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“Where Was God?”The Watchtower (Public)—2018 | No. 3
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“Where Was God?”
“CONSTANTLY THE QUESTION COMES UP: WHERE WAS GOD?”—Pope Benedict XVI, while visiting the former concentration camp at Auschwitz, Poland.
WHEN TRAGEDIES STRIKE, DO YOU EVER WONDER, ‘WHERE WAS GOD?’ OR IN YOUR OWN LIFE, HAS A TRAUMATIC EVENT MADE YOU QUESTION WHETHER GOD CARES ABOUT YOU PERSONALLY?
Perhaps you feel as did Sheila, who lives in the United States. Raised in a deeply religious family, she says: “From childhood on, I was drawn to God because he is our Maker. Yet, I never felt close to him. I thought he was watching me, but only from a distance. I didn’t feel that God hated me, but neither did I believe that he cared for me.” Why did Sheila have doubts? She explains: “My family faced one tragedy after another, and it seemed that God wasn’t helping us at all.”
Like Sheila, you may feel sure that Almighty God exists. Yet, you may wonder whether he really cares about you. The righteous man Job, who had faith in the power and wisdom of the Creator, had similar doubts. (Job 2:3; 9:4) After Job was pummeled by one tragedy after another—with no relief in sight—he asked God: “Why do you hide your face and consider me your enemy?”—Job 13:24.
What does the Bible say? Is God to blame when tragedy strikes? Is there any evidence that God cares about humans in general and about each one of us individually? On a personal level, can any of us really know whether he notices us, understands us, empathizes with us, or helps us with our problems?
In the following articles, we will consider what creation teaches us about God’s care for us. (Romans 1:20) Then, we will analyze what the Bible reveals about God’s care. The more you “come to know him” through his creation and his Word, the more you will have the assurance that “he cares for you.”—1 John 2:3; 1 Peter 5:7.
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Does God Notice You?The Watchtower (Public)—2018 | No. 3
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Does God Notice You?
WHAT CREATION TEACHES US
The first 60 minutes of a baby’s life outside the womb is a crucial period of adjustment. Why? Because mothers who bond with their newborn babies during this critical time dramatically improve the growth and development of their children.a
What prompts a mother to care tenderly for her newborn baby? Professor Jeannette Crenshaw explains in The Journal of Perinatal Education that an elevated level of the hormone oxytocin “stimulates mothering feelings after birth as a mother touches, gazes at, and breastfeeds her newborn.” Another hormone released at this time “helps a mother respond to her baby” and reinforces her interaction with her baby. Why is that significant?
The close bond between mother and baby was designed by our loving Creator, Jehovah God.b King David credited God with bringing him “out of the womb” and making him feel secure in his mother’s embrace. He prayed: “I have been entrusted to your care from birth; from my mother’s womb, you have been my God.”—Psalm 22:9, 10.
CONSIDER: If God created such a complex system to ensure that a human mother will tenderly observe her baby and respond to the infant’s needs, does it not seem logical that God also takes a personal interest in us, “the children of God”?—Acts 17:29.
WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES US ABOUT GOD’S WATCHFUL CARE
Jesus Christ, who knows the Creator better than anyone else, taught: “Two sparrows sell for a coin of small value, do they not? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father’s knowledge. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. So have no fear; you are worth more than many sparrows.”—Matthew 10:29-31.
Few of us pay attention to every small bird we see, let alone notice when one of them falls to the ground. But our heavenly Father notices each one of them! And birds—even many birds—are never worth more to him than a human. The lesson, therefore, is clear: You should “have no fear” that God does not notice you. On the contrary, he is deeply interested in you!
God is keenly interested in our welfare and watches over us with loving concern
The Scriptures assure us
“The eyes of Jehovah are everywhere, watching both the bad and the good.”—PROVERBS 15:3.
“The eyes of Jehovah are on the righteous, and his ears listen to their cry for help.”—PSALM 34:15.
“I will rejoice greatly in your loyal love, for you have seen my affliction; you are aware of my deep distress.”—PSALM 31:7.
“I FELT THAT I WAS NOT LOVED BY JEHOVAH”
Can it make a difference in our life if we know that God is keenly interested in our welfare and watches over us with loving concern? It most certainly can, as Hannah,c from England, explains:
“Many, many times I felt that Jehovah did not love me and that my prayers were not being answered. I thought it was because of a lack of faith on my part. I felt that I was being punished or ignored because I wasn’t important. I felt that God didn’t care.”
However, Hannah no longer doubts Jehovah’s attention and love. What changed how she felt? “It was a gradual change,” she explains. “I remember one Bible talk many years ago about Jesus’ ransom sacrifice that had a profound effect on me and helped me feel reassured of Jehovah’s love. And when my prayers have been answered, I have often burst into tears because I realized that Jehovah does love me after all. Also, by studying the Bible and attending Christian meetings, I have learned more about Jehovah, his personality, and the way he feels about us. Now I see clearly Jehovah’s backing and love for us all and his willing desire to look after us individually.”
What Hannah says is encouraging. But how can you be sure that God understands and remembers your feelings? The following article will examine this question.
a Some mothers who suffer from postpartum depression may have difficulty bonding with their baby. However, they should not feel that they are to blame. According to the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health, postpartum depression “likely results from a combination of physical and emotional factors . . . but does not occur because of something a mother does or does not do.” For more information on this subject, see the article “Understanding Postpartum Depression” in the June 8, 2003, issue of Awake!
b Jehovah is God’s name as revealed in the Bible.—Psalm 83:18.
c Some of the names in this series of articles have been changed.
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Does God Understand You?The Watchtower (Public)—2018 | No. 3
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Does God Understand You?
WHAT CREATION TEACHES US
Reflect on one of the closest relationships humans can have—that of identical twins. They share an especially intimate bond. Some twins even “know what it’s like to say something to someone who understands exactly what they mean without explanation,” says Nancy Segal, director of the Twin Studies Center and a twin herself. One woman described the relationship between her and her identical twin this way: “We just know everything about each other.”
What accounts for this unique understanding? Studies suggest that while environment and parenting are factors, the especially similar genetic makeup of identical twins seems to play a critical role.
CONSIDER: The Creator of all this awesome genetic material surely has a unique understanding of the makeup of every one of us. Indeed, the psalmist David declared: “You kept me screened off in my mother’s womb. My bones were not hidden from you when I was made in secret. . . . Your eyes even saw me as an embryo; all its parts were written in your book.” (Psalm 139:13, 15, 16) God alone knows and can fully understand not only our genetic makeup but also all the events in our life that have shaped us. God’s unique knowledge of us and our genetic makeup assures us that he does indeed understand us in every detail.
WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES US ABOUT GOD’S INSIGHT
David prayed: “O Jehovah, you have searched through me, and you know me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up. You discern my thoughts from afar. There is not a word on my tongue, but look! O Jehovah, you already know it well.” (Psalm 139:1, 2, 4) In addition, Jehovah is aware of our innermost feelings and even “discerns every inclination of the thoughts.” (1 Chronicles 28:9; 1 Samuel 16:6, 7) What do these verses reveal about God?
Even though we may not vocalize all our prayerful thoughts and feelings, our Creator not only observes what we do but also understands why we do it. Moreover, he understands the good we would like to do, even if our limitations prevent us from carrying out our heartfelt desire. Surely, because God put love in our hearts in the first place, he is willing—even eager—to observe and understand our loving thoughts and motives.—1 John 4:7-10.
Absolutely nothing escapes God’s notice. He is even aware of our sufferings when others may not be aware of them or fully understand them
The Scriptures assure us
“The eyes of Jehovah are on the righteous, and his ears listen to their supplication.”—1 PETER 3:12.
God promises: “I will give you insight and instruct you in the way you should go. I will give you advice with my eye upon you.”—PSALM 32:8.
GOD IS VERY COMPASSIONATE
Can knowing that God understands our situation and feelings help us deal with adversity? Consider what happened to Anna, from Nigeria. “I questioned whether life was worth living because of my desperate circumstances,” she explains. “I was a widow caring for my daughter, who was in the hospital with hydrocephalus (excessive fluid in the brain), when I was diagnosed with breast cancer and had to have surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. It was extremely difficult for me to handle being in the hospital at the same time that my ailing daughter was.”
What helped Anna to cope? “I pondered over scriptures such as Philippians 4:6, 7, which says that ‘the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your mental powers.’ Each time this scripture came to mind, I felt a close personal bond with Jehovah, knowing that he understands me better than I understand myself. I also received much encouragement from my beloved spiritual brothers and sisters in the Christian congregation.
“Even though I still struggle with my health, my situation and that of my daughter have improved. Because we have Jehovah on our side, we have learned not to think negatively when we face challenges. James 5:11 assures us: ‘We consider happy those who have endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome Jehovah gave, that Jehovah is very tender in affection [or, “very compassionate,” footnote] and merciful.’” Jehovah understood Job’s situation perfectly, and we can be sure that he likewise understands any difficulties we go through.
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Does God Have Empathy?The Watchtower (Public)—2018 | No. 3
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Does God Have Empathy?
WHAT CREATION TEACHES US
Empathy is defined as “the ability to share someone else’s feelings or experiences by imagining what it would be like to be in that person’s situation.” Mental-health expert Dr. Rick Hanson states that “empathy is in our bones.”
CONSIDER: Why are we endowed with empathy, a quality unmatched in any other species? The Bible explains that God created humankind in his image. (Genesis 1:26) We are made in the image of God in that we can reflect his personality and thus display a measure of his fine qualities. Hence, when empathy moves caring people to help others, they mirror the empathy of their compassionate Creator, Jehovah God.—Proverbs 14:31.
WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES US ABOUT GOD’S EMPATHY
God has empathy for us and hates to see us suffer. Regarding the people of ancient Israel who endured harsh slavery in Egypt followed by 40 difficult years in the wilderness the Bible says: “During all their distress it was distressing to him.” (Isaiah 63:9) Note that God was not merely aware of their distress. He could feel their pain. “I well know the pains they suffer,” he stated. (Exodus 3:7) “Whoever touches you,” says God, “touches the pupil of my eye.” (Zechariah 2:8) When others hurt us, his heart aches with ours.
The Bible assures us that even though we may feel self-condemned and unworthy of God’s empathy, “God is greater than our hearts and knows all things.” (1 John 3:19, 20) God knows us better than we know ourselves. He is fully aware of all our circumstances, thoughts, and feelings. He has empathy for us.
We can look to God for comfort, wisdom, and support, knowing that he comes to the aid of those who are distressed
The Scriptures assure us
“You will call, and Jehovah will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say, ‘Here I am!’”—ISAIAH 58:9.
“‘For I well know the thoughts that I am thinking toward you,’ declares Jehovah, ‘thoughts of peace, and not of calamity, to give you a future and a hope. And you will call me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.’”—JEREMIAH 29:11, 12.
“Do collect my tears in your skin bottle. Are they not recorded in your book?”—PSALM 56:8.
GOD NOTICES, UNDERSTANDS, AND FEELS FOR US
Can knowing that God has empathy for us help us deal with adversity? Consider Maria’s experience:
“I felt that life was hard and unjust after I experienced the immense pain of losing my 18-year-old son following his two-year battle with cancer. I was angry with Jehovah for not intervening and curing him!
“Six years later, a loving and compassionate friend in the congregation listened as I expressed my feeling that Jehovah did not love me. After listening to me for hours without interrupting, she quoted a verse that moved me. It was 1 John 3:19, 20, which says: ‘God is greater than our hearts and knows all things.’ She explained that Jehovah understands our distress.
“Despite this, it was hard for me to let go of my anger! Then I read Psalm 94:19, which says: ‘When anxieties overwhelmed me, you comforted and soothed me.’ I felt as if the verses were written just for me! Eventually, I found it very soothing to be able to talk to Jehovah about my distress, knowing that he listens and understands.”
How comforting it is to know that God understands and feels for us! But why, then, is there so much suffering? Is it because God is punishing us for wrongdoing? Will God do anything to end all suffering? These matters will be addressed in the following articles.
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Suffering—Is It Punishment From God?The Watchtower (Public)—2018 | No. 3
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Suffering—Is It Punishment From God?
LUZIA LIMPS ON HER LEFT LEG. As a small child, she contracted poliomyelitis, a highly contagious disease that attacks the body’s nervous system. When she was 16, a lady whom Luzia worked for told her, “God punished you with paralysis because you were disobedient and nasty to your mother.” Years later, Luzia still remembers how devastated she felt.
WHEN DAMARIS LEARNED THAT SHE HAD BRAIN CANCER, her father asked her: “What have you done for this to happen to you? You must have done something very bad. That is why God is punishing you.” Damaris’ spirit was crushed by his comment.
The thought that sickness is punishment from God has a long history. The book Manners and Customs of Bible Lands says that many in Christ’s time believed that “sickness was caused by either the sin of the sick person, or of his relations, and that it was sent as punishment for that sin.” Medieval Medicine and the Plague says that in the Middle Ages “some people believed that God brought plagues to punish them for their sins.” So when millions throughout Europe died from the plague in the 14th century, was God executing judgment on wicked people? Or was the plague simply caused by a bacterial infection, as medical researchers have since determined? Some may wonder, does God really use sickness to make people suffer for their sins?a
CONSIDER: Why would Jesus heal people who were sick if sickness and suffering were deserved punishments from God? Would that not amount to undermining God’s justice and righteousness? (Matthew 4:23, 24) Jesus would never counteract God’s actions. He said: “I always do the things pleasing to him” and, “I am doing just as the Father has commanded me to do.”—John 8:29; 14:31.
The Bible is clear. Jehovah God “is never unjust.” (Deuteronomy 32:4) For example, God would never cause an airplane disaster, killing hundreds of innocent people, because he wanted to punish someone on board! In harmony with God’s righteousness, Abraham, a faithful servant of God, said that God would never “sweep away the righteous with the wicked.” That would be “unthinkable,” he said. (Genesis 18:23, 25) The Bible also says that “God does not act wickedly”; he does not “do wrong.”—Job 34:10-12.
WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES US ABOUT SUFFERING
The suffering we encounter is not divine punishment for a specific sin. Jesus himself was very clear on this matter when he and his disciples saw a man who had been blind from birth. “His disciples asked him: ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, so that he was born blind?’ Jesus answered: ‘Neither this man sinned nor his parents, but it was so that the works of God might be made manifest in his case.’”—John 9:1-3.
In view of prevailing misconceptions, Jesus’ disciples must have been surprised when he told them that neither the man nor his parents had sinned in a way that brought on misfortune. Not only did Jesus cure the man’s blindness but by so doing he overturned the erroneous belief that suffering is punishment from God. (John 9:6, 7) Those who suffer from serious health problems today can find comfort in knowing that God is not the cause of their affliction.
Why would Jesus heal sick people if God was punishing them for wrongdoing?
The Scriptures assure us
“With evil things God cannot be tried, nor does he himself try anyone.” (JAMES 1:13) Indeed, the “evil things” that have plagued mankind for centuries, including sickness, pain, and death, will soon be eliminated.
Jesus Christ “cured all who were suffering.” (MATTHEW 8:16) In healing all who came to him, God’s Son demonstrated what God’s Kingdom will accomplish on a worldwide scale.
“He [God] will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.”—REVELATION 21:3-5.
WHO IS TO BLAME?
Why, then, does mankind experience so much pain and suffering? Mankind has been pondering that question for centuries. If God is not to blame, who is responsible? The answers to those questions will be discussed in the next article.
a Although there have been times in the past when God has punished people for specific sins, the Bible does not indicate that Jehovah is now using such things as sickness or tragedies to punish people for their sins.
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Who Is to Blame?The Watchtower (Public)—2018 | No. 3
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Who Is to Blame?
If suffering is not from God, what accounts for mass starvation, grinding poverty, brutal warfare, crippling diseases, and natural disasters? God’s Word, the Bible, reveals three main causes for mankind’s suffering:
Selfishness, Greed, and Hatred. “Man has dominated man to his harm.” (Ecclesiastes 8:9) People often suffer because they are victimized by imperfect, selfish, or cruel humans.
Time and Unforeseen Events. Humans often suffer “because time and unexpected events overtake them.” (Ecclesiastes 9:11) That is, people are simply at the wrong place at the wrong time, accidents occur, or people are careless or make mistakes.
The Evil Ruler of the World. The Bible clearly identifies the primary cause of human suffering. It states: “The whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one.” (1 John 5:19) That “wicked one” is Satan the Devil, a powerful spirit creature who was originally an angel of God but “did not stand fast in the truth.” (John 8:44) Other spirit creatures joined Satan and rebelled against God in order to pursue selfish desires, thus making themselves demons. (Genesis 6:1-5) Ever since their rebellion, Satan and his demons have exerted a powerful and cruel influence over this world’s affairs. This has been particularly so in our time. Now, the Devil has great anger and “is misleading the entire inhabited earth,” which has resulted in “woe for the earth.” (Revelation 12:9, 12) Indeed, Satan is a brutal dictator. He gets perverse satisfaction from human suffering. It is Satan—not God—who causes people to suffer.
CONSIDER: Only a heartless, diabolical evildoer would cause innocent people to suffer. By contrast, the Bible says: “God is love.” (1 John 4:8) In harmony with his loving personality, “it is unthinkable for the true God to act wickedly, for the Almighty to do wrong!”—Job 34:10.
However, you may naturally wonder, ‘How long will Almighty God permit Satan to continue his heinous rule?’ As we have seen, God abhors wickedness and our suffering causes him great pain. Furthermore, his Word urges: “Throw all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7) God loves us and has the power to remove all suffering and injustice, as the following article will explain.a
a For more information on why there is so much suffering, see lesson 26 of the book Enjoy Life Forever! published by Jehovah’s Witnesses and available for free download at www.jw.org.
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God Will Soon End All SufferingThe Watchtower (Public)—2018 | No. 3
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God Will Soon End All Suffering
“How long, O Jehovah, must I cry for help, but you do not hear? How long must I ask for help from violence, but you do not intervene?” (Habakkuk 1:2, 3) These are the words of Habakkuk, a good man who enjoyed God’s favor. Did his plea indicate a lack of faith? By no means! God reassured Habakkuk that He had an appointed time to bring an end to suffering.—Habakkuk 2:2, 3.
When you or someone close to you is suffering, it is easy to conclude that God is slow to act, that he should have intervened by now. Yet, the Bible assures us: “Jehovah is not slow concerning his promise, as some people consider slowness, but he is patient with you because he does not desire anyone to be destroyed but desires all to attain to repentance.”—2 Peter 3:9.
WHEN WILL GOD ACT?
Very soon! Jesus revealed that a particular generation would witness a unique combination of conditions that would mark the last days of a “system of things.” (Matthew 24:3-42) The fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecy in our day indicates that God’s intervention in human affairs is imminent.a
But how will God bring an end to all suffering? When Jesus was on the earth, he demonstrated God’s power to alleviate mankind’s suffering. Consider some examples of this.
Natural Disasters: While Jesus and his apostles were sailing on the Sea of Galilee, a violent windstorm threatened to sink their boat. But Jesus showed that he and his Father can control the natural elements. (Colossians 1:15, 16) Jesus simply said: “Hush! Be quiet!” The result? “The wind abated, and a great calm set in.”—Mark 4:35-39.
Sickness: Jesus was well-known for his ability to heal the blind and the lame, as well as those suffering from epilepsy, leprosy, or any other sort of infirmity. “He cured all who were suffering.”—Matthew 4:23, 24; 8:16; 11:2-5.
Food Shortages: Jesus used powers granted to him by his Father to multiply meager food supplies. It is recorded that twice during his ministry, he fed thousands.—Matthew 14:14-21; 15:32-38.
Death: That Jehovah has the power to undo death is clearly shown by the three resurrections Jesus is recorded to have performed. One of those whom he brought back to life had been dead for four days.—Mark 5:35-42; Luke 7:11-16; John 11:3-44.
a For more information about the last days, see lesson 32 of the book Enjoy Life Forever! published by Jehovah’s Witnesses and available for free download at www.jw.org.
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How God’s Care Can Benefit YouThe Watchtower (Public)—2018 | No. 3
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How God’s Care Can Benefit You
God has created our bodies with the marvelous ability to heal. When a healthy body is cut, scraped, or punctured, it “orchestrates a complex cascade of events designed to heal wounds big and small.” (Johns Hopkins Medicine) The body immediately springs into action to stop the bleeding, widen the blood vessels, repair the wound, and strengthen the tissue.
CONSIDER: If the Creator designed our bodies to heal physical wounds, can we not have confidence in his promise to help us recover from emotional injuries too? “He heals the brokenhearted,” wrote the psalmist. “He binds up their wounds.” (Psalm 147:3) But if you suffer from emotional trauma or distress, how can you be sure that Jehovah will bind up your wounds—both now and in the future?
WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES US ABOUT GOD’S LOVE
God promises: “Do not be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be anxious, for I am your God. I will fortify you, yes, I will help you.” (Isaiah 41:10) A person who knows that Jehovah cares about him has peace of mind and the strength to deal with various trials. The apostle Paul called this inner calmness “the peace of God that surpasses all understanding.” Paul added: “For all things I have the strength through the one who gives me power.”—Philippians 4:4-7, 9, 13.
The Scriptures help us to build faith in Jehovah’s promises for mankind’s future. For example, Revelation 21:4, 5 tells us what he will do and why we can trust him to do it:
“He will wipe out every tear” from people’s eyes. Jehovah will eliminate all our suffering and anxiety, even concerns that seem insignificant to others.
“Seated on the throne” in heavenly glory, the Almighty King of all creation will exercise his power and authority to prevent suffering and to give us the help we need.
Jehovah guarantees that his promises are “faithful and true.” That is, he stakes his reputation as the true God on the fulfillment of his promises.
“‘He will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.’ And the One seated on the throne said: ‘Look! I am making all things new.’ Also he says: ‘Write, for these words are faithful and true.’”—Revelation 21:4, 5.
Both the physical universe and the Bible reveal the personality and the attributes of our heavenly Father. While creation represents an implicit invitation to get to know God as an intimate Friend, the Bible makes that invitation explicit, saying: “Draw close to God, and he will draw close to you.” (James 4:8) Says Acts 17:27: “He is not far off from each one of us.”
As you take the time to know God, you will become increasingly convinced that “he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7) What are the practical benefits of such trust in Jehovah?
Consider the case of Toru, from Japan. He was raised by a Christian mother, yet he became involved in the violent world of the yakuza, the Japanese Mafia. He relates, “I believed that God hated me, and I felt that the deaths of those around me, especially those who were very dear to me, were a punishment for me.” Toru admits that in this destructive environment and frame of mind, he became “a heartless and unfeeling person.” Regarding his ambition, he recalls, “I wanted to die young after killing someone more famous than me and thus make a name for myself.”
However, when Toru and his wife, Hannah, studied the Bible, Toru made drastic changes in his life and outlook. “I watched my husband change before my very eyes,” says Hannah. Now, Toru says with certainty: “There is a God who really cares about each one of us. He does not want anyone to die, and he is willing to forgive those who truly repent of their errors. He listens to things that we can tell no one but him and that no one else would understand. In the near future, Jehovah will remove all problems, suffering, and agony. Even now, he helps us in the most unexpected ways. He cares for us and saves us when we are low.”—Psalm 136:23.
As Toru’s experience illustrates, knowing that God can—and soon will—eliminate all tragedy and wipe away every tear not only gives us a sure hope for the future but also helps us to live a better life now. Yes, even in a world saturated with suffering, you can benefit from God’s loving care.
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How Does God Feel About Your Suffering?The Watchtower (Public)—2018 | No. 3
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How Does God Feel About Your Suffering?
Some people believe that God neither sees suffering nor cares about it.
CONSIDER WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS
God both sees and cares
“Jehovah saw that man’s wickedness was great on the earth . . . , and his heart was saddened.”—Genesis 6:5, 6.
God will stop all suffering
“Just a little while longer, and the wicked will be no more; you will look at where they were, and they will not be there. But the meek will possess the earth, and they will find exquisite delight in the abundance of peace.”—Psalm 37:10, 11.
What God wants for you
“‘I well know the thoughts that I am thinking toward you,’ declares Jehovah, ‘thoughts of peace, and not of calamity, to give you a future and a hope. And you will call me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.’”—Jeremiah 29:11, 12.
“Draw close to God, and he will draw close to you.”—James 4:8.
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