Who causes pain and suffering?

People question about pain and suffering, where does it come from and why do good people suffer; therefore, just thought I would share a few words on the subject.

We are told in the Bible that God is loving, compassionate, and merciful; God is perfect; God is so divine and inherently good that we mortal, sinful beings cannot even stand in his presence. In the Old Testament, leaders like Moses had to remove their shoes or veil their faces to be anywhere in the vicinity of God, because the very space that God occupied was holy. First John 4:8 says simply and concisely: “God is love.” Based on this understanding of God, we see that inflicting suffering on his creation would contradict God’s fundamental nature. So, if not from God, then who? The answer to the question is satan. The book of Job speaks to this in some detail as Job is victimized by the devil through attacks on his family, possessions, and, finally, himself. The interesting thing to note here, however….and what gives some people the most pause….is that though satan administers the suffering, God must grant permission for it to occur. Job 2:6 states, “The Lord said to satan, ‘Very well, then, [Job] is in your hands; but you must spare his life.’”

Suffering is a perspective-changer. When things are going well and life seems easy, it can be hard to see any reason to look beyond ourselves. When the opposite is true, our need for divine assistance becomes crystal clear. It’s through suffering that we begin to look beyond the shallow confines of this life and peek out into eternity….to the glorious salvation that awaits all who believe in Jesus Christ. “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” ~ 2 Corinthians 4:16-17

Satan is an evil being opposed to God and mankind. Satan is also called "the devil" (Matthew 4:1),"the ruler of this world" (John 14:30), "the god of this world" (2 Corinthians 4:4), "Beelzebub" (Matthew 12:24), and "the ruler of the power of the air" (Ephesians 2:2). 1 John 5:19 says, "the whole world lies under the power of the evil one."

“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” ~ James 1:2-4 We trust Him that all that comes into our lives, even pain and suffering, first passes through the loving hands of the Master. We have believing, trusting faith that He remains the Great Physician and when we ask in the Mighty Name of Jesus, it will be given. We must pray with expectancy.....from a faith-filled heart. †