Is Suffering a Result of Sin?
As Yeshua passed along, he saw a man blind from birth. His talmidim asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned — this man or his parents — to cause him to be born blind?” Yeshua answered, “His blindness is due neither to his sin nor to that of his parents; it happened so that God’s power might be seen at work in him.
Yochanan/John 9:1-3
Is suffering a result of our personal sins? This is a very difficult question to answer. Certainly, there are consequences for sin and, sometimes, those consequences lead to others’ suffering. For example, when someone is negligent in their work-related activities and something is not completed properly, others may suffer, even if the negligent one does not suffer. A much better writer than I am has shared with us: “People sometimes suffer because of their sinful choices, but not always. Sometimes people suffer for non-moral reasons, and sometimes people sin and don’t suffer. Sin is neither necessary nor sufficient for why someone is in pain.[1]” Remember, though, Adonai loves each one of us, in an exceptional way. He is there with you, as you travel through your suffering.
Abba B’Shamayim, Heavenly Father, I am ready to receive Your unconditional and healing love. Give me rest and peace. Give me the strength to surrender myself completely into Your hands – You, who know all about me. Help me to remain faithful to You. Protect me from anything that draws me away from You. B’Shem Adonai Yeshua, Mashichainu, our Messiah, Amen.
[1] https://seanmcdowell.org/blog/do-we-suffer-because-we-sin
