People in Wrexham, North Wales are being invited to ask questions about Christian belief. This week’s question is, “How can a God of love permit suffering?”

Two men looked out through prison bars, one saw mud, the other stars! Similarly there are two ways of looking at our question. When troubles come some think God is a cruel arsonist and so they get bitter. However, others look upon God as a refiner and therefore get better as they humbly accept fiery trials that are designed to purify their faith. There’s a Bible proverb which says, “If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.” [ Proverbs 24:10 ]. Our faith in God is pathetic if it fades away when problems arise.

The good news is that a strong Bible based faith in God has been proved by millions to give strength in the day of adversity. Those who view the death of Christ as the greatest gift of love the world has ever seen will never doubt His love even though sometimes they have to endure many sorrows. Such people will believe that whatever may happen the following Bible text is true, which says, “We know that all things work together for good to those that love God.” [ Romans 8:28 ] As they go forward trusting in these words of promise, and praying for God’s strength and guidance, He will keep their hearts and minds at peace and the joy of the Lord will be their strength. [ Nehemiah 8:10 ]

We must never forget that God allowed His only Son to suffer as well as many of His followers. One of them called Paul wrote, “I consider that the sufferings of this present time, are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” [ Romans 8:18 ] Have patience! There’s a wonderful future for those who love Him.