Mike Novotny - Why Does God Allow Evil?

November 17, 2025 | 29:5

Time of Grace teaches tough topics in an approachable and relatable way, making the Bible clear and understandable for those who need encouragement in their walks of faith and for those who don’t yet know Jesus at all.

#Evil #SpiritualGrowth #Bible #TrustGod #SeekGod #SpiritualWarfare #Overcoming #MikeNovotny

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Time Of Grace With Mike Novotny | Mike Novotny - Why Does God Allow Evil? | November 17, 2025

♪ ♪
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>> when you just look at
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The madness, and the wars,
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The madness, and the wars, and the starving children,
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And the starving children, or the tsunamis,
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Or the tsunamis, or the hurricanes,
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Or the hurricanes, and the natural disasters.
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And the natural disasters. when you compile,
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When you compile, like, all of the pain
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Like, all of the pain that humans faced,
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This passion and belief in god,
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This passion and belief in god, this love and trust in him
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This love and trust in him is sometimes hard to hold on to.
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Is sometimes hard to hold on to. but you know what
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But you know what the real problem is?
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The real problem is? the real problem is god.
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The real problem is god. in the bible, god claims three
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In the bible, god claims three things about his own character
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Things about his own character that actually make all
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That actually make all of that pain and suffering
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Of that pain and suffering incredibly problematic.
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Incredibly problematic. if you're taking notes,
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If you're taking notes, let me tell you what god says
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Let me tell you what god says about himself in this book.
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About himself in this book. god says that he is all-knowing,
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God says that he is all-knowing, that he's all-powerful,
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That he's all-powerful, and that he's entirely good.
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And that he's entirely good. he knows all things,
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He knows all things, he can do all things,
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He can do all things, and he is good all the time.
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And he is good all the time. can you see why those
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Can you see why those three things put together
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Three things put together present a major problem for
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Present a major problem for the christian faith?
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The christian faith? i mean, if god was
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I mean, if god was just entirely good
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Just entirely good and he was all-powerful,
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And he was all-powerful, but he wasn't all-knowing,
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But he wasn't all-knowing, well, then we could say,
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Well, then we could say, "well, god didn't know about
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"well, god didn't know about the abuse i suffered as a kid.
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The abuse i suffered as a kid. god didn't know that
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God didn't know that my marriage was falling apart.
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My marriage was falling apart. god didn't know how exhausted
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God didn't know how exhausted i was with the chemo,
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I was with the chemo, and the cancer,
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And the cancer, and the sickness.
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And the sickness. if he would have known,
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If he would have known, he would have used his power
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He would have used his power and his goodness to help,
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And his goodness to help, but he didn't know.
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But he didn't know. that would be
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That would be an easy out for god."
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An easy out for god." but the bible says that god
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But the bible says that god actually does know, he did know.
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Actually does know, he did know. he's totally aware
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He's totally aware of every bit of suffering
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Of every bit of suffering you've been through,
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You've been through, and yet, he for some reason
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And yet, he for some reason didn't use his almighty power
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Didn't use his almighty power and his goodness to change it.
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And his goodness to change it. or maybe if god was
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Or maybe if god was all-knowing and entirely good,
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All-knowing and entirely good, but he wasn't all-powerful,
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But he wasn't all-powerful, we couldn't get mad at him.
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We couldn't get mad at him. maybe god knew about what
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Maybe god knew about what you were going through
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You were going through and he loved you.
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And he loved you. he was compassionate
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He was compassionate and sympathetic,
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And sympathetic, but he just didn't
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But he just didn't have the power to fix it.
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Have the power to fix it. he's like the best friend
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He's like the best friend who feels for you,
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Who feels for you, and just wishes they
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And just wishes they could change things.
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Could change things. the fact is, if god spoke
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The fact is, if god spoke and the universe existed,
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And the universe existed, fixing your problem would
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Fixing your problem would be so simple for him.
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Be so simple for him. so, he doesn't just
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So, he doesn't just know about our pain,
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Know about our pain, he could change it at any time.
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He could change it at any time. and if god was
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And if god was all-knowing and all-powerful,
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All-knowing and all-powerful, but never claimed to be good,
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But never claimed to be good, never claimed to love you,
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Never claimed to love you, never claimed to care,
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Never claimed to care, well, then he would just be
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Well, then he would just be doing what you would expect,
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Doing what you would expect, keeping his distance
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Keeping his distance from fixing your problems.
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From fixing your problems. do you see when god in the bible
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Do you see when god in the bible claims that he knows
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Claims that he knows about all of it,
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About all of it, he can always change it,
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He can always change it, and yet at the same time
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And yet at the same time he claims to be the most loving,
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He claims to be the most loving, patient, compassionate,
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Patient, compassionate, empathetic, good, powerful,
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Empathetic, good, powerful, trustworthy person
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Trustworthy person in the universe.
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In the universe. that's when hands start to raise
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That's when hands start to raise and people say, "i object.
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And people say, "i object. how can that be?
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How can that be? if i was god
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If i was god and i saw this happening,
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And i saw this happening, i'd push the button.
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I'd push the button. i'd flip the lever.
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I'd flip the lever. i would use my almighty
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I would use my almighty power to fix it.
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Power to fix it. how could a god like that
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How could a god like that exist in a world like this?"
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Exist in a world like this?" now, that is the simple tension
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Now, that is the simple tension that is at the heart of so many
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That is at the heart of so many people's atheistic, agnostic,
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People's atheistic, agnostic, and unbelieving world views.
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And unbelieving world views. "just doesn't make sense.
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"just doesn't make sense. how can there be a good god
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How can there be a good god in a world where there's
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In a world where there's so many bad things?
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So many bad things? how can bad things
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How can bad things happen to good people?"
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Happen to good people?" sometimes, why do worse things
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Sometimes, why do worse things happen to relatively
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Happen to relatively better people?
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Better people? and people get stuck with that
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And people get stuck with that tension and they find it
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Tension and they find it hard to trust in god,
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Hard to trust in god, or believe in god,
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Or believe in god, or want to be religious
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Or want to be religious for any amount of time.
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For any amount of time. couple sundays ago
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Couple sundays ago we took all the prayer requests
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We took all the prayer requests that were submitted at
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That were submitted at our church from just
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Our church from just one sunday,
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One sunday, from just our congregation
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From just our congregation and the requests were one, two,
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And the requests were one, two, three, four, plus pages long.
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Three, four, plus pages long. the funerals,
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The funerals, and the struggles,
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And the struggles, the adultery, and divorce,
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The adultery, and divorce, do you know where
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Do you know where all these came from?
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All these came from? from people who don't
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From people who don't object to jesus.
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Object to jesus. i didn't copy and paste
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I didn't copy and paste this off of, like,
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This off of, like, the former christian website.
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The former christian website. i didn't interview people
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I didn't interview people who are totally done with
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Who are totally done with religion and the bible.
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Religion and the bible. these came from some of the most
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These came from some of the most faithful, passionate, religious,
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Faithful, passionate, religious, jesus-loving people, which makes
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Jesus-loving people, which makes you think that maybe pain in
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You think that maybe pain in itself isn't the problem.
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Itself isn't the problem. let's put it another way.
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Let's put it another way. there's someone,
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There's someone, probably someone in
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Probably someone in this church right now,
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This church right now, likely someone sitting in your
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Likely someone sitting in your very row in church right now,
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Very row in church right now, who's gone through
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Who's gone through the same thing
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The same thing that you've gone through,
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That you've gone through, and yet, they didn't doubt god,
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And yet, they didn't doubt god, and they didn't deny god,
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And they didn't deny god, and they didn't give up on god.
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And they didn't give up on god. in fact, some of them would say,
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In fact, some of them would say, "it actually makes me
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"it actually makes me appreciate god,
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Appreciate god, and trust in god,
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And trust in god, and lean on god even more."
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And lean on god even more." you following my logic?
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You following my logic? it's not the thing itself that
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It's not the thing itself that is the objection to jesus,
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Is the objection to jesus, it's the way you think
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It's the way you think about the thing.
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About the thing. you see, every one of us,
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You see, every one of us, whether you're
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Whether you're a christian or not,
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A christian or not, passionate or struggling,
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Passionate or struggling, every one of us has,
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Every one of us has, what i want to call
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What i want to call a theology of suffering.
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A theology of suffering. a theology is like the way you
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A theology is like the way you think about god and suffering.
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Think about god and suffering. all of us kind of have in our
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All of us kind of have in our mind this little scale based on
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Mind this little scale based on intensity and duration that
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Intensity and duration that we'll believe in god
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We'll believe in god and trust in god, you know,
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And trust in god, you know, up to a certain intensity
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Up to a certain intensity of pain and for a certain
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Of pain and for a certain duration of pain.
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Duration of pain. but for a lot of people,
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But for a lot of people, once the overall suffering,
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Once the overall suffering, like, passes the threshold,
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Like, passes the threshold, or once pain becomes chronic
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Or once pain becomes chronic and the surgery doesn't fix it,
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And the surgery doesn't fix it, and the doctors are
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And the doctors are out of options,
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Out of options, the family doesn't get fixed.
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The family doesn't get fixed. for most people,
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For most people, there's some theology
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There's some theology they never really put
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They never really put into words that,
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Into words that, "i will love god until here,"
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"i will love god until here," or, "as long as that."
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Or, "as long as that." the existence of pain
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The existence of pain isn't the real problem
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Isn't the real problem to christian faith,
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To christian faith, it's your view of it.
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It's your view of it. can you trust god when
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Can you trust god when it gets to be like this,
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It gets to be like this, when it lasts like this?
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When it lasts like this? when you get to that spot in
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When you get to that spot in your life where you can say,
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Your life where you can say, like one man did years ago,
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Like one man did years ago, if god gives or if he takes,
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If god gives or if he takes, either way his name be praised.
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Either way his name be praised. today, as you and i ponder our
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Today, as you and i ponder our personal theology of suffering,
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Personal theology of suffering, i want to give to you some
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I want to give to you some of the best reasons that
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Of the best reasons that christians over the centuries
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Christians over the centuries and millennia have turned
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And millennia have turned to you to believe in god.
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To you to believe in god. now, i so wish that we had
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Now, i so wish that we had two hours for this sermon.
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Two hours for this sermon. there are a lot of good,
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There are a lot of good, logical, compelling reasons
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Logical, compelling reasons to hold on jesus
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To hold on jesus when you're suffering.
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When you're suffering. i was trying to convince myself
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I was trying to convince myself i'm about to have knee surgery
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I'm about to have knee surgery in two days, so i'm going
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In two days, so i'm going to have a couple sundays off.
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To have a couple sundays off. can i bank all of my sermon
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Can i bank all of my sermon minutes from the next sundays
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Minutes from the next sundays and just handle them now?
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And just handle them now? i'm going to interpret
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I'm going to interpret your laughter as a, "no,"
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Your laughter as a, "no," so i'm going to keep it
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So i'm going to keep it to the regular length.
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To the regular length. but i just wish i had time
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But i just wish i had time to tell you things like,
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To tell you things like, "god didn't create the world
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"god didn't create the world with pain."
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With pain." right?
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Right? in the beginning,
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In the beginning, what he made was very good.
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What he made was very good. it was actually human free will
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It was actually human free will that messed it all up.
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That messed it all up. so, if you're going to be
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So, if you're going to be mad at sickness, suffering,
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Mad at sickness, suffering, death, or trauma,
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Death, or trauma, be mad at adam,
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Be mad at adam, eve, and the enemy,
00:07:06.716 --> 00:07:07.884
Eve, and the enemy, not the one who created
00:07:07.950 --> 00:07:08.618
Not the one who created all things good, or --
00:07:08.684 --> 00:07:09.619
All things good, or -- i wish i had
00:07:09.685 --> 00:07:10.653
I wish i had 20 minutes to tell you,
00:07:10.720 --> 00:07:11.654
20 minutes to tell you, why would you get mad at
00:07:11.721 --> 00:07:12.588
Why would you get mad at the god who's going to fix it,
00:07:12.655 --> 00:07:15.091
The god who's going to fix it, the god who promised?
00:07:15.157 --> 00:07:16.492
The god who promised? like, there's an
00:07:16.559 --> 00:07:17.193
Like, there's an ultimate answer.
00:07:17.260 --> 00:07:17.727
Ultimate answer. there's a new earth.
00:07:17.793 --> 00:07:18.528
There's a new earth. there's a heaven and there's no
00:07:18.594 --> 00:07:19.829
There's a heaven and there's no more suffering, or triggers,
00:07:19.896 --> 00:07:21.497
More suffering, or triggers, or trauma, anxiety, depression,
00:07:21.564 --> 00:07:23.065
Or trauma, anxiety, depression, mourning, death, or pain.
00:07:23.132 --> 00:07:24.634
Mourning, death, or pain. why would you give up on
00:07:24.700 --> 00:07:25.401
Why would you give up on the god who's eventually going
00:07:25.468 --> 00:07:26.836
The god who's eventually going to give you the solution?
00:07:26.903 --> 00:07:28.137
To give you the solution? or, why would you get mad
00:07:28.204 --> 00:07:29.539
Or, why would you get mad at the god who
00:07:29.605 --> 00:07:30.239
At the god who is the most faithful,
00:07:30.306 --> 00:07:31.073
Is the most faithful, reliable thing in your life
00:07:31.140 --> 00:07:32.141
Reliable thing in your life when health comes and goes,
00:07:32.208 --> 00:07:34.076
When health comes and goes, when family is strong
00:07:34.143 --> 00:07:35.144
When family is strong or she wants a separation?
00:07:35.211 --> 00:07:37.079
Or she wants a separation? like, god is just unchanging
00:07:37.146 --> 00:07:38.681
Like, god is just unchanging and he never fails.
00:07:38.748 --> 00:07:39.515
And he never fails. like, whether you look back,
00:07:39.582 --> 00:07:41.183
Like, whether you look back, or forward, or right now
00:07:41.250 --> 00:07:41.951
Or forward, or right now into the presence of god,
00:07:42.018 --> 00:07:43.052
Into the presence of god, there's so many good reasons
00:07:43.119 --> 00:07:45.187
There's so many good reasons to hold on to trust
00:07:45.254 --> 00:07:45.988
To hold on to trust and faith in god.
00:07:46.055 --> 00:07:49.659
And faith in god. but i ain't got
00:07:49.725 --> 00:07:50.159
But i ain't got time for all that.
00:07:50.226 --> 00:07:52.395
Time for all that. so, today, i just want to give
00:07:52.461 --> 00:07:53.262
So, today, i just want to give you my top three reasons
00:07:53.329 --> 00:07:54.564
You my top three reasons that even when life is hard,
00:07:54.630 --> 00:07:57.733
That even when life is hard, even when things fall apart,
00:07:57.800 --> 00:07:59.335
Even when things fall apart, even when we pass
00:07:59.402 --> 00:08:00.570
Even when we pass the threshold of pain,
00:08:00.636 --> 00:08:02.171
The threshold of pain, we still can hold on to our
00:08:02.238 --> 00:08:04.140
We still can hold on to our trust and our love in god.
00:08:04.206 --> 00:08:07.743
Trust and our love in god. so, i hope your brain
00:08:07.810 --> 00:08:08.878
So, i hope your brain is functioning today.
00:08:08.945 --> 00:08:09.946
Is functioning today. we're going to move fast.
00:08:10.012 --> 00:08:10.846
We're going to move fast. here are three reasons,
00:08:10.913 --> 00:08:11.714
Here are three reasons, three answers, i printed
00:08:11.781 --> 00:08:13.249
Three answers, i printed two of them in your programs
00:08:13.316 --> 00:08:14.317
Two of them in your programs and one i'm going to give you
00:08:14.383 --> 00:08:15.685
And one i'm going to give you as a bonus to believe in god
00:08:15.751 --> 00:08:17.353
As a bonus to believe in god when life hurts.
00:08:17.420 --> 00:08:19.522
When life hurts. all right.
00:08:19.589 --> 00:08:19.989
All right. grab your pens.
00:08:20.056 --> 00:08:20.523
Grab your pens. here's the first one.
00:08:20.590 --> 00:08:21.324
Here's the first one. the first reason you should
00:08:21.390 --> 00:08:22.258
The first reason you should believe in god when life
00:08:22.325 --> 00:08:23.626
Believe in god when life is hard is the principle
00:08:23.693 --> 00:08:24.727
Is hard is the principle of the greater good.
00:08:24.794 --> 00:08:29.899
Of the greater good. the principle
00:08:29.966 --> 00:08:30.533
The principle of the greater good
00:08:30.600 --> 00:08:31.133
Of the greater good basically states that you
00:08:31.200 --> 00:08:32.168
Basically states that you are actually totally okay with
00:08:32.234 --> 00:08:34.470
Are actually totally okay with pain as long as it leads
00:08:34.537 --> 00:08:35.638
Pain as long as it leads to a greater good.
00:08:35.705 --> 00:08:38.240
To a greater good. that you don't get bitter,
00:08:38.307 --> 00:08:39.041
That you don't get bitter, and even if you wince
00:08:39.108 --> 00:08:40.610
And even if you wince and it's difficult,
00:08:40.676 --> 00:08:42.745
And it's difficult, you don't turn on someone
00:08:42.812 --> 00:08:43.913
You don't turn on someone or something as long as
00:08:43.980 --> 00:08:45.081
Or something as long as you know in your head
00:08:45.147 --> 00:08:45.982
You know in your head and in your heart that
00:08:46.048 --> 00:08:47.049
And in your heart that it's leading to something
00:08:47.116 --> 00:08:47.717
It's leading to something better than before.
00:08:47.783 --> 00:08:50.052
Better than before. for example, how many of you
00:08:50.119 --> 00:08:50.820
For example, how many of you work out or run?
00:08:50.886 --> 00:08:51.587
Work out or run? how many of you go to gym?
00:08:51.654 --> 00:08:53.556
How many of you go to gym? oh, there's not many hands
00:08:53.623 --> 00:08:54.624
Oh, there's not many hands that go up.
00:08:54.690 --> 00:08:55.091
That go up. all right, we all have
00:08:55.157 --> 00:08:55.725
All right, we all have something to work on.
00:08:55.791 --> 00:08:56.325
Something to work on. my wife has this really
00:08:56.392 --> 00:08:57.159
My wife has this really amazing gym that, like,
00:08:57.226 --> 00:08:58.594
Amazing gym that, like, pushes her really hard
00:08:58.661 --> 00:08:59.462
Pushes her really hard like five-ish days a week.
00:08:59.528 --> 00:09:01.397
Like five-ish days a week. i'm convinced that my wife, kim,
00:09:01.464 --> 00:09:02.932
I'm convinced that my wife, kim, spends about 8% of her life
00:09:02.999 --> 00:09:04.333
Spends about 8% of her life groaning because it was
00:09:04.400 --> 00:09:05.601
Groaning because it was leg day in the past 48 hours.
00:09:05.668 --> 00:09:07.737
Leg day in the past 48 hours. now, is she bitter at the gym?
00:09:07.803 --> 00:09:10.973
Now, is she bitter at the gym? no, she actually loves it.
00:09:11.040 --> 00:09:13.009
No, she actually loves it. why would she lo --
00:09:13.075 --> 00:09:13.809
Why would she lo -- why would she love
00:09:13.876 --> 00:09:14.543
Why would she love something that puts --
00:09:14.610 --> 00:09:15.344
Something that puts -- why would she pay money
00:09:15.411 --> 00:09:16.212
Why would she pay money to be put through pain?
00:09:16.278 --> 00:09:19.515
To be put through pain? the answer that you know
00:09:19.582 --> 00:09:20.249
The answer that you know is the principle
00:09:20.316 --> 00:09:21.283
Is the principle of the greater good.
00:09:21.350 --> 00:09:21.917
Of the greater good. because a little pain now
00:09:21.984 --> 00:09:23.152
Because a little pain now is going to give me a stronger,
00:09:23.219 --> 00:09:24.153
Is going to give me a stronger, healthier, better body for years
00:09:24.220 --> 00:09:26.288
Healthier, better body for years if not decades to come.
00:09:26.355 --> 00:09:28.891
If not decades to come. or, think of a surgery,
00:09:28.958 --> 00:09:29.759
Or, think of a surgery, if you've ever been one of --
00:09:29.825 --> 00:09:30.693
If you've ever been one of -- through one of those before.
00:09:30.760 --> 00:09:31.527
Through one of those before. i just got a bill for
00:09:31.594 --> 00:09:32.561
I just got a bill for my upcoming acl surgery,
00:09:32.628 --> 00:09:34.130
My upcoming acl surgery, holy cow.
00:09:34.196 --> 00:09:35.064
Holy cow. i'm about to let a man
00:09:35.131 --> 00:09:36.699
I'm about to let a man i've met once take a knife
00:09:36.766 --> 00:09:39.035
I've met once take a knife and cut open my body.
00:09:39.101 --> 00:09:40.836
And cut open my body. why would i do that?
00:09:40.903 --> 00:09:41.537
Why would i do that? friends have told me,
00:09:41.604 --> 00:09:42.405
Friends have told me, "it's going to be terrible.
00:09:42.471 --> 00:09:43.272
"it's going to be terrible. you're not going to sleep.
00:09:43.339 --> 00:09:44.373
You're not going to sleep. the pain is horr," --
00:09:44.440 --> 00:09:45.408
The pain is horr," -- like, why would i choose it?
00:09:45.474 --> 00:09:48.477
Like, why would i choose it? simple.
00:09:48.544 --> 00:09:49.078
Simple. it's the principle
00:09:49.145 --> 00:09:49.578
It's the principle of the greater good because
00:09:49.645 --> 00:09:50.579
Of the greater good because i'm right here now,
00:09:50.646 --> 00:09:51.414
I'm right here now, and even though
00:09:51.480 --> 00:09:51.947
And even though it's going to get worse,
00:09:52.014 --> 00:09:53.449
It's going to get worse, i hope and i pray
00:09:53.516 --> 00:09:54.083
I hope and i pray that after the recovery
00:09:54.150 --> 00:09:54.684
That after the recovery it gets better than
00:09:54.750 --> 00:09:55.985
It gets better than where i am right now.
00:09:56.052 --> 00:09:57.186
Where i am right now. how many of you have
00:09:57.253 --> 00:09:57.820
How many of you have ever had a baby before?
00:09:57.887 --> 00:09:58.988
Ever had a baby before? hands nice and high.
00:09:59.055 --> 00:10:00.589
Hands nice and high. yes.
00:10:00.656 --> 00:10:01.457
Yes. why did you do that?
00:10:01.524 --> 00:10:02.792
[laughter]
00:10:03.125 --> 00:10:03.693
Did no one tell you?
00:10:05.428 --> 00:10:07.897
Did no one tell you? the morning sickness.
00:10:07.963 --> 00:10:08.731
The morning sickness. i know women who, like,
00:10:08.798 --> 00:10:09.899
I know women who, like, have thrown up multiple times
00:10:09.965 --> 00:10:11.000
Have thrown up multiple times a day for weeks,
00:10:11.067 --> 00:10:11.934
A day for weeks, and like the labor pains,
00:10:12.001 --> 00:10:13.502
And like the labor pains, 19 hours of pushing,
00:10:13.569 --> 00:10:15.104
19 hours of pushing, and panting, and sweating,
00:10:15.171 --> 00:10:16.839
And panting, and sweating, and you don't sleep forever.
00:10:16.906 --> 00:10:18.107
And you don't sleep forever. you're like a zombie for
00:10:18.174 --> 00:10:18.908
You're like a zombie for the first two years
00:10:18.974 --> 00:10:19.608
The first two years of your life.
00:10:19.675 --> 00:10:20.443
Of your life. and they cry
00:10:20.509 --> 00:10:20.810
And they cry and the diapers, like,
00:10:20.876 --> 00:10:21.477
And the diapers, like, did no one tell you
00:10:21.544 --> 00:10:22.445
Did no one tell you about those things?
00:10:22.511 --> 00:10:23.312
About those things? i bet they did, but they
00:10:23.379 --> 00:10:26.048
I bet they did, but they also told you that
00:10:26.115 --> 00:10:26.716
Also told you that having a son or a daughter,
00:10:26.782 --> 00:10:28.751
Having a son or a daughter, despite all the inconveniences
00:10:28.818 --> 00:10:30.052
Despite all the inconveniences and suffering actually
00:10:30.119 --> 00:10:30.953
And suffering actually leads to a greater good,
00:10:31.020 --> 00:10:32.788
Leads to a greater good, a greater joy, a greater family.
00:10:32.855 --> 00:10:34.523
A greater joy, a greater family. so, the fact is you are not
00:10:34.590 --> 00:10:36.125
So, the fact is you are not inherently against pain.
00:10:36.192 --> 00:10:37.560
Inherently against pain. what you're against in your
00:10:37.626 --> 00:10:38.661
What you're against in your heart is pointless pain.
00:10:38.728 --> 00:10:41.464
Heart is pointless pain. and if the pain has a point,
00:10:41.530 --> 00:10:42.598
And if the pain has a point, if you actually believe that,
00:10:42.665 --> 00:10:43.466
If you actually believe that, you can get through, like,
00:10:43.532 --> 00:10:44.600
You can get through, like, labor pains in life
00:10:44.667 --> 00:10:46.535
Labor pains in life if there's some greater plan.
00:10:46.602 --> 00:10:47.703
If there's some greater plan. so, here's my point,
00:10:47.770 --> 00:10:50.139
So, here's my point, is it possible that
00:10:50.206 --> 00:10:50.706
Is it possible that the stuff that you and i
00:10:50.773 --> 00:10:51.474
The stuff that you and i go through in life,
00:10:51.540 --> 00:10:54.009
Go through in life, is it possible that
00:10:54.076 --> 00:10:54.610
Is it possible that god is always working
00:10:54.677 --> 00:10:55.444
God is always working for a greater good?
00:10:55.511 --> 00:10:59.882
For a greater good? is it possible that god,
00:10:59.949 --> 00:11:00.816
Is it possible that god, if he's all-knowing
00:11:00.883 --> 00:11:01.684
If he's all-knowing and all-powerful,
00:11:01.751 --> 00:11:04.253
And all-powerful, actually knows things about
00:11:04.320 --> 00:11:05.755
Actually knows things about what this pain will produce
00:11:05.821 --> 00:11:06.856
What this pain will produce in our life and other
00:11:06.922 --> 00:11:07.957
In our life and other people's lives that we can't
00:11:08.023 --> 00:11:09.291
See from our human perspective?"
00:11:09.391 --> 00:11:12.528
See from our human perspective?" there's a really famous promise
00:11:12.595 --> 00:11:13.829
There's a really famous promise in the bible, romans 8,
00:11:13.896 --> 00:11:16.098
In the bible, romans 8, some of you know these words.
00:11:16.165 --> 00:11:17.833
Some of you know these words. the apostle paul said,
00:11:17.900 --> 00:11:18.601
The apostle paul said, "and we know that in
00:11:18.667 --> 00:11:19.902
"and we know that in all things," all the things,
00:11:19.969 --> 00:11:22.404
All things," all the things, the best things
00:11:22.471 --> 00:11:23.139
The best things and the worst things,
00:11:23.205 --> 00:11:23.706
And the worst things, "in all things god works,"
00:11:23.773 --> 00:11:26.342
"in all things god works," say these three words with me,
00:11:26.408 --> 00:11:27.777
Say these three words with me, "for the good of those
00:11:27.843 --> 00:11:30.146
"for the good of those who love him,
00:11:30.212 --> 00:11:30.713
Who love him, who have been called
00:11:30.780 --> 00:11:31.313
Who have been called according to his purpose."
00:11:31.380 --> 00:11:32.414
According to his purpose." this is the promise of god,
00:11:32.481 --> 00:11:34.416
This is the promise of god, the christians who believe
00:11:34.483 --> 00:11:35.351
The bible believe that
00:11:35.451 --> 00:11:36.552
The bible believe that there's always a plan,
00:11:36.619 --> 00:11:38.154
There's always a plan, there's always a purpose,
00:11:38.220 --> 00:11:39.655
There's always a purpose, that nothing is pointless.
00:11:39.722 --> 00:11:41.357
That nothing is pointless. we might not see it,
00:11:41.423 --> 00:11:42.591
We might not see it, we can't figure it out
00:11:42.658 --> 00:11:43.559
We can't figure it out in the moment,
00:11:43.626 --> 00:11:45.060
In the moment, but god has made us
00:11:45.127 --> 00:11:45.761
But god has made us a promise and we know it,
00:11:45.828 --> 00:11:46.662
A promise and we know it, and we believe it
00:11:46.729 --> 00:11:47.329
And we believe it that in all things
00:11:47.396 --> 00:11:48.464
That in all things god words for the good.
00:11:48.531 --> 00:11:52.067
God words for the good. now, if you've been through
00:11:52.134 --> 00:11:52.768
Now, if you've been through substantial pain, you might say,
00:11:52.835 --> 00:11:54.036
Substantial pain, you might say, "woah, okay.
00:11:54.103 --> 00:11:56.672
"woah, okay. come on, pastor.
00:11:56.739 --> 00:11:59.842
Come on, pastor. like, i've been on medication
00:11:59.909 --> 00:12:00.676
Like, i've been on medication for a decade trying to figure
00:12:00.743 --> 00:12:02.511
For a decade trying to figure out the thoughts in my head.
00:12:02.578 --> 00:12:04.180
Out the thoughts in my head. how could that
00:12:04.246 --> 00:12:05.881
How could that possibly be for the good?"
00:12:05.948 --> 00:12:08.884
Possibly be for the good?" we wanted a baby so badly,
00:12:08.951 --> 00:12:11.587
We wanted a baby so badly, all i just wanted to have
00:12:11.654 --> 00:12:12.555
All i just wanted to have was a happy family then,
00:12:12.621 --> 00:12:14.323
Was a happy family then, how could that be for good?
00:12:14.390 --> 00:12:18.027
How could that be for good? how is the accident --
00:12:18.093 --> 00:12:18.694
How is the accident -- how is losing my father
00:12:18.761 --> 00:12:20.362
How is losing my father when i'm three years old?
00:12:20.429 --> 00:12:21.397
When i'm three years old? how was my parents divorce?
00:12:21.463 --> 00:12:23.232
How was my parents divorce? how was the trauma that
00:12:23.299 --> 00:12:24.900
How was the trauma that i've been through,
00:12:24.967 --> 00:12:25.467
I've been through, how could that
00:12:25.534 --> 00:12:26.101
How could that possibly be good?"
00:12:26.168 --> 00:12:29.138
Possibly be good?" that's not like a hard workout
00:12:29.205 --> 00:12:30.139
That's not like a hard workout at the gym that makes you
00:12:30.206 --> 00:12:31.407
At the gym that makes you stronger down the road.
00:12:31.473 --> 00:12:32.308
Stronger down the road. i mean, this is bad.
00:12:32.374 --> 00:12:35.411
I mean, this is bad. this is traumatic.
00:12:35.477 --> 00:12:36.178
This is traumatic. these are the things
00:12:36.245 --> 00:12:36.812
These are the things that i can't escape.
00:12:36.879 --> 00:12:37.613
That i can't escape. how could that be for the good?
00:12:37.680 --> 00:12:39.081
How could that be for the good? here's my answer.
00:12:39.148 --> 00:12:41.717
Here's my answer. i don't know,
00:12:41.784 --> 00:12:45.554
I don't know, but neither do you.
00:12:45.621 --> 00:12:50.693
But neither do you. would you just be humble enough
00:12:50.759 --> 00:12:51.794
Would you just be humble enough today to admit that you know
00:12:51.861 --> 00:12:54.797
Today to admit that you know so little about so much
00:12:54.864 --> 00:12:56.999
So little about so much compared to god?
00:12:57.066 --> 00:13:00.703
First of all,
00:13:00.803 --> 00:13:01.203
First of all, from the prophet isaiah,
00:13:01.270 --> 00:13:01.804
From the prophet isaiah, the old testament,
00:13:01.871 --> 00:13:02.438
The old testament, isaiah 57, it says,
00:13:02.504 --> 00:13:03.639
Isaiah 57, it says, "the righteous perish,"
00:13:03.706 --> 00:13:06.275
"the righteous perish," like, good people die,
00:13:06.342 --> 00:13:08.844
Like, good people die, "and no one takes it to heart."
00:13:08.911 --> 00:13:10.246
"and no one takes it to heart." like, no one's thinking about
00:13:10.312 --> 00:13:11.614
Like, no one's thinking about what god is thinking.
00:13:11.680 --> 00:13:12.648
What god is thinking. "the devout are taken away,"
00:13:12.715 --> 00:13:14.149
"the devout are taken away," not the devious,
00:13:14.216 --> 00:13:15.217
Not the devious, diabolical ones,
00:13:15.284 --> 00:13:16.218
Diabolical ones, "the devout," passionate,
00:13:16.285 --> 00:13:17.253
"the devout," passionate, "people for god,
00:13:17.319 --> 00:13:17.953
"people for god, they're taken away,
00:13:18.020 --> 00:13:19.121
They're taken away, and no one understand this,"
00:13:19.188 --> 00:13:21.891
And no one understand this," here's the reason,
00:13:21.957 --> 00:13:22.391
Here's the reason, "that the righteous
00:13:22.458 --> 00:13:23.158
"that the righteous are taken away to be
00:13:23.225 --> 00:13:23.959
Are taken away to be spared from evil."
00:13:24.026 --> 00:13:28.831
See, what often happens
00:13:28.931 --> 00:13:29.798
See, what often happens is like life is good
00:13:29.865 --> 00:13:32.101
Is like life is good and then it goes bad,
00:13:32.167 --> 00:13:35.004
And then it goes bad, and we wonder why god
00:13:35.070 --> 00:13:36.205
And we wonder why god let this happen.
00:13:36.272 --> 00:13:38.607
Let this happen. is it possible that
00:13:38.674 --> 00:13:39.241
Is it possible that god let this happen,
00:13:39.308 --> 00:13:40.175
God let this happen, because if this
00:13:40.242 --> 00:13:40.976
Because if this wouldn't have happened,
00:13:41.043 --> 00:13:42.945
Wouldn't have happened, this would have happened?
00:13:43.012 --> 00:13:45.681
This would have happened? that the temporary pain was
00:13:45.748 --> 00:13:47.049
Sparing us from something worse.
00:13:47.149 --> 00:13:49.718
Sparing us from something worse. he said in 2 corinthians 1,
00:13:49.785 --> 00:13:50.786
He said in 2 corinthians 1, "we felt that we had received
00:13:50.853 --> 00:13:52.288
"we felt that we had received the sentence of death."
00:13:52.354 --> 00:13:54.723
The sentence of death." like, what we went
00:13:54.790 --> 00:13:55.457
Like, what we went through was bad.
00:13:55.524 --> 00:13:57.393
Through was bad. it wasn't a critique
00:13:57.459 --> 00:13:58.193
It wasn't a critique of the sermon
00:13:58.260 --> 00:13:58.761
Of the sermon in the comments section
00:13:58.827 --> 00:13:59.695
In the comments section that we thought they were
00:13:59.762 --> 00:14:00.562
That we thought they were going to kill us for our
00:14:00.629 --> 00:14:01.797
Going to kill us for our faith in jesus.
00:14:01.864 --> 00:14:04.300
Faith in jesus. why did it happen?
00:14:04.366 --> 00:14:07.136
Why did it happen? paul's belief.
00:14:07.202 --> 00:14:08.437
Paul's belief. "but this happened that we might
00:14:08.504 --> 00:14:09.939
"but this happened that we might not rely on ourselves,
00:14:10.005 --> 00:14:12.341
Not rely on ourselves, but on god."
00:14:12.408 --> 00:14:15.978
Did you know that
00:14:16.078 --> 00:14:16.545
Did you know that sometimes going through
00:14:16.612 --> 00:14:17.179
Sometimes going through bad things turns you
00:14:17.246 --> 00:14:18.213
Bad things turns you into a better person?
00:14:18.280 --> 00:14:21.483
Into a better person? did you know that sometimes
00:14:21.550 --> 00:14:22.484
Did you know that sometimes people who've never been through
00:14:22.551 --> 00:14:23.552
People who've never been through bad things can be worse people?
00:14:23.619 --> 00:14:28.123
Bad things can be worse people? i heard of a church once that
00:14:28.190 --> 00:14:29.892
I heard of a church once that won't hire anyone for, like,
00:14:29.959 --> 00:14:31.260
Won't hire anyone for, like, top-level leadership unless
00:14:31.327 --> 00:14:32.861
Top-level leadership unless they had significantly
00:14:32.928 --> 00:14:33.929
They had significantly suffered in life.
00:14:33.996 --> 00:14:37.099
Suffered in life. sometimes if everything
00:14:37.166 --> 00:14:37.900
Sometimes if everything has been easy,
00:14:37.967 --> 00:14:38.667
Has been easy, if you were born beautiful,
00:14:38.734 --> 00:14:40.102
If you were born beautiful, if you've always had money,
00:14:40.169 --> 00:14:41.270
If you've always had money, if you've never struggled,
00:14:41.337 --> 00:14:43.105
If you've never struggled, if you're inherently
00:14:43.172 --> 00:14:43.739
If you're inherently fast and smart,
00:14:43.806 --> 00:14:46.008
Fast and smart, sometimes those
00:14:46.075 --> 00:14:46.642
Sometimes those kind of people end up
00:14:46.709 --> 00:14:47.476
Kind of people end up being the kind of people
00:14:47.543 --> 00:14:49.311
Being the kind of people who are not humble,
00:14:49.378 --> 00:14:51.213
Who are not humble, who are not compassionate,
00:14:51.280 --> 00:14:53.716
Who are not compassionate, aren't patient when
00:14:53.782 --> 00:14:54.883
Aren't patient when people go through problems.
00:14:54.950 --> 00:14:56.785
People go through problems. isn't it true that sometimes
00:14:56.852 --> 00:14:57.920
Isn't it true that sometimes it's the pain and suffering
00:14:57.987 --> 00:14:58.988
It's the pain and suffering you've been through
00:14:59.054 --> 00:14:59.655
You've been through that helps you relate,
00:14:59.722 --> 00:15:01.123
That helps you relate, helps you connect,
00:15:01.190 --> 00:15:01.824
Helps you connect, gives you compassion,
00:15:01.890 --> 00:15:03.325
Gives you compassion, gives you empathy,
00:15:03.392 --> 00:15:05.361
Gives you empathy, robs you of just
00:15:05.427 --> 00:15:06.929
Robs you of just throwing out trite,
00:15:06.996 --> 00:15:07.663
Throwing out trite, shallow advice as if
00:15:07.730 --> 00:15:09.264
Shallow advice as if problems are easy to fix?
00:15:09.331 --> 00:15:11.934
Problems are easy to fix? isn't it possible that sometimes
00:15:12.001 --> 00:15:12.768
Isn't it possible that sometimes we receive a sentence of death,
00:15:12.835 --> 00:15:14.870
We receive a sentence of death, so that we don't just rely on
00:15:14.937 --> 00:15:15.804
So that we don't just rely on ourselves and become
00:15:15.871 --> 00:15:16.705
Ourselves and become self-obsessed,
00:15:16.772 --> 00:15:17.439
Self-obsessed, but instead rely on god
00:15:17.506 --> 00:15:18.974
But instead rely on god and love other people?
00:15:19.041 --> 00:15:24.079
And love other people? or, how about this one?
00:15:24.146 --> 00:15:24.847
Or, how about this one? hosea 13.
00:15:24.913 --> 00:15:25.681
Hosea 13. god was reflecting
00:15:25.748 --> 00:15:27.416
God was reflecting and lamenting what happened
00:15:27.483 --> 00:15:28.550
And lamenting what happened to old testament israel.
00:15:28.617 --> 00:15:29.651
He said this, "when i fed them,
00:15:29.752 --> 00:15:32.421
He said this, "when i fed them, they were satisfied.
00:15:32.488 --> 00:15:33.889
They were satisfied. and when they were satisfied,"
00:15:33.956 --> 00:15:35.424
They loved me and never forgot
00:15:35.524 --> 00:15:36.725
They loved me and never forgot to worship me.
00:15:36.792 --> 00:15:39.561
Nope.
00:15:39.661 --> 00:15:41.030
Nope. "when they were satisfied,
00:15:41.096 --> 00:15:41.697
"when they were satisfied, they became proud;
00:15:41.764 --> 00:15:44.199
They became proud; and then they forgot me."
00:15:44.266 --> 00:15:47.736
And then they forgot me." you've experienced this, right?
00:15:47.803 --> 00:15:49.104
Do you pray more often when life
00:15:49.204 --> 00:15:51.073
Do you pray more often when life is good or when life is bad?
00:15:51.140 --> 00:15:55.577
Is good or when life is bad? i've been a pastor for 17 years,
00:15:55.644 --> 00:15:57.746
I've been a pastor for 17 years, i'm trying to remember
00:15:57.813 --> 00:15:58.614
I'm trying to remember a single time that someone
00:15:58.680 --> 00:15:59.581
A single time that someone walked through the doors
00:15:59.648 --> 00:16:00.516
Walked through the doors of the church and said,
00:16:00.582 --> 00:16:01.216
Of the church and said, "pastor, you know what,
00:16:01.283 --> 00:16:02.051
"pastor, you know what, my life was perfect.
00:16:02.117 --> 00:16:04.119
My life was perfect. i was on my yacht.
00:16:04.186 --> 00:16:06.221
I was on my yacht. i was drinking a pina colada.
00:16:06.288 --> 00:16:07.689
I was drinking a pina colada. my kids listen the first time
00:16:07.756 --> 00:16:08.891
My kids listen the first time to everything i said.
00:16:08.957 --> 00:16:10.626
To everything i said. my beautiful wife said,
00:16:10.692 --> 00:16:11.260
My beautiful wife said, 'honey, could i give you
00:16:11.326 --> 00:16:11.927
'honey, could i give you a foot rub today?'
00:16:11.994 --> 00:16:12.461
A foot rub today?' and i thought in that moment,
00:16:12.528 --> 00:16:13.328
And i thought in that moment, 'god's been so good to me,
00:16:13.395 --> 00:16:14.396
'god's been so good to me, i should go to church.'"
00:16:14.463 --> 00:16:17.566
I should go to church.'" no, no, never.
00:16:17.633 --> 00:16:21.837
No, no, never. but can i think of a time when
00:16:21.904 --> 00:16:22.905
But can i think of a time when someone who wasn't thinking much
00:16:22.971 --> 00:16:25.107
Someone who wasn't thinking much about god they went through
00:16:25.174 --> 00:16:25.941
About god they went through something difficult,
00:16:26.008 --> 00:16:28.877
Something difficult, when the relationship
00:16:28.944 --> 00:16:30.345
When the relationship fell apart,
00:16:30.412 --> 00:16:30.779
Fell apart, when the doctor
00:16:30.846 --> 00:16:31.547
When the doctor said it's terminal,
00:16:31.613 --> 00:16:34.950
Said it's terminal, when they made a choice that
00:16:35.017 --> 00:16:35.751
When they made a choice that came with a consequence when
00:16:35.818 --> 00:16:36.585
Came with a consequence when they're sitting in a prison cell
00:16:36.652 --> 00:16:39.021
They're sitting in a prison cell after their sin?
00:16:39.088 --> 00:16:40.422
After their sin? can i think of people
00:16:40.489 --> 00:16:41.323
Can i think of people who remembered god because
00:16:41.390 --> 00:16:44.226
Who remembered god because life was hard?
00:16:44.293 --> 00:16:46.929
Life was hard? hundreds of them.
00:16:46.995 --> 00:16:50.265
Hundreds of them. is it possible that god lets us
00:16:50.332 --> 00:16:51.300
Is it possible that god lets us suffer because he doesn't
00:16:51.366 --> 00:16:53.168
Suffer because he doesn't want to lose us forever?
00:16:53.235 --> 00:16:54.837
Want to lose us forever? i've been trying to persuade you
00:16:54.903 --> 00:16:55.671
I've been trying to persuade you for the last few minutes
00:16:55.737 --> 00:16:56.538
For the last few minutes with logic.
00:16:56.605 --> 00:16:57.739
With logic. you're human,
00:16:57.806 --> 00:16:59.308
You're human, god knows more than you,
00:16:59.374 --> 00:17:00.576
God knows more than you, so maybe god's doing this,
00:17:00.642 --> 00:17:02.277
So maybe god's doing this, or this, or this.
00:17:02.344 --> 00:17:03.112
Or this, or this. maybe there's things
00:17:03.178 --> 00:17:03.846
Maybe there's things in the future that you can't
00:17:03.912 --> 00:17:04.713
In the future that you can't see that god sees.
00:17:04.780 --> 00:17:06.014
See that god sees. and maybe, you know,
00:17:06.081 --> 00:17:07.082
And maybe, you know, that makes sense up here,
00:17:07.149 --> 00:17:08.283
That makes sense up here, but maybe right here,
00:17:08.350 --> 00:17:10.953
But maybe right here, you're thinking about your pain.
00:17:11.019 --> 00:17:13.722
You're thinking about your pain. it's not good enough.
00:17:13.789 --> 00:17:17.192
It's not good enough. i recently read
00:17:17.259 --> 00:17:17.759
I recently read an interesting book called,
00:17:17.826 --> 00:17:18.360
An interesting book called, "supercommunicators."
00:17:18.427 --> 00:17:20.729
"supercommunicators." it's about the people
00:17:20.796 --> 00:17:21.363
It's about the people who are best at communication
00:17:21.430 --> 00:17:22.498
Who are best at communication at work or in relationships.
00:17:22.564 --> 00:17:24.666
At work or in relationships. and the first whole section
00:17:24.733 --> 00:17:25.567
And the first whole section of the book said that
00:17:25.634 --> 00:17:26.902
Of the book said that the best people at communication
00:17:26.969 --> 00:17:28.270
The best people at communication are always asking themselves
00:17:28.337 --> 00:17:29.905
Are always asking themselves this question,
00:17:29.972 --> 00:17:32.674
This question, "what kind
00:17:32.741 --> 00:17:33.175
"what kind of conversation is this?"
00:17:33.242 --> 00:17:38.080
Of conversation is this?" example that you spouses
00:17:38.147 --> 00:17:39.982
Example that you spouses might relate to.
00:17:40.048 --> 00:17:41.850
Might relate to. ever so often my wife comes home
00:17:41.917 --> 00:17:43.218
Ever so often my wife comes home from work after a really,
00:17:43.285 --> 00:17:44.153
From work after a really, really bad day,
00:17:44.219 --> 00:17:45.854
Really bad day, and she's telling me about all
00:17:45.921 --> 00:17:46.922
And she's telling me about all the kind of frustrating things
00:17:46.989 --> 00:17:48.290
The kind of frustrating things that happened,
00:17:48.357 --> 00:17:48.824
That happened, and i forget to ask
00:17:48.891 --> 00:17:50.459
And i forget to ask myself the question,
00:17:50.526 --> 00:17:52.461
Myself the question, "what kind of conversation
00:17:52.528 --> 00:17:53.228
"what kind of conversation is this?"
00:17:53.295 --> 00:17:55.597
Is this?" and i assume,
00:17:55.664 --> 00:17:56.365
And i assume, like many foolish husbands
00:17:56.431 --> 00:17:57.466
Like many foolish husbands before me, that this
00:17:57.533 --> 00:17:58.200
Before me, that this is a problem-solution
00:17:58.267 --> 00:17:59.801
Is a problem-solution kind of conversation.
00:17:59.868 --> 00:18:01.570
Kind of conversation. you know, "honey,
00:18:01.637 --> 00:18:02.137
You know, "honey, you tell me a problem,
00:18:02.204 --> 00:18:02.871
You tell me a problem, and yo, i'll solve it."
00:18:02.938 --> 00:18:04.840
[laughter]
00:18:05.174 --> 00:18:05.541
And i find very, very quickly
00:18:06.842 --> 00:18:07.609
And i find very, very quickly this is not one of those
00:18:07.676 --> 00:18:08.377
This is not one of those kind of conversations.
00:18:08.443 --> 00:18:09.144
Kind of conversations. this is not a fix it
00:18:09.211 --> 00:18:11.013
This is not a fix it or fix me conversation.
00:18:11.079 --> 00:18:12.181
Or fix me conversation. this is not monday, husband
00:18:12.247 --> 00:18:14.683
This is not monday, husband quarter back analyzing you,
00:18:14.750 --> 00:18:16.552
Quarter back analyzing you, "here's what you should have
00:18:16.618 --> 00:18:17.252
"here's what you should have done or done better."
00:18:17.319 --> 00:18:17.986
Done or done better." this is a,
00:18:18.053 --> 00:18:18.654
This is a, "man, i'm sorry," conversation.
00:18:18.720 --> 00:18:21.290
"man, i'm sorry," conversation. this is,
00:18:21.356 --> 00:18:21.823
This is, "that stinks," conversation.
00:18:21.890 --> 00:18:23.425
"that stinks," conversation. this is, "i would be
00:18:23.492 --> 00:18:24.293
This is, "i would be frustrated too," conversation.
00:18:24.359 --> 00:18:26.695
Frustrated too," conversation. some conversations are
00:18:26.762 --> 00:18:27.462
Some conversations are solutions for the head,
00:18:27.529 --> 00:18:28.330
Solutions for the head, and others are just
00:18:28.397 --> 00:18:29.431
And others are just connecting with the heart.
00:18:29.498 --> 00:18:33.602
Connecting with the heart. which is why i want to give you
00:18:33.669 --> 00:18:34.603
Which is why i want to give you a second answer today,
00:18:34.670 --> 00:18:35.904
A second answer today, that god in his word
00:18:35.971 --> 00:18:36.972
That god in his word does not just say,
00:18:37.039 --> 00:18:38.006
Does not just say, "well, here's what i'm doing.
00:18:38.073 --> 00:18:38.974
"well, here's what i'm doing. you can't see it,
00:18:39.041 --> 00:18:39.708
You can't see it, but you gotta trust me.
00:18:39.775 --> 00:18:40.409
But you gotta trust me. i'm god, you're not."
00:18:40.475 --> 00:18:41.777
I'm god, you're not." i would also say this,
00:18:41.843 --> 00:18:42.477
I would also say this, write this down.
00:18:42.544 --> 00:18:43.378
Write this down. the second answer to our pain
00:18:43.445 --> 00:18:44.146
The second answer to our pain is that god gets it,
00:18:44.213 --> 00:18:49.751
Is that god gets it, that god feels it.
00:18:49.818 --> 00:18:53.021
That god feels it. that the god we worship,
00:18:53.088 --> 00:18:53.789
That the god we worship, jesus, can relate to it.
00:18:53.855 --> 00:18:59.895
Jesus, can relate to it. you might not know this,
00:18:59.962 --> 00:19:00.996
You might not know this, 2,000 years ago when
00:19:01.063 --> 00:19:01.863
2,000 years ago when jesus, god himself,
00:19:01.930 --> 00:19:03.799
Jesus, god himself, came down from heaven,
00:19:03.865 --> 00:19:04.600
Came down from heaven, he didn't stay distant
00:19:04.666 --> 00:19:05.701
He didn't stay distant from the pain and suffering
00:19:05.767 --> 00:19:07.135
From the pain and suffering that you and i experience.
00:19:07.202 --> 00:19:10.038
That you and i experience. in fact, the most famous
00:19:10.105 --> 00:19:10.872
In fact, the most famous prophecy about the coming
00:19:10.939 --> 00:19:11.773
Of jesus is in isaiah 53,
00:19:11.873 --> 00:19:14.042
Of jesus is in isaiah 53, and we find these words
00:19:14.109 --> 00:19:15.377
And we find these words in verse 3 that,
00:19:15.444 --> 00:19:16.945
In verse 3 that, "he, jesus, was despised
00:19:17.012 --> 00:19:19.781
"he, jesus, was despised and rejected by mankind,
00:19:19.848 --> 00:19:22.918
And rejected by mankind, a man of suffering,
00:19:22.985 --> 00:19:25.554
A man of suffering, and familiar with pain."
00:19:25.621 --> 00:19:27.589
And familiar with pain." you know, i think
00:19:27.656 --> 00:19:28.290
You know, i think in our heads we say,
00:19:28.357 --> 00:19:30.025
"well, if i was god,
00:19:30.125 --> 00:19:30.892
"well, if i was god, i would push the button
00:19:30.959 --> 00:19:31.727
I would push the button and end all the pain.
00:19:31.793 --> 00:19:33.128
And end all the pain. i would eliminate all the evil.
00:19:33.195 --> 00:19:34.263
I would eliminate all the evil. i'd highlight it and delete it,
00:19:34.329 --> 00:19:36.164
I'd highlight it and delete it, so goodness, and joy, and peace
00:19:36.231 --> 00:19:38.200
So goodness, and joy, and peace could get the last word."
00:19:38.267 --> 00:19:39.034
Could get the last word." do you know the problem
00:19:39.101 --> 00:19:39.801
Do you know the problem though with that thinking?
00:19:39.868 --> 00:19:43.338
Though with that thinking? guess who sometimes brings pain
00:19:43.405 --> 00:19:44.773
Guess who sometimes brings pain into this world?
00:19:44.840 --> 00:19:50.379
Into this world? you.
00:19:50.445 --> 00:19:53.382
You. guess who makes
00:19:53.448 --> 00:19:54.750
Guess who makes people weep?
00:19:54.816 --> 00:19:56.251
People weep? me.
00:19:56.318 --> 00:19:57.085
Me. that we can shake
00:19:57.152 --> 00:19:57.686
That we can shake a fist at god every time
00:19:57.753 --> 00:19:58.620
A fist at god every time there's a natural disaster,
00:19:58.687 --> 00:19:59.721
There's a natural disaster, but how much of the pain
00:19:59.788 --> 00:20:01.423
But how much of the pain and suffering in this world,
00:20:01.490 --> 00:20:02.691
And suffering in this world, how much of the evil that
00:20:02.758 --> 00:20:03.492
How much of the evil that we see is pure human choice,
00:20:03.558 --> 00:20:05.594
We see is pure human choice, is impatience and selfishness,
00:20:05.661 --> 00:20:08.196
Is impatience and selfishness, trying to get my way?
00:20:08.263 --> 00:20:09.598
Trying to get my way? how many children cry,
00:20:09.665 --> 00:20:11.099
How many children cry, not because they're starving,
00:20:11.166 --> 00:20:13.201
Not because they're starving, but because mom and dad won't
00:20:13.268 --> 00:20:14.536
But because mom and dad won't give them their full attention?
00:20:14.603 --> 00:20:16.371
Give them their full attention? how many spouses run to court
00:20:16.438 --> 00:20:18.407
How many spouses run to court not because of some
00:20:18.473 --> 00:20:18.940
Not because of some natural disaster,
00:20:19.007 --> 00:20:19.775
Natural disaster, but because someone
00:20:19.841 --> 00:20:20.976
But because someone didn't keep their vow?
00:20:21.043 --> 00:20:22.644
Didn't keep their vow? how often --
00:20:22.711 --> 00:20:23.211
How often -- how much of the pain
00:20:23.278 --> 00:20:24.212
How much of the pain in this world is simply
00:20:24.279 --> 00:20:25.047
In this world is simply caused by the choices that
00:20:25.113 --> 00:20:26.348
Caused by the choices that you and i freely make?
00:20:26.415 --> 00:20:27.516
You and i freely make? if god pushed
00:20:27.582 --> 00:20:28.917
If god pushed the button to fix it,
00:20:28.984 --> 00:20:31.753
The button to fix it, he would have to condemn us,
00:20:31.820 --> 00:20:32.854
He would have to condemn us, get rid of us, be done with us.
00:20:32.921 --> 00:20:38.794
Get rid of us, be done with us. and to me this is the best
00:20:38.860 --> 00:20:41.330
And to me this is the best answer to the objection,
00:20:41.396 --> 00:20:44.499
Answer to the objection, that the jesus
00:20:44.566 --> 00:20:45.133
That the jesus who knew all of it,
00:20:45.200 --> 00:20:46.001
Who knew all of it, he knew all of you
00:20:46.068 --> 00:20:47.069
He knew all of you and all of me,
00:20:47.135 --> 00:20:47.903
And all of me, who saw the worst of it,
00:20:47.969 --> 00:20:49.404
Who saw the worst of it, and he had all
00:20:49.471 --> 00:20:50.138
And he had all the power to fix it,
00:20:50.205 --> 00:20:51.573
The power to fix it, to push the button
00:20:51.640 --> 00:20:52.274
To push the button and be done with us,
00:20:52.341 --> 00:20:53.141
And be done with us, he was so entirely good that
00:20:53.208 --> 00:20:55.977
He was so entirely good that instead of condemning us
00:20:56.044 --> 00:20:56.845
Instead of condemning us he came to save us.
00:20:56.912 --> 00:20:58.580
He came to save us. a couple months ago,
00:20:58.647 --> 00:20:59.614
A couple months ago, i was in the back
00:20:59.681 --> 00:21:00.215
I was in the back of an uber in houston, texas,
00:21:00.282 --> 00:21:02.084
Of an uber in houston, texas, and my uber driver whose name
00:21:02.150 --> 00:21:03.819
And my uber driver whose name was atequila, he asked,
00:21:03.885 --> 00:21:07.556
Was atequila, he asked, "well, what are you
00:21:07.622 --> 00:21:08.123
"well, what are you in town for?"
00:21:08.190 --> 00:21:09.858
In town for?" and i said,
00:21:09.925 --> 00:21:10.659
And i said, "to give a presentation."
00:21:10.726 --> 00:21:12.027
"to give a presentation." and he said,
00:21:12.094 --> 00:21:12.794
And he said, "a presentation on what?"
00:21:12.861 --> 00:21:13.395
"a presentation on what?" and i said, "a presentation on
00:21:13.462 --> 00:21:14.429
And i said, "a presentation on trusting god when life hurts."
00:21:14.496 --> 00:21:18.967
Trusting god when life hurts." and he immediately said, "i do.
00:21:19.034 --> 00:21:21.903
And he immediately said, "i do. i trust in god no matter what."
00:21:21.970 --> 00:21:26.108
I trust in god no matter what." and the pastor in me said,
00:21:26.174 --> 00:21:27.976
And the pastor in me said, "tell me more."
00:21:28.043 --> 00:21:30.812
"tell me more." and he told me
00:21:30.879 --> 00:21:31.313
And he told me about hurricane harvey.
00:21:31.380 --> 00:21:32.714
About hurricane harvey. do you remember
00:21:32.781 --> 00:21:33.148
Do you remember that from years ago?
00:21:33.215 --> 00:21:35.217
That from years ago? like, descended with such
00:21:35.283 --> 00:21:36.118
Like, descended with such tragedy and suffering on texas.
00:21:36.184 --> 00:21:38.787
Tragedy and suffering on texas. atequila told me that
00:21:38.854 --> 00:21:39.888
Atequila told me that the flood waters were
00:21:39.955 --> 00:21:41.156
The flood waters were rising up to the precious
00:21:41.223 --> 00:21:42.958
Rising up to the precious home that he lived in.
00:21:43.024 --> 00:21:43.658
Home that he lived in. he didn't know if his house
00:21:43.725 --> 00:21:44.860
He didn't know if his house was going to survive.
00:21:44.926 --> 00:21:45.560
Was going to survive. in fact, it was so bad,
00:21:45.627 --> 00:21:47.028
In fact, it was so bad, the situation he was in,
00:21:47.095 --> 00:21:48.029
The situation he was in, he honestly didn't know
00:21:48.096 --> 00:21:48.730
He honestly didn't know if he was going
00:21:48.797 --> 00:21:49.831
If he was going to survive the flood.
00:21:49.898 --> 00:21:50.766
To survive the flood. but he said, "in that moment,
00:21:50.832 --> 00:21:51.833
But he said, "in that moment, i said to god, 'you can take
00:21:51.900 --> 00:21:53.368
I said to god, 'you can take my house or give it back.
00:21:53.435 --> 00:21:54.870
My house or give it back. you can take my life
00:21:54.936 --> 00:21:55.837
You can take my life or give it back,
00:21:55.904 --> 00:21:56.972
Or give it back, and i trust in you.'"
00:21:57.038 --> 00:22:00.609
And i trust in you.'" and from the back
00:22:00.675 --> 00:22:01.209
And from the back of the uber i said,
00:22:01.276 --> 00:22:03.678
Of the uber i said, "tell me more about that."
00:22:03.745 --> 00:22:04.546
[laughing]
00:22:04.846 --> 00:22:06.114
I said, "hey, i know a lot
00:22:06.381 --> 00:22:07.215
I said, "hey, i know a lot of people who get mad at god
00:22:07.282 --> 00:22:09.050
Of people who get mad at god when he takes stuff away.
00:22:09.117 --> 00:22:11.119
When he takes stuff away. i know people that deny
00:22:11.186 --> 00:22:11.820
I know people that deny the existence of god
00:22:11.887 --> 00:22:13.722
The existence of god when suffering happens.
00:22:13.789 --> 00:22:14.423
When suffering happens. how did you end up seeing
00:22:14.489 --> 00:22:16.425
How did you end up seeing god like that?"
00:22:16.491 --> 00:22:17.025
God like that?" i was curious.
00:22:17.092 --> 00:22:17.559
I was curious. "how did you develop
00:22:17.626 --> 00:22:18.760
"how did you develop a theology of suffering
00:22:18.827 --> 00:22:19.961
A theology of suffering where god could take not just
00:22:20.028 --> 00:22:21.163
Where god could take not just the little things but
00:22:21.229 --> 00:22:21.897
The little things but all the things and you
00:22:21.963 --> 00:22:23.031
All the things and you would still love him?"
00:22:23.098 --> 00:22:26.501
Would still love him?" and atequila told me
00:22:26.568 --> 00:22:29.604
And atequila told me another story,
00:22:29.671 --> 00:22:30.572
Another story, when he was an interpreter
00:22:30.639 --> 00:22:31.573
When he was an interpreter in the war in afghanistan,
00:22:31.640 --> 00:22:34.109
In the war in afghanistan, and he got shot in the back.
00:22:34.176 --> 00:22:37.612
And he got shot in the back. he didn't see the bullet coming.
00:22:37.679 --> 00:22:38.647
He didn't see the bullet coming. he's just walking, and he said,
00:22:38.713 --> 00:22:40.115
He's just walking, and he said, "it felt like someone
00:22:40.182 --> 00:22:40.682
"it felt like someone put two hands on my back
00:22:40.749 --> 00:22:41.416
Put two hands on my back and shoved me to the ground."
00:22:41.483 --> 00:22:42.517
And shoved me to the ground." the bullet smashed him
00:22:42.584 --> 00:22:43.785
The bullet smashed him right between
00:22:43.852 --> 00:22:44.419
Right between the shoulder blades.
00:22:44.486 --> 00:22:45.353
The shoulder blades. his friend who was next to him
00:22:45.420 --> 00:22:46.388
His friend who was next to him looked at him with open eyes
00:22:46.455 --> 00:22:47.389
Looked at him with open eyes and said, "are you alive?"
00:22:47.456 --> 00:22:52.427
And said, "are you alive?" by the grace of god,
00:22:52.494 --> 00:22:53.028
By the grace of god, he was wearing a vest that day,
00:22:53.094 --> 00:22:56.097
He was wearing a vest that day, and the bullet that would have
00:22:56.164 --> 00:22:57.098
And the bullet that would have pierced his vital organs,
00:22:57.165 --> 00:22:58.066
Pierced his vital organs, instead stuck in the vest.
00:22:58.133 --> 00:22:59.267
Instead stuck in the vest. it saved him.
00:22:59.334 --> 00:23:03.605
It saved him. and atequila said,
00:23:03.672 --> 00:23:04.739
And atequila said, "once god saved me,
00:23:04.806 --> 00:23:07.709
"once god saved me, i knew i could trust him."
00:23:07.776 --> 00:23:12.814
I knew i could trust him." that's a theology of suffering.
00:23:12.881 --> 00:23:14.115
That's a theology of suffering. "once god saved me,
00:23:14.182 --> 00:23:16.852
"once god saved me, i knew i could trust him."
00:23:16.918 --> 00:23:20.755
I knew i could trust him." do you and i know
00:23:20.822 --> 00:23:22.157
Do you and i know why it happens, the sickness,
00:23:22.224 --> 00:23:24.960
Why it happens, the sickness, the torn ligaments,
00:23:25.026 --> 00:23:26.027
The torn ligaments, the heart problems,
00:23:26.094 --> 00:23:27.395
The heart problems, the mental health?
00:23:27.462 --> 00:23:27.896
The mental health? we do not know.
00:23:27.963 --> 00:23:28.864
We do not know. is there a greater good?
00:23:28.930 --> 00:23:30.499
Is there a greater good? for sure, there is,
00:23:30.565 --> 00:23:31.066
For sure, there is, god has promised it.
00:23:31.132 --> 00:23:32.234
God has promised it. but the reason we trust in god
00:23:32.300 --> 00:23:33.702
But the reason we trust in god is that simple statement
00:23:33.768 --> 00:23:35.270
Is that simple statement that that man made on
00:23:35.337 --> 00:23:36.671
That that man made on that uber ride that day.
00:23:36.738 --> 00:23:37.739
That uber ride that day. once god saves us,
00:23:37.806 --> 00:23:39.407
Once god saves us, we know that we can trust him.
00:23:39.474 --> 00:23:42.777
We know that we can trust him. we can trust him to be with us.
00:23:42.844 --> 00:23:43.745
We can trust him to be with us. we can trust him
00:23:43.812 --> 00:23:44.880
We can trust him to grieve with us.
00:23:44.946 --> 00:23:45.981
To grieve with us. we can trust him to use
00:23:46.047 --> 00:23:47.082
We can trust him to use his power to work out
00:23:47.148 --> 00:23:48.783
His power to work out all things for good.
00:23:48.850 --> 00:23:49.417
All things for good. object to jesus?
00:23:49.484 --> 00:23:52.087
Object to jesus? my objection to
00:23:52.153 --> 00:23:53.421
My objection to your objection is jesus.
00:23:53.488 --> 00:23:55.590
Your objection is jesus. if god saves you,
00:23:55.657 --> 00:23:57.292
If god saves you, you can trust him.
00:23:57.359 --> 00:23:59.060
You can trust him. he's good all the time,
00:23:59.127 --> 00:24:01.029
He's good all the time, and all the time god is good.
00:24:01.096 --> 00:24:07.102
And all the time god is good. let's pray.
00:24:07.168 --> 00:24:09.170
Let's pray. god, it's so easy to say this,
00:24:09.237 --> 00:24:13.208
God, it's so easy to say this, but i'm not going
00:24:13.275 --> 00:24:14.009
But i'm not going through it right now.
00:24:14.075 --> 00:24:16.811
Through it right now. a torn ligament is so small
00:24:16.878 --> 00:24:18.179
A torn ligament is so small compared to the suffering
00:24:18.246 --> 00:24:19.314
Compared to the suffering that some people are
00:24:19.381 --> 00:24:19.948
That some people are feeling in this moment.
00:24:20.015 --> 00:24:20.782
Feeling in this moment. and so, i pray that you would
00:24:20.849 --> 00:24:21.816
And so, i pray that you would give all of us faith
00:24:21.883 --> 00:24:23.685
Give all of us faith to believe these things.
00:24:23.752 --> 00:24:26.221
To believe these things. we can't see the cross like
00:24:26.288 --> 00:24:27.556
We can't see the cross like people did 2,000 years ago.
00:24:27.622 --> 00:24:29.024
People did 2,000 years ago. we can't see just this
00:24:29.090 --> 00:24:29.991
We can't see just this vivid example of your love
00:24:30.058 --> 00:24:31.359
Vivid example of your love and concern for us,
00:24:31.426 --> 00:24:32.294
And concern for us, so we need faith to believe it,
00:24:32.360 --> 00:24:33.995
So we need faith to believe it, that if you did that for us,
00:24:34.062 --> 00:24:36.197
That if you did that for us, if you saw the worst of us
00:24:36.264 --> 00:24:37.599
If you saw the worst of us and you gave us
00:24:37.666 --> 00:24:38.233
And you gave us the best that you had,
00:24:38.300 --> 00:24:39.200
The best that you had, you are worthy of all
00:24:39.267 --> 00:24:40.702
You are worthy of all of our trust.
00:24:40.769 --> 00:24:43.438
Of our trust. god, if it's true that
00:24:43.505 --> 00:24:44.239
God, if it's true that in this very moment,
00:24:44.306 --> 00:24:45.507
In this very moment, even those times when we stray
00:24:45.574 --> 00:24:46.875
Even those times when we stray and wander from you,
00:24:46.942 --> 00:24:47.542
And wander from you, that your goodness
00:24:47.609 --> 00:24:48.510
Is running after us,
00:24:48.610 --> 00:24:51.112
Then we can trust you.
00:24:51.179 --> 00:24:54.115
It's the reason
00:24:54.182 --> 00:24:54.883
That we love you.
00:24:54.950 --> 00:24:56.918
We hear your voice saying to us
00:24:56.985 --> 00:24:58.253
In the gospel that we are
00:24:58.320 --> 00:24:59.654
Forgiven despite our sins,
00:24:59.721 --> 00:25:01.189
That you've saved us from
00:25:01.256 --> 00:25:01.856
The worst thing ever.
00:25:01.923 --> 00:25:03.058
And the more we fix
00:25:03.124 --> 00:25:03.758
Our eyes on that,
00:25:03.825 --> 00:25:04.392
The more we say what that
00:25:04.459 --> 00:25:05.727
Man said, "if god saved us,
00:25:05.794 --> 00:25:07.996
Why do we not trust him?"
00:25:08.063 --> 00:25:10.231
Holy spirit, give us faith
00:25:10.298 --> 00:25:11.032
To believe such things that
00:25:11.099 --> 00:25:12.834
No matter how intense the pain
00:25:12.901 --> 00:25:13.602
Is or how long it lasts,
00:25:13.668 --> 00:25:16.705
We can say god gives
00:25:16.771 --> 00:25:18.173
And god takes,
00:25:18.239 --> 00:25:19.541
And may his name
00:25:19.608 --> 00:25:20.408
Always be praised.
00:25:20.475 --> 00:25:22.277
This is our prayer
00:25:22.344 --> 00:25:22.777
In jesus' name.
00:25:22.844 --> 00:25:24.379
And all god's people said,
00:25:24.446 --> 00:25:26.281
"amen."
00:25:26.348 --> 00:25:27.082
>> oh man,
00:25:28.650 --> 00:25:29.150
>> oh man, what an important message
00:25:29.217 --> 00:25:30.285
What an important message from pastor mike reminding us
00:25:30.352 --> 00:25:32.053
From pastor mike reminding us that god uses our pain for good,
00:25:32.120 --> 00:25:33.989
That god uses our pain for good, that jesus suffered too,
00:25:34.055 --> 00:25:35.490
That jesus suffered too, and how our struggles lead
00:25:35.557 --> 00:25:37.125
And how our struggles lead to a deeper faith.
00:25:37.192 --> 00:25:38.526
To a deeper faith. keep your faith strong by
00:25:38.593 --> 00:25:39.961
Keep your faith strong by being in god's word every day.
00:25:40.028 --> 00:25:41.896
Being in god's word every day. you can do that with
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Our new 365-day devotional,
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♪ ♪
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>> life can feel overwhelming.
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So many voices,
00:26:00.849 --> 00:26:02.150
So much chaos.
00:26:02.250 --> 00:26:04.085
And maybe you've wondered,
00:26:04.185 --> 00:26:05.587
"is there something more?"
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Of thanking you
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More people the everyday
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By calling 800-661-3311,
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Or writing us at
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Mike Novotny - Why Does God Allow Evil?

November 17, 2025 | 29:5

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