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There is no question that there is pain and suffering in this life. The question then becomes: why would a good God allow such things? Gary Wilkerson encourages us to trust God’s goodness and sovereignty through all life’s difficulties. God is able to make all things work together for the good of those who love him.

Key Points from the Podcast

  • Why would a God who says he is good and in control allow so much suffering in the world?
  • The health and wealth prosperity movements have perpetuated the lie that if a person just has enough faith they will be blessed financially, have no sickness, and can just pray or confess away all of their problems.
  • The Bible never promises that this life will be pain-free or trouble-free.
  • God in his sovereignty can take what Satan or sin meant for evil and use it for good.
  • Pain and difficulties in life tend to draw us nearer to God, whereas comfort and prosperity tend to make us drift from God.
  • Sometimes God will send a crook into the path of your life, in an area that is very close to your heart, to show you if you are valuing it more than you value him—finances, health, security, etc.
  • There is a misguided teaching and belief that if we are good and obey all the rules then nothing bad will happen to us.
  • Some have an erroneous theology that says Satan’s and sin’s powers are equal to God’s.
  • Prayer may not change every circumstance, but it can change how we see our circumstances.

Bible Verses Referenced in the Podcast

Ecclesiastes 7:13; Isaiah 14:24–27; Job 23:14–14; Ezekiel 14:19–20; Daniel 4:35; Genesis 45:5–8; John 10:10; Genesis 50:20; Psalm 119:67; 1 Timothy 5:23; Romans 8:28–31; Matthew 26:39; Job 42:5; Psalm 14:1; Psalm 53:1; Proverbs 16:33; Matthew 10:29–30; 2 Samuel 24:12–14; 1 Chronicles 21:10–13; Romans 8:20–21; Romans 8:26; Matthew 7:7–8; Mark 4:39; Ecclesiastes 3:11

Resources Mentioned in the Podcast

About Gary Wilkerson

Gary Wilkerson is the President of World Challenge, an international mission organization that was founded by his father, David Wilkerson. He is also the Founding Pastor of The Springs Church, which he launched in 2009 with a handful of people. He has traveled nationally and internationally at conferences and conducted mission ventures such as church planting, starting orphanages, clinics, feeding programs among the poorest of the poor and the most unreached people of the earth. Gary and his wife Kelly have four children and live in Colorado Springs, CO.

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