Why I Suffer

Boy, did I have to expand my theology to understand why evil exists and why I suffer.

It started when I realized Eve wasn't told she would suffer when she gave birth, she was told she would suffer more (Gen 3:16). More? How could it be more when she lived in Utopia (no suffering in Eden, right?). Evidently Eden wasn't a complete utopia. Oh... If she was meant to suffer, then what about me?

Then there is this reality: God suffers. Jesus suffered on the cross. That's God suffering. And I'm sure the Father suffered. All through eternity God the Father and God the Son had a relationship. And now it was ripped apart. Yeah, there was suffering.

Now, to stretch my theology. The cross was planned before the foundation of the world. That meant God planned on suffering happening in this universe before He created it. Why would God create a universe where He would suffer? One simple conclusion: God suffered before, out there. Out in eternity. And the reason He brought it in here?

An inconvenient (for me) fact in this area: I was made in God's image. I was made to react to various circumstances the way God does. All types of circumstances. God suffers. How will I show how God reacts to suffering if I don't suffer? I won't. So I do- suffer, that is.

A convenient (for me) fact: God always pays us for doing His will. I suffer in this very short life- and react to it the same way God does, and God pays me with glorious rewards for all eternity. Not that's a great deal!

Now I have to ask: Why would God suffer out there in eternity? God is “love”- the unconditional commitment to the well-being of others He is in or has a possibility of being in a relationship with. And part of this unconditional commitment is giving others the freedom to choose whether or not to glorify God. Out there in eternity, I believe, are creatures that chose to violate God, causing Him to suffer.

Angels watch us. Continually. Why? So they can see how God reacts to suffering. And especially so they can see mercy in action. (Lk 15:7, 10; 1P 1:10) Which is a huge lifestyle principle of God's that we are to live by. Those angels have a stake in how God reacts to suffering. Some- maybe all- well, did wrong. Like me. So they get to see how God treats me, and how I treat others.

That's what I exist for. So angels can see the mercy God shows me and the mercy I show others.

That's why I suffer. And you?

I have wandered into a new theology system. It can be called Anointing Theology. I didn't set out to do this.

To God be the glory.

4-25-2022