "no-fault" tragedy. This is a truth that pious, well-intentioned religionists have been ever prone to forget. Jesus had to remind those in his day of this lesson on more than one occasion.

Be at peace.

M:)RGANITE

A perfectly good being would certainly wish to maximize the good, but if, in the nature of things, allowing an experience of evil were a necessary condition of achieving the greatest good, a perfectly good being would allow it. For example, it seems evident that the existence of opposition and temptation is a necessary condition for the expression of morally significant freedom and the development of genuinely righteous personalities. How can we choose to do right if we are unable to choose to act in opposition to 'doing right'?

I love this. I agree whole-heartedly, we must know the bad to know the good and we are required to make a choice.


...God does not leave us to bear our buirdens or sufferings alone. He provides to us the strength to deal with whatever conditions are applied in our lives, whether it is our own sickness or disabilities, or those of our loved ones.

Yes and I think this is what K3 was saying. If we know this, that can be strength enough.


In life, sometimes things go wrong for no apparent reason, and God lets us get on with it, giving strength sufficient to our faith... Many parents blame themselves when their children suffer in some way, or when they die, but they are not to blame. Accidents happen, things go wrong, and no one is at fault. Not parents, not the children, and not God..

I have to say this was/is true for me. I thought about what I might have done wrong because I knew the baby hadn't done anything. I still sometimes think that maybe it was because I had children out of wedlock, full well believing I should have. I know it might sound silly, but it seems I have to find a reason for everything. I thought it might have happened for many reasons. I suppose lI hope to see the big picture maybe when I have died.


...That is a great comfort, especially for the many blameless souls who accuse themselves when tragedy befalls them. When an infant is born with birth defects or a loved one is killed in an auto accident, when cancer strikes or a job is lost—our immediate response often is, "What have I done to deserve this?"

Job implies that there can be "no-fault" tragedy. This is a truth that pious, well-intentioned religionists have been ever prone to forget. Jesus had to remind those in his day of this lesson on more than one occasion. ..

I have to admit, I had never heard the story about Job. It was not a good story. I see the point to it though, I think. You have shed some light on the subject and I am glad that I was able to read it. I don't want to be reminded too often. I think from my own personal perspective, I feel the need to find blame because that's what kind of person I am. I want to know why about most things. There must be a reason and as in my case, with a child born with a defect it seems easy to blame myself. I can tell you everything I did wrong during my pregnancy because I have played it over and over in my head many times. It's easy to blame one's self.

I guess the idea is to take what is given and trust in God that we will make it through. Trust that there is a bigger picture and I only have a glimpse of it at the moment.

Thank you Morganite for your input.

I am believer as well and it is sad when things like this happen especially to children. I think of the song that goes, " this is what it means, to be held, how it feels, when the sacred is torn from your life, and you survive..."

All I know is He has a plan and it is not often revealed to us on earth. We are meant to lean on Him and only Him. I know when I struggle I lean on Him most... I think this is one of the reasons things happen. He wants to know who we put our trust in.

Like Job, Paul, and others, do we praise Him in ALL that we do, even if we are in prison or our family is no longer with us on earth?

Your Sister in Christ.

"I am in this world but not of this world."

I would just like to add...

It has been reaffirmed to me (once again) that in order to have the good you must have the bad. I can understand this and I hope to see the plan in it's entirety one day. I like to tell myself that this won't look so bad once we are through it.

A friend once told me that easy is easy and hard is worth it! I like it.

I would just like to add....

It has been reaffirmed to me (once again) that in order to have the good you must have the bad. I can understand this and I hope to see the plan in it's entirety one day. I like to tell myself that this won't look so bad once we are through it.

A friend once told me that easy is easy and hard is worth it! I like it.
I like that sentiment too!

Also some (not all, mind you!) but some of my worst bad has turned out to be for real good reasons I saw later or it was the necessary step to get somewhere I wanted to go to and I only saw that in hindsight. So I like to apply a lot of "we'll see" to bad stuff too.

Yes, this is true too. I think the main key is patience. We have to have faith that all things will work out in the end, we just have to be patient and edure until the end.

Val... I am always having to spread the love with you. Thanks... that is a great quote.

I agree with all of u pretty much.

I think God put us on these or any kind of situations just to test us how much faith do we have on him, so those who have more faith and patience and accept every thing as God given may be are in God favorites list.

I personally think that life is like a exam, those who study hard will get through it easily and those who don't will spend their lives with one an other problem on their way long.


I think we as human beings seeks God's help when we are in trouble and when our problem is solved we move on and some of us may forget Him, unless hit by an other problem.

Just personal thoughts don't have to agree.

God does not send "good" things and "bad" things as punishment or rewards. It is unfortunate that your child must experience this illness but at a higher source, it is something in a very consciously way that being has decided. It is also about what you as his mother/father is to learn from this experience and how this will make you stronger and grow your spirit in ways never before.

Nobody said it is going to be easy or it is "fair" for either of you, but it is the way it is, and it is up to you what label you are going to put on the situation. I see this as a great opportunity for your soul to expand, to increase your patience and love, and to show your commitment to love. After all, all you can do about the situation is be love to your child and love the situation you are in. No judgments, no whys?

Nothing is good or bad and things happen for a reason. This may seem "cold" or whatever, but really think about a bigger picture. If all life is is experience, this is a great experience for your soul.

~peace~

I was looking on the internet for some information on my son's illness. One thing led to another and I ended up looking at pictures of kids with the genetic disorder that two of my boys were born with. Anyhow, a lot of children die because of this, not to mention so many other problems and abuse. This brings me to my question:

Why does God (I am a believer) allow this sort of thing to happen? Children are innocent, why would He allow them to go through so much? Why are the innocent hurt? I don't believe He lets it happen but maybe He just doesn't interfere. Which brings me to the second part of my question. How does He decide when to step in or does He? I believe in miracles so I'm sure He does intervene, but why and when?

Does anyone have any thoughts on these questions?

Thank you for anything you are willing to share.
Sometimes a person is placed in our lives so that we may learn who is in control. When I look around and see people that may not have as much as I do or someone who may be ill. I thank God that it is not me. You just never know who God is working through... sometimes it is a test to see have you forgotten. Be blessed and keep the faith. Don't question God. ALWAYS remember God would never put more on us than we can bare. I am sure you have strong children. Take care. Prayer is the Key, Faith unlock the door. God Bless You and Your Family.

I found myself asking the same thing after I lost a child due to a misscarriage thet my wife had when she was 5 months along. I blamed God, asked why oh why would you do this to us? I have never gotten an answer, only in time some comfort when I was down and thinking about what might have been. I did find a book one time it's called " Where is god when it hurts?". I don't know if it will help you as it did me. I will pray for the comfort you need.

I believe that everything happens for a reason. When children are sick I believe it is because that sickness will make them have certain experiences and will teach them what it is they need to learn in this life. I beieve in reincarnation and how we are supposed to learn a specific something in each life and what we go through helps us to learn that special something. It's just that whatever your children have to learn in this life, their illness is the best way to teach them that.

Hi there Aqua.
Where should I start.. . I'm a Christian and belief evere word, frase and sylable in the Bible.
Every child of God must be chastised. Only illegetemate children cannot take chastisement.
When your child is ill, you as a mother will know what to give your child. Sometimes bitter medicine is needed. How much more God.. . He knew up from before the foundation of the world. Sometimes our parents, grandparents, great grandparents etc, are the cause of our suffering/blessing today.
If you look at Abraham. God promised him that he will have a son by his wife Sarah. Sarah being old and dried up staggered at the promise, in fact she laughed within herself when God made the promise to her, in so much so that she have her handmaid Hagar unto Abraham. The result was Ishmael. See God never told Abraham when he would receive the promised son Isaac.
God told Noah to preach that it would rain, but God didn't tell him when it would rain. "God is not a man that He should seek counsel from us"
In the beginning.. . Even before there was a star in the sky we were in His mind. God then created the angels first, however they knew only to prostrate themselves before God and Worship Him. BUT God wanted Worship that were out of choice. He had all those attributes in Him;
To be a Saviour/Redeemer (but no one was lost)
To be a Healer (but no one was sick)
To be a Father, etc.
What am I saying to you Aqua?
You see. I belief that a trial or temptation is conformation that the Grace of God is with you.
A lot of people are afraid of death.. . Death is just a doorway to another dimension.
For them that are obedient to the full Word of God, they are the sons and daughters of God. Prayers of Saints availeth much. Keep projecting love and remain obedient to God. Satan will come and want you to doubt God's Word. That's what happened to Eve; she doubted.
The Lord Jesus Christ already died on the Cross. He has (part tense) already paid the price. Just belief and take God at His Word.

I wish that we all had the answers to these important questions. I believe that we are given obstacles and hardships that we are to overcome. Once we accomplish that we do grow tremendously. Our hardest times are often the most beneficial to us in the long term. I think in your situation God created these two children so that you can learn to love them and learn what compassion really is. Also, these children will love you unconditionally and it does not matter what their appearance or disorder is. It just matters that they love you and you love them

Albert

"To be absent of the body is to be present with the Lord"
Why would your mourn your child, or any child, not suffering anymore?

If the world were a perfect place people would have nothing to look forward to. God gave you the gift of your children for a reason. We may not know or understand why some things are as they are , but he does , and one day you will to. Trust God and he will get you through it. Remember you have to go through to get to. God has a purpose and a will and no matter what it will be the way he wants it it to be. It seems as Christians we are always on the brunt of problems but that's OK Because God will provide for us as long as we believe and trust him to his word.
He will neither leave us or forsake us.

Hi Aqua at home,
Sorry to hear about your children's health, but I hope the Almighty grants you courage and patience to give them the love and care you wish to give them.

I am a firm believer in Islam!

Quran chapter 99 verse 7-8
"So whosoever does good equal to the weight of an atom (or a small ant), shall see it.
And whosoever does evil equal to the weight of an atom (or a small ant), shall see it."

And I believe the good things and the bad that happens to us in this world is a test and we may not see the results of our work in this worldly life,but I believe we will be recompensed in full in the Hereafter.

Quran chapter 6 verse 152
"And come not near to the orphan's property, except to improve it, until he (or she) attains the age of full strength; and give full measure and full weight with justice. We burden not any person, but that which he can bear. And whenever you give your word (i.e. judge between men or give evidence, etc.), say the truth even if a near relative is concerned, and fulfill the Covenant of Allâh, This He commands you, that you may remember."

As I have highlighted in the above verse
I believe the Almighty burdens not a person beyond which he can bear.So I believe those strong enough to bear some burdens are entrusted with difficult tasks.
Some people have such easy lives with little care for others but those who do care surely suffer more for the caring hearts they have.

"To be absent of the body is to be present with the Lord"
Why would your mourn your child, or any child, not suffering anymore?


Have you considered that he loved his child and mises him? That is human. Entirely human. I still weep for my parrot who died three and a half years ago. How much more should we weep for a child of our loins and heart?


Tom

I was looking on the internet for some information on my son's illness. One thing led to another and I ended up looking at pictures of kids with the genetic disorder that two of my boys were born with. Anyhow, a lot of children die because of this, not to mention so many other problems and abuse. This brings me to my question:

Why does God (I am a believer) allow this sort of thing to happen? Children are innocent, why would He allow them to go through so much? Why are the innocent hurt? I don't believe He lets it happen but maybe He just doesn't interfere. Which brings me to the second part of my question. How does He decide when to step in or does He? I believe in miracles so I'm sure He does intervene, but why and when?

Does anyone have any thoughts on these questions?

Thank you for anything you are willing to share.
Why does God allow human suffering? Because of Adam and Eve's rebellion against God, they became the representatives of the human race that continually sin against the God of the universe. Before the flood the Lord said, "The Lord saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become" (Gen. 6.5, NIV). Before the desrtuction of Sodom and Gomorrah the Lord said, "The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so grievous that I will go down and see if what they have done is as bad as the outcry that has reached me" (Gen. 18.20). The Lord said through Isaiah the prophet, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, " declares the Lord" (Isa. 55.8-9). Finally, Jesus was recorded saying to the question: "Who then can be saved?" Jesus replied, "What is impossible with men is possible with God" (Lk. 18.26-27). Jesus also said, "No one is good--execpt God alone" (Lk. 18.19). God's perspective is far superior to that of us humans. There were people of every age and condition before the flood, and in the eyes of a Holy God "No one is good". Therefore, it is impossible for anyone to be saved on their own power. These should be sobering thoughts as we think about the question "Why does God allow human suffering?"

I was looking on the internet for some information on my son's illness. One thing led to another and I ended up looking at pictures of kids with the genetic disorder that two of my boys were born with. Anyhow, a lot of children die because of this, not to mention so many other problems and abuse. This brings me to my question:

Why does God (I am a believer) allow this sort of thing to happen? Children are innocent, why would He allow them to go through so much? Why are the innocent hurt? I don't believe He lets it happen but maybe He just doesn't interfere. Which brings me to the second part of my question. How does He decide when to step in or does He? I believe in miracles so I'm sure He does intervene, but why and when?

Does anyone have any thoughts on these questions?

Thank you for anything you are willing to share. I'm a deist, & I don't believe that God does intervene in our lives. He lets things develop naturally. I don't believe suffering & death are the result of man's sin, they are just part of life.

I was looking on the internet for some information on my son's illness. One thing led to another and I ended up looking at pictures of kids with the genetic disorder that two of my boys were born with. Anyhow, a lot of children die because of this, not to mention so many other problems and abuse. This brings me to my question:

Why does God (I am a believer) allow this sort of thing to happen? Children are innocent, why would He allow them to go through so much? Why are the innocent hurt? I don't believe He lets it happen but maybe He just doesn't interfere. Which brings me to the second part of my question. How does He decide when to step in or does He? I believe in miracles so I'm sure He does intervene, but why and when?

Does anyone have any thoughts on these questions?

Thank you for anything you are willing to share.
I'd suggest this excellent book - Where Is God When It Hurts? By Philip Yancey; it's a tremendous book as the author struggles very honestly with this question. It doesn't have all the answers to this difficult question (who does) but it does contain many profound insights.

I don't think any of this is about God... it's about LIFE! If you have issues with it then it is life you have to take it up with. Some people put it off on God, some put it off on life. The real question here is:

WHICH ONE DO YOU BELIEVE TO BE MORE VIABLE?

A: GOD, the maker of the universe who can't/won't control
The course of an amoeba let alone a single human life?
B: LIFE! That which is the source and motivation for all organisms.

One is flawed, one is not. So tell me... which do you think is flawed? And why?

Why does God allow birth defects? (http://www.gotquestions.org/birth-defects.html)
This link will take you to a question asked about why God allows birth defects. This site is great for answering Bible questions of all kinds even the tough ones. If yours is not on there then you can ask and they will email you an answer.
Bible Questions Answered (http://www.gotquestions.org)
I have learned a lot from this site. They use Bible verses to support their answers so if you are still questioning it you can study further by using their leads.

.....the boulder in the middle of the path IS a part of the path.

What a wonderful way to put it. I have learned to suspend judgment about what I think a situation is about because it is often only in hindsight that I realize the blessing within the so-called tragedy.

Boulders in the middle of the path force us to call on something greater than the ego-self to deal with them. Whether we go around, are lifted above, dig under, blast the boulder with spiritual intent and focus or just stare at it, we are progressing along our path as long as we stay conscious and aware.

Sometimes boulders have appeared in my life, specifically to stop me for a while. When I've been going, going, going like the energizer bunny because I don't want to see something, or deal with something, then sometimes God puts a boulder in front of me. When I am out of options, I will stop. I will surrender. I will listen for the still, small voice that I could never hear when I have my own little agenda.

As for physical challenges that seem cruel, I've seen a few in my work as a healer over the years. Yet, if I looked at the whole picture, I saw that children were coming in damaged to help their parents at times. How? By being the boulder in the road that forced the parent to open their heart in a new way; to call more upon Spirit for guidance; to recognize the sovereign mastery of each soul to choose their fate, including the little child in their arms.

And I agree that other children had their own spiritual mission, and their own reasons for coming into life with illnesses or congenital defects that made life much harder for them than for other children.

I'm seeing Stephen Hawking in my mind right now... He's a sublime example.

I am also thinking of a young girl I met. She is called Grandmother Chandra. I had an experience with her that reinforced my own memory that we choose our bodies, we choose our family, we choose our life's potential.

If life were an open book to us, there'd be no reason to be here. It's an adventure, filled with potential. It's the potential that we choose.

When does God step in? I believe we have free will so I feel Spirit waits for an invitation. The trouble with us, as humans, is that we sometimes don't like the answer God gives. Sometimes, it is in the highest interest of the souls involved, that the illness remain. We may not want to hear that. That's where faith comes in. If we know that the ultimate outcome is good, we can trust that the answer is always good.