Better
theologians and philosophers than I (not exactly a high standard for
comparison!) have addressed the "Problem of Pain". I'm not
about to try to offer great new insight into that question. Adam
acted for all mankind in rejecting God. That is our inheritance from
him. His sin changed humanity, and changed the world in which we
live. "Man's inhumanity to man," is just that, humans being what they are and as bad as they decide to be. Similarly, "natural disasters"
are the natural result of man's rejection of God's lordship of
creation, not "acts of God".
God
has "honored" man's rejection of God. He does not force Himself on us or micromanage the world, but
God has not given up on working in creation. Man brought pain into
this world - death, sickness, cruelty, disasters. God uses
these various sorts of pain. Our pain breaks through
our self-deluded, prideful, self-sufficiency. If we listen, well,
pain drives us to seek and trust in the One Who actually is sufficient.
Further, and better, our suffering, endured and learned from, makes
us able to bring comfort and wisdom to others going through the same
pains. Jesus redeemed us from eternal death with His death on the
cross. In His working in our lives, He redeems our pains.
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