The world teems with chaos and suffering. It’s natural to grapple with the spiritual and philosophical dilemmas of existence. We often find ourselves yearning to escape the horrible circumstances we inherit. Many people experience life’s nightmares like rampant injustices, heart-wrenching tragedies, and the struggle for meaning and contentment. It’s a sobering thought. Yet, within this very struggle, we uncover profound truths about ourselves and about our relationship with the divine.
For those who seek solace in faith or philosophy, the road to understanding can reveal joy. This joy is not a loud proclamation of happiness. Instead, it is a serene sense of peace that sets individuals apart from the turmoil of the world. They have touched the truth within their hearts. As a result, they will not conform to the expectation and pressures that engulf society.
The Nature of God and Human Suffering
Here is one of the most perplexing questions that plague human existence. People ask, “Why does a loving God allow innocent people to suffer?” This question is rooted in the idea of fairness. Many struggle to reconcile their view of a just God with the reality of suffering. Our perspective can shift dramatically when we adopt a true searching spirit. When we have a genuine wish for connection with the divine, change is possible.
In seeking answers, we often find nothing inherently unjust about the trials of the world. Instead, it’s crucial to understand that evil and suffering exist because of human choice. They are not a result of divine decree. The complexity of life is often attributed not to God’s inability to intervene. Rather, it is due to humanity’s inclination toward what is evil. This choice stems from a misguided pursuit of pride, creating a cycle that distances us from true fulfillment.
The Roots of Evil and the Human Condition
Understanding why the world is beset by misery requires a deep examination of humanity itself. From the earliest days, the human tendency to embrace pride and judge others has perpetuated a cycle of condemnation. We love the darker components of our existence. This can lead to a paradox. The very evils we embrace are those that we believe define us. This misguided love can make it seem that we can derive joy through harmful choices. We also seek validation through damaging behaviors. Yet, these ultimately lead to despair.
This turmoil often manifests in various forms, from social injustices and tragedies to personal conflicts. We become unconsciously entwined in a web of negativity and despair, empowering these very forces that tear us apart. For example, a man gives a woman the power to destroy him. This happens when he loves her for what is wrong with her. It makes him feel good when he loves the evil side of her.
The evil in the world is not because of God. It is because of man’s inclination toward evil, his love of evil through pride and judgment. It is our fascination with evil that all of the horror that we see around us comes into existence. We are helpless against it because we are part of it. Unconsciously we give it power to destroy us.
The journey toward salvation, then, is not merely an escape from horror. It is an active pursuit of truth, love, and goodness. By questioning and understanding the nature of our existence, we create a pathway toward peace and fulfillment.
Man’s Choice: Wicked or Divine
BP 175
