Articles
“Is God In Control?”
By Don Case
Often it seems our world is spinning out of control. We receive constant reports of natural disasters, worldwide theorist attacks, and moral decline. It is perplexing to see so many natural disasters, floods, famines, earthquakes, tornados, hurricanes, and tsunamis. Why does God permit such turbulence in nature that causes so much suffering and death? Is God in control over the bad things that happen to His people or are the tragic events of this world simply blind chance happenings. Where is God in all of this, is He still in control?
In The Beginning
When this world was first created it was perfect. No violence, no hunger, no disasters, it was all good. Adam and Eve had no sickness, suffering, or death in the garden. They lived in a perfect world, without trouble of any kind. The key to understanding all suffering that has plagued humanity since that time was that Adam and Eve chose to disobey God. As the first in the human race, Adam plunged all humanity into devastation and death through his one act and our continuing disobedience. The judgments of God came to all men and women. Sickness, tragedies, and death all sprang from people's sins against God and one another; this can help us understand why tragedies happen in the world.
As a result of the sin of Adam and Eve, God pronounced a judgment on them, the serpent, and on the earth. What is described in the beginning has affected all humanity from that day forward until the day that Christ returns to this troubled world. Until that time, all humanity will live with the effect of Adam's sin, including natural disasters, personal suffering and death.
Satan told Adam and Eve that their eyes would be opened and they would definitely know good and evil, but Satan never enlarged on the consequences including suffering and death. The entire human race would be affected. Satin enticed Eve through the medium that is now common to all humanity, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the boastful pride of life. (1 John 2:16)
Why Do Bad things Happen To Good People?
God's word has much to say about tragedies, loss and suffering. In the example of Job, it was Satan that caused many disastrous things to happen to him, a righteous man of God. Although God allowed tragedies to happen to Job, He did not cause them to occur. Through misfortunes, Job gained strength and character and was blessed by God. Is it fair for us to blame God for our adversities when they are actually caused by Satan? We have a God that cares but he does holds men and women accountable for their actions.
