Resources by Topic: Suffering and Evil

Question from a reader: I just read your story of losing your sweet dog, Moses. I wept and wept as I read. I’m a Christian and am having such great difficulty with the suffering and death of animals everywhere. I have prayed for understanding but can’t find peace. I have begun to realize it is the curse of sin. How do I stop the pain and find peace?

In If God Is Good, I share a story that John Stott tells in his book The Cross of Christ about billions of people seated on a great plain before God’s throne.

When it is so common to ask “Where is God When Evil Happens?” I can’t think of a better way to end 2012 than to post this from John Piper, who asks “Where Was God in All the Goodness of 2012?”

Our birthright does not include pain-free living. Only those who understand that this world languishes under a curse will marvel at its beauties despite that curse. 

Nanci said to me, “Given what Scripture tells us about the evil of the human heart, you’d think that there would be thousands of Jack the Rippers in every city.” Her statement stopped me in my tracks. 

I can mourn with and pray for the families in Connecticut who lost their children (and in a few cases their spouses) in the school shooting. I certainly cannot offer any definitive explanation. 

When I was seventeen years old and had known Christ for less than two years, I experienced what I believe was a mir­acle. 

In October of 2012 Randy Alcorn was interviewed by Dr. John Akers at The Cove in Asheville, NC. In this clip, Randy emphasizes the need to recognize that our peak in this life is not our real peak. Our best is yet to come. See Randy's book If God Is Good for more information. 

In October of 2012 Randy Alcorn was interviewed by Dr. John Akers at The Cove in Asheville, NC. John asks Randy to what extent we can attribute our sin to the influence of the Enemy. See Randy's book If God Is Good for more information.

In October of 2012 Randy Alcorn was interviewed by Dr. John Akers at The Cove in Asheville, NC. Randy offers some thoughts on how to comfort and encourage those who suffer, emphasizing the need to know when to merely grieve with them and when to share truth. See Randy's book If God Is Good for more information. 

In October of 2012 Randy Alcorn was interviewed by Dr. John Akers at The Cove in Asheville, NC. Randy discusses how we can better anticipate suffering before it comes. See Randy's book If God Is Good for more information. 

The Problem of Suffering from Randy Alcorn - EPM on Vimeo. In October of 2012 Randy Alcorn was interviewed by Dr. John Akers at The Cove in Asheville, NC.In this clip, Randy explains why the problem of suffering is such an important question that Christians need to understand. See Randy's book If God Is Good for more information. 

In October of 2012 Randy Alcorn was interviewed by Dr. John Akers at The Cove in Asheville, NC. In this clip, Randy emphasizes that the Bible allows for deep sorrow and real grief. See Randy's book If God Is Good for more information. 

In October of 2012 Randy Alcorn was interviewed by Dr. John Akers at The Cove in Asheville, NC. Did Jesus' cry on the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" demonstrate that Jesus saw suffering as pointless? Randy answers this question and identifies the worst suffering ever experienced by anyone ever. See Randy's book If God Is Good for more information.