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Thank you for having the honesty and courage to ask such a difficult question.
Actually, the question is not so difficult, I suppose, just the answer. It really is a matter of perspective.
I can certainly understand the doubt that could be caused by the presence of so much misery and suffering in the world, which is so ever present in the news and we know that we see only a fraction of the suffering. We think of the weather patterns, that have caused havoc in China recently where there are literally thousands of fatalities. We look at the hunger, disease and injury from war and might even conclude that those who suffered a fatal end in the major disasters were the lucky ones as they are no longer in pain. These terrible human circumstances do seem incongruous in a world created by a loving Heavenly Father.
I see these things and on the other hand I see that there is so much love and beauty and intricate design and function of nature in the world, that there has to be a supreme being at the helm. I could not imagine such complexity and beauty being a result of some accidental or even natural occurrence.
My belief is that God sees things from an eternal perspective and that this mortal life is but a spec in time of his and our infinite existence. That is not to say that this mortal stint is not important, and that somehow suffering is a critical part of it. We are taught, for example, that we are consigned to suffer and die so that we can better understand the value of immortality which is that we will all live forever without suffering and death. This gift, when one comes to understand the Atonement of Jesus Christ, is available because Jesus answered the demands of justice by suffering the pain and suffering of all in some infinite and incomprehensible way. Through our pain and suffering, we can better appreciate his gift. The scripture indicates that there will be eternal rewards for those who suffer, especially if they suffer it well, that is without losing faith in God and Christ.
Much suffering, we bring onto ourselves and is a result of choices we make. I believe that God is bound by his commitment to maintain free agency and will not intervene to oppose the choices we make. We believe that this free agency was exercised as well in the life before birth. The Bible talks of such agency when it describes the rebellion of Lucifer, that old dragon, who was cast out of that realm along with his followers, to this very earth where they continue to try bring about the misery for others to which they know they are consigned (see Revelations 12th chapter). We know that the choices we made in the pre-earth life, has great bearing on the circumstances into which we are born. Now you may not believe in Satan and his efforts, but there are those who have had encounters with evil spirits who would testify in all solemnity of the reality of Satan and his hosts and attest to the honest truth, that he is the author and promoter of misery. By the way, he is a spirit in human form, no horns.
What you are overlooking is the source of pure knowledge so that you can know without question the truth of the existence of God, of his love for us and of how his plan of salvation is on track, especially for those who find him and follow him. By him, I really mean his son whom he sent to redeem us all from misery. This source, even though it will not contradict any truth, is detected spiritually. Here is Paul's explanation:
9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
(New Testament | 1 Corinthians 2:9 - 14)
5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
(New Testament | James 1:5 - 6)
7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
(New Testament | Matthew 7:7 - 8)
I can attest to you that if you will be humble and prayerful enough to take your question to God, you will learn about the power of the Spirit who can communicate to you through your spirit. It will be as real to anything you can see, hear, taste, smell or feel.
I cannot convince you or anyone, but God can and will if you will let him.
Sincerely,
Donny Osmond
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