Suffering, pain and evil in the world are all problems we, as believers struggle with in our hearts.
“And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon. The dragon and his angels fought back, but they were defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. The great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world – he was thrown down to earth, and his angels were thrown out with him.” Revelation 12: 7-9
There is absolutely no doubt whatsoever in my mind that “evil” exists in the world today. I personally believe there is a malevolent force behind it. I’ve seen evil manifest in a variety to ways. I’ve even stared it in the face at Bob Mackey’s Music World in Wilder, Kentucky.
See article: On the nature of evil and the reality of the unseen https://groundreport.com/on-the-nature-of-evil-and-the-reality-of-the-unseen/
US backed Syrian rebel eating a human heart.
More recently, a friend sent me a video posting on Youtube showing a US backed rebel extremist cutting a human heart out of a man’s chest (while he was still alive) and eating it!
This kind of stuff happens. It’s very real.
See video: Syrian rebel eats human heart, threatens regime http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEZUraRor1o. See also: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXhEiZUBBrQ
In fact I’ve seen so much of this kind of stuff I’ve been on the verge of a mental breakdown on more than one occasion. Its also lead to a serious crisis in faith!
Like many of you, perhaps I’ve been asking myself the questions: “Why did God create evil!”
Why if He is all good, does He allow this to happen.”
1) If God were all-good, He would desire to end suffering and evil in the world.
2) If He were all powerful, He would also end it!
3) Therefore, because there is suffering and evil in the world, God must either be not good, not powerful or possibly doesn’t exist.
Now I’ve talked with priests and scholars alike on this subject and I still have problems with it! Especially as it concerns suffering. Why does God not protect the people? Why does He not defend me? I choose the good: I work to end evil and suffering. But it is beyond my capability to fix. I need help! If God exists why does He not do something to help us end all this?
One Catholic priest I talked with recently said that God gave His church, the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. Through this Sacrament, He communicates the value of suffering to the heart of the one who suffers, and may even grant healing in some cases.
“In God suffering is not a meaningless experience through which we come to know ourselves and the fullness of our dignity. In experiencing suffering, we are drawn into community through which we seek the transforming power of God.”
In regards to ” evil”, the Church, he explained “the church has the rite of exorcism (preformed only by a priest and with the permission of the Bishop) to deal with the devil. That exorcism rites are taken directly from the teachings of Christ: “And these signs will accompany those who believe: by using my name, they will cast out demons.” Mark 16:17.
While taking with various priests has helped I still have a hard time sometimes on these issue.
See related video: The problem of evil and suffering http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dy6nhjAR52o