Suffering, as defined in the dictionary, is “the state of undergoing pain, distress, or hardship.” It involves an experience of unpleasantness and a significant amount of pain. More often than not, we associate suffering with evil (although they are distinct) due to our belief that committing transgressions will possibly have unpleasant consequences that are in line with these wrongdoings. However, suffering is not only limited to those have a high tendency to tolerate evil. People who have the predisposition to do good and shun evil also suffer. All people suffer.
The story of Immaculée Ilibagiza points out to the reality that all of us experience suffering. Immaculée, a Catholic and Tutsi Rwandan, survived the 1994 Rwandan Genocide stuck inside a bathroom with six people. For almost three months, she lived in a cramped space, spending 24 hours a day hiding to avoid being killed. While hiding, Immaculée’s devotion to God became stronger and more evident through her prayers. If this is the case, then why did Immaculée suffer? If God was truly an all-powerful and all-loving God, why would he allow people like Immaculée to undergo suffering? …show more content…
God did not originally create the world to have evil and suffering. The creation of the world, as stated in Genesis, is described as “very good.” Human beings were created in the image and likeness of God to be in harmony with God. However, Adam and Eve’s act of eating the fruit of knowledge in the Garden of Eden signifies their choice to take the road of disobedience against God; thus, bringing suffering and death in our world and to everyone else because Adam and Eve are our descendants. In other words, the Fall of Man gave way for suffering to
The story of Immaculée Ilibagiza points out to the reality that all of us experience suffering. Immaculée, a Catholic and Tutsi Rwandan, survived the 1994 Rwandan Genocide stuck inside a bathroom with six people. For almost three months, she lived in a cramped space, spending 24 hours a day hiding to avoid being killed. While hiding, Immaculée’s devotion to God became stronger and more evident through her prayers. If this is the case, then why did Immaculée suffer? If God was truly an all-powerful and all-loving God, why would he allow people like Immaculée to undergo suffering? …show more content…
God did not originally create the world to have evil and suffering. The creation of the world, as stated in Genesis, is described as “very good.” Human beings were created in the image and likeness of God to be in harmony with God. However, Adam and Eve’s act of eating the fruit of knowledge in the Garden of Eden signifies their choice to take the road of disobedience against God; thus, bringing suffering and death in our world and to everyone else because Adam and Eve are our descendants. In other words, the Fall of Man gave way for suffering to