Does God take pleasure in seeing us miserable?

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Pilsen

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His ways do not make any sense & they seem cruel.

Yes, he was crucified. But his suffering only lasted for one day. What about everyone else who have to endure years of it. Where’s the fairness in this?
 
Pilsen said:
His ways do not make any sense & they seem cruel.

Yes, he was crucified. But his suffering only lasted for one day. What about everyone else who have to endure years of it. Where’s the fairness in this?
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It is fair for us to suffer. Sinners deserve to burn in hell for eternity. The wages of sin is death (Romans 3:23). God is not cruel. Death and sickness exists because of sin.

It is not fair that the perfect and sinless Jesus Christ had to suffer and die for us. It is not fair that those who live a Catholic life can go to heaven. If God was fair to us, we would all be in hell. 🙂
 
If we counted the things God had to do, we wouldn’t be here. Catholicism/orthodoxy is a preparation for the suffering of this physical world which we are all part of.
 
Monicad said:
Are you suffering at this time, or is someone you love suffering? I am just wondering if you are asking a question that is meant to be a discussion question or if you are frustrated and feeling distant from God. Please be assured of my prayers either way. Human suffering is a mystery that cannot be easily understood, however Jesus understands our suffering, I do not believe that God takes pleasure in seeing us suffer not at all but he allows it in order to bring a greater good out of it.

A parent might allow their young child to skin their knees knowing it will hurt and they will suffer, but know they will learn a greater lesson in order to be careful. We are God’s children too. Sometimes our sufferings are easy to see they are lessons we are learning but other times we do not see and it is so hard. Sometimes our sufferings are leading other people to God.

Whatever you are going through I am sure it is not easy and you are not alone in your question, many people over centuries and centuries have struggled with the mystery of human suffering and how could God allow it. I urge you to pray and search on the “Ask and Apologist Forum” as well, also ask the Holy Spirit to help you. God bless.
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I am frustrated & feeling distant from God.

I feel like Jesus is not worth it anymore.
 
Human suffering is as hard as the problem of evil for a Christian to understand. Some will see it as a learning experience; others will see it as sharing with the sufferings of Christ; but it is little comfort when it is constant and ongoing. I have read the book of Job; and the Papal Encyclical on Human Suffering, but still it hurts like hell and there is little spiritual relief in prayer. Is it worthwhile to blame God? Is it reasonable to challenge him by an act of defiance or disloyalty? We live with a fallen nature and to insult your Father won’t help.I don’t understand if the suffering and death of Our Lord is sufficient for our salvation what spiritual value our personal suffering plays. Only personally, I offer up my small,but real sufferings for the reparation of my punishment still due under divine justice, and for Mary’s intentions. I don;t know if they have any value like spiritual brownie points, but I hope Mary appreciates the thought as a mother appreciates the worthless gift of her small child. It is like my saying a Hail Mary every time I start the car. It is not a magic totem, but an increase in my parlous prayer life. Offering up my suffering increases my spiritual life and encourages my patience and consideration of my carers. All good. Don’t despair and don’t hurt the feelings of those that love you. It doesn’t make sense at any level.
 
No, he does not.

Ezekiel 18: 21-32
**But if the wicked turn away from all their sins that they have committed and keep all my statutes and do what is lawful and right, they shall surely live; they shall not die. None of the transgressions that they have committed shall be remembered against them; for the righteousness that they have done they shall live. Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, says the Lord God, and not rather that they should turn from their ways and live? But when the righteous turn away from their righteousness and commit iniquity and do the same abominable things that the wicked do, shall they live? None of the righteous deeds that they have done shall be remembered; for the treachery of which they are guilty and the sin they have committed, they shall die.

Yet you say, “The way of the Lord is unfair.” Hear now, O house of Israel: Is my way unfair? Is it not your ways that are unfair? When the righteous turn away from their righteousness and commit iniquity, they shall die for it; for the iniquity that they have committed they shall die. Again, when the wicked turn away from the wickedness they have committed and do what is lawful and right, they shall save their life. Because they considered and turned away from all the transgressions that they had committed, they shall surely live; they shall not die. Yet the house of Israel says, “The way of the Lord is unfair.” O house of Israel, are my ways unfair? Is it not your ways that are unfair?

Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, all of you according to your ways, says the Lord God. Repent and turn from all your transgressions; otherwise iniquity will be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed against me, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, says the Lord God. Turn, then, and live.
**
 
Since it is through suffering and death that we are freed from the curse of original sin, I think God is more than happy to see us suffer so that we might accept the salvation offered to us by Christ.

It is through suffering in our very short lives in this world that we might reach eternal happiness. Should we instead live comfortable and satisfying lives that we might die and remain subject to demons in hell? That doesn’t seem very loving.

When a parent takes away toys from a misbehaving child, they take joy in the better person that child will become. I don’t think it any different with God.
 

God does not take pleasure in our suffering. Yet, He allows it. Why? See the verses below:​

“For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God.”
1 Peter 2:19 NIV

“News about Him spread all over Syria, and people brought to Him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and He healed them.”
Matthew 4:24 NIV

“Surely He took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted.”
Isaiah 53:4 NIV

“He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces He was despised, and we held Him in low esteem.”
Isaiah 53:3 NIV

“As He passed by, He saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. We must work the works of Him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” …”
John 9:1-41 ESV

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.””
Revelation 21:4 ESV

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, …”
Psalm 91:1-16 ESV

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.”
Romans 8:28 ESV

“So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.”
2 Corinthians 12:7 ESV

You see, God heals us when we ask it. However, sometimes He uses our suffering to test us, and to show our faith in Him so that others may believe. Satan also uses pain and suffering to try to deceive us into believing that God desires it. Do not be deceived.

I have, and still am, suffering in the material and physical sense; but I am, and will continue to be, joyful in the spiritual sense because I know that I will be with God for eternity, and that this small amount of time on earth is but a twinkling of God’s eye. I will certainly endure death for eternal life with our Lord.
 
Does God take pleasure in seeing us miserable?

No.
He is doing surgery on you right now. May I recommend the prayer Jesus I trust in You.

Our Blessed Mother at Fatima asked for prayers and sacrifices for the conversion of sinners and peace in this world. This is your opportunity to unite this frustration, this suffering, for this intention. Don’t waste it. God knows the world needs it today. Be generous with your suffering today to benefit others.

As a football team is plowing down the field, taking hits, trying strategies, they have the goal in mind, although in the moment they are concentrating on inches. You and I have a goal, and it’s heaven. There is not one moment of suffering, that is suffered well, that won’t be rewarded for eternity. It’s like showing up for work for one 12 hour day and getting to retire for the rest of your life! Better than that even.

Be on God’s team today. You’ve got work to do. Get it done. Have courage.
 
Lost_Sheep said:
Trouble is, I have feel like I’m just reciting words and not really believing in what I’m saying.
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Thank you for saying this. It is hard for us to trust! Do you know that prayer,* I believe, help my unbelief?* You can say *Jesus, help me to trust you! I want to trust you! Jesus, I trust in You! *

May God strengthen and help you today.
 
God takes no pleasure from our suffering, but he seems to require us to be masochists.
 
St. Alphonsus de Ligouri tells a story in one of his books of a nun who complained to Jesus. She said, you only had to suffer one day, while I have to suffer for years on end. Jesus told her that she was wrong and that He suffered His whole life because He always had His Passion in His heart and mind. His whole life was to suffer and die and He always knew it. So, there’s just a little story for you from a saint.
 
Jesus Christ suffered his entire life under the shadow of His Cross. He suffered plenty. You are very wrong to think that He suffered for only one day. Please know that Jesus Christ’s Passion was the VERY WORST torture a person could have to endure.
 
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