Author: Sokoga Ategbe

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Why Did God Allow That? – Wrestling with Suffering, Pain, and the Problem of Evil

“If God is good, why did He let this happen?”

It’s one of the hardest, rawest questions people ask—whispered through tears, shouted in anger, or left unspoken in quiet despair. A tragedy hits, betrayal crushes you, suffering lingers, or loss rips away something dear. And deep inside, a question burns:

Why did God allow that?

For some, this question is intellectual—a theological puzzle to solve. But for many, it’s deeply personal. Maybe you’ve lost someone too soon. Maybe a dream shattered. Maybe life’s unfairness seems unbearable. You pray, you plead, and yet… nothing changes.

Where is God in all this?

1. The Hard Reality: We Live in a Broken World

Let’s start with a truth that no one enjoys hearing: this world is fallen.

God made the world good, but sin broke it (Genesis 3). From the moment Adam and Eve disobeyed, suffering, sickness, and death entered the world. And since then, things have been messy. The Bible doesn’t sugarcoat this:

Jesus Himself said,

“In this world you will have trouble”.

(John 16:33)

Paul calls creation “subjected to futility” (Romans 8:20) and describes it as groaning under the weight of brokenness.

This means pain is part of life on this side of eternity. Not because God delights in suffering, but because sin corrupted the world.

2. “But If God is in Control, Why Didn’t He Stop It?”

This is where things get really difficult. If God is sovereign, couldn’t He have prevented that car crash? That abuse? That diagnosis?

Yes. He could have.

But the Bible shows us that God doesn’t always intervene the way we expect. Instead, He allows human choices and natural consequences to unfold—sometimes with devastating results.

  • He didn’t stop Joseph’s brothers from selling him into slavery (Genesis 37).
  • He didn’t prevent Job from losing everything (Job 1-2).
  • He didn’t keep Jesus from the cross (Luke 22-23).

And yet… in every case,

He was working something greater through the pain.

3. God’s Plan is Bigger Than Our Pain

Let’s revisit Joseph. Sold into slavery by his own brothers, falsely accused, thrown into prison. Where was God?

Right there, turning the worst moment of his life into the very thing that saved millions from famine (Genesis 50:20).

Or Job. He lost his family, health, and everything he owned. Yet, in the end, he encountered God in a deeper way than ever before (Job 42:5).

And Jesus—beaten, mocked, crucified. It seemed like the greatest evil in history. But that very moment became the source of salvation for the world.

What does this tell us?

  • God sees beyond what we see.
  • Pain is not wasted.
  • What Satan or others intend for evil, God can use for good.

It doesn’t mean every tragedy will make sense immediately. Some things we won’t understand this side of heaven. But God is still in control, even when life feels out of control.

4. The Cross is God’s Answer to Suffering

When we suffer, we want answers. But God doesn’t just give an explanation—He gives Himself.

Jesus didn’t stay distant from suffering; He stepped into it.

  • He was betrayed, abandoned, beaten, and crucified.
  • He felt the depths of human pain.
  • On the cross, He cried out: “My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46).
God doesn’t just watch our suffering—He experienced it Himself.

This is why Christianity is different from every other worldview. Many religions say, “Just accept suffering.” Atheism says, “Suffering is meaningless.” But Jesus says, “I have suffered with you, and I will redeem it.”

5. “So What Do I Do With My Pain?”

If you’re hurting, here’s what you can do:

  1. Be honest with God. He can handle your anger, doubt, and confusion (Psalm 13).
  2. Trust that He sees the bigger picture. Even if you don’t understand, He is working all things for good (Romans 8:28).
  3. Remember, suffering is temporary. This world is not the final chapter (Revelation 21:4).
  4. Lean on Jesus. He’s been there, and He walks with you now (Hebrews 4:15-16).

God doesn’t promise a pain-free life. But He promises that one day, all pain will end. Until then, we hold onto Him.

So, why did God allow that?

Maybe we won’t fully know. But we know who He is. And that is enough.

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Is It Ever Okay to Lie? 🤔

Somebody walks up to you and asks, “Hey, did you eat the last piece of chicken?” and you, with oil still shining on your lips, respond, “Which chicken?”

Is that lying? Of course.

But what about when the stakes are much, much higher?

What if telling the truth puts someone in danger?
What if honesty could break a family apart?
What if a simple, well-placed diplomatic response could keep the peace?

Does God expect absolute truthfulness at all times, or is there room for wisdom in how we respond? Let’s unpack this with real-life illustrations, biblical insights, and some necessary heart checks.

1. The Clear Biblical Command: No Lying. Period.

The Bible is very clear about lying:

“Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices.”

(Colossians 3:9)

“The Lord detests lying lips, but He delights in people who are trustworthy.”

(Proverbs 12:22)

“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.”

(Exodus 20:16 – One of the Ten Commandments)

So, at face value, the answer seems simple: Lying is never okay.

But then we read certain biblical stories that make us stop and think.

2. When Lying (or “Strategic Words”) Seemed to Work in the Bible

A few biblical characters seemed to get away with “not telling the whole truth.” Does that mean lying is sometimes justified?

A. The Hebrew Midwives – Exodus 1

Pharaoh commanded the Hebrew midwives to kill all Israelite baby boys. But they didn’t. When Pharaoh asked why, they said:

“The Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women; they are vigorous and give birth before the midwives arrive!”

(Exodus 1:19)

Essentially, they lied to save lives. And guess what? God blessed them for it. 🤯

B. Rahab and the Spies – Joshua 2

When Israelite spies hid in Rahab’s house, soldiers came looking for them. Rahab told the soldiers, “They already left,” while she was actually hiding them on her roof.

Did God strike her down for lying? No. In fact, Rahab is honored in the Bible for helping God’s people.

C. Jesus and the “Withholding” Approach

Now, Jesus never lied (obviously!), but He often responded to tricky questions with wisdom rather than blunt answers.

Example: When the Pharisees tried to trap Him by asking, “Should we pay taxes to Caesar?” (Matthew 22:17), He didn’t give a simple yes or no. Instead, He responded in a way that made them think:

"Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s."

He answered without falling into their trap. Was it deception? No. Was it wisdom? Absolutely.

3. When Does Truth Require Tact? (And When Does It Become a Lie?)

Now, let’s get real.

Imagine these scenarios:

A. Protecting Someone’s Life

You’re in Nazi Germany hiding Jews in your house.

Soldiers bang on your door: “Are you hiding anyone?”

What do you say?

Telling the absolute truth might lead to their death. Would God be more honored by telling the truth or protecting innocent lives?

B. Keeping Peace in a Sensitive Situation

Your friend just finished singing a very off-key solo at church.

They ask, “Did I sound okay?”

If you say, “Honestly, it was terrible,” they might never sing again.

If you say, 

"Your passion was amazing!"

without mentioning the off-key part, are you being deceitful or just gracious?

C. Navigating Work and Leadership

Your boss asks, “Do you think my idea is the best one?” (but it’s actually terrible).

If you say, 

"I think there’s a lot of potential here, and maybe we can refine it,"

you avoid dishonesty while gently steering things in a better direction.

4. The Difference Between Wisdom and Deception

Lying is clearly wrong when it:
❌ Protects our selfish interests.
❌ Manipulates others for personal gain.
❌ Breaks trust and integrity.

But wisdom is different.

✅ Being diplomatic isn’t the same as lying. It means speaking with grace and discernment.
✅ Being strategic in communication (like Jesus) doesn’t mean deception—it means avoiding unnecessary conflict.
✅ Using tact when responding to difficult questions doesn’t mean compromising truth—it means presenting it in a way that builds up rather than tears down.

5. So, Is It Ever Okay to Lie?

The best answer is: It’s complicated.

The Bible commands us to be truthful. But how we tell the truth requires wisdom. There are situations where brutal honesty can do more harm than good. However, we should never use this as an excuse to be deceitful for personal gain.

Instead of lying, consider these alternatives:

✔ Silence: Sometimes, the best answer is to say nothing.
✔ Redirecting: Like Jesus did—answer wisely rather than bluntly.
✔ Speaking with Grace: You can be honest without being harsh.

At the end of the day, our words should reflect both truth and love. Because truth without love is harsh, and love without truth is deception.

Final Thoughts: When Truth Meets Love

Every situation is different, but the goal remains the same: Honor God with your words.

  • Speak truth, but with wisdom.
  • Be honest, but also gracious.
  • Avoid deception, but also avoid unnecessary harm.

And if you’re ever in a situation where telling the truth seems impossible without causing harm—pray for wisdom. Because the God of truth is also the God of wisdom.

What Do You Think?

Have you ever been in a situation where telling the truth felt complicated? How did you handle it? Let’s talk in the comments! ⬇️

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Speaking Up Without Losing Your Faith: When to Talk, When to Stay Silent, and How to Say No with Grace

Some people think being a Christian means being a doormat. That we must swallow insults, tolerate nonsense, and say yes to anything—just to “keep the peace.”

But let’s be real. Jesus was not a people-pleaser. He was kind, but He wasn’t “nice” in the worldly sense. He corrected. He rebuked. He set boundaries. And He still managed to walk in love.

So, what do you do when:

  • Someone speaks to you anyhow?
  • People take you for granted?
  • A leader asks you to do something that’s against your values?

Do you just smile and endure? Or do you speak up?

Let’s talk.

1. When People Disrespect You: To Clap Back or Not?

We all have that one person who loves to test our patience. Maybe it’s that colleague who talks down on you, the relative who always has something rude to say, or the friend who constantly takes you for granted.

Now, let’s be clear: Swallowing disrespect is not the same as humility.

Jesus was humble, but He was not a pushover. He didn’t just let people talk to Him anyhow. When the Pharisees tried to trap Him, He shut them down with wisdom (Luke 20:20-26). When Peter tried to rebuke Him, Jesus corrected him sharply (Mark 8:33).

So, yes—you can and should speak up. But how?

Instead of insulting back, try this: 

“I’d appreciate it if you spoke to me with respect, just as I do to you.”

Instead of keeping quiet and feeling bitter, try this:

 “I don’t like how that sounded. Can we try again?”

It’s not about pride. It’s about boundaries. You can be firm without being rude.

2. When Leaders Ask You to Do What’s Wrong

This one is trickier. What if it’s your pastor, boss, or mentor asking you to do something that goes against God’s will?

You don’t want to be disrespectful, but you also don’t want to disobey God.

Look at David. Saul was his king, but when Saul started acting crazy, David refused to dishonor him—but he also refused to obey his madness (1 Samuel 24:6).

So, what’s the balance?

✔ Respect their position, but obey God first. If what they’re asking you to do is wrong, say no—but say it with humility.
✔ Honor does not mean silence. If you disagree, voice your concerns respectfully. You don’t have to embarrass them.

Try this:

“Sir/Ma, I deeply respect you, but I can’t do this because it goes against my beliefs.”
“I appreciate all you’ve done for me, but my conscience won’t allow me to take this step.”

Simple. Clear. Respectful. But firm.

3. Saying No Without Feeling Guilty

Ever felt bad for saying no? Like, “Maybe I should have just obeyed, so they don’t feel bad”?

That’s manipulation talking.

The Bible says we should “speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15). That means:
✔ Be clear (no need to dance around the issue).
✔ Be gentle (no need for insults).
✔ Be firm (no need to apologize for doing the right thing).

If someone is taking you for granted, using you, or leading you away from God’s path, speak up. But do it in a way that reflects Christ—strong, but full of grace.

Final Thoughts

Being a Christian doesn’t mean letting people walk over you. It means walking in wisdom. Knowing when to speak, when to stay silent, and when to say no with grace.

So, have you ever had to say no to a leader? How did you handle it? Or have you ever spoken up against disrespect without losing your peace?

Let’s talk in the comments!

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Justice or Just Us? Why Christians Can’t Seem to Agree on Right and Wrong

Let’s be honest—Christians are all over the place when it comes to justice.

Some are marching in the streets, fists in the air, chanting for change. Others are sitting comfortably in pews, shaking their heads, saying, “This world is not our home.” Then there are those who just quote Bible verses from a distance, hoping someone else will do the heavy lifting.

And here’s the kicker: every single one of them thinks they’re standing on biblical truth.

So, who’s right?

The War Over “Justice”

If you ever want to see Christians go to war, just bring up justice. It’s like throwing fuel on a wildfire. Different viewpoints:

“Social justice is a gospel issue!”

“No, justice is about personal righteousness, not political activism!”

“Just preach the gospel. Jesus didn’t come to fix society.”

Uh… okay, but have you read Isaiah? Amos? Micah? You know, the prophets who practically screamed about justice? “Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream” (Amos 5:24). Sounds like God cares about this stuff, doesn’t it?

Jesus: The Justice Disruptor

Here’s the thing—Jesus didn’t fit neatly into any one camp. He wasn’t a political activist leading protests, but He also didn’t sit back and “mind His business.” He flipped tables, challenged corrupt leaders, defended the oppressed, and confronted sin both in the temple and in society.

But He also didn’t push for a utopian political takeover. His mission was bigger than that—justice wasn’t just about fixing systems, it was about fixing hearts.

So, Where Do We Stand?

The Bible doesn’t give us the luxury of ignoring justice, but it also doesn’t tell us to put all our hope in human governments or ideologies. The problem is, we’ve made justice a battle of camps instead of a reflection of God’s kingdom.

Justice isn’t just activism. It’s not just personal holiness. It’s both.

It’s feeding the hungry and preaching the gospel.
It’s fighting corruption and walking in personal integrity.
It’s calling out evil and extending grace.

Because at the end of the day, justice isn’t about picking sides—it’s about aligning with God’s heart.

So, Here’s the Real Question…

If Jesus walked into your city today, would He see you fighting for the oppressed, living righteously, and standing for truth?

Or would He just see you arguing online?

Let’s talk. 👇
What do you think biblical justice actually looks like?

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“What If I Can’t Forgive?” – Wrestling with Unforgiveness Despite Biblical Commands

🔥 “Just forgive and move on.”

Ever had someone say that to you, and you just wanted to… lay hands (not the prayerful kind) on them? 😤

Yeah, me too.

Forgiveness sounds easy until you’re the one who’s been betrayed, backstabbed, abandoned, or broken beyond words.

We know what Jesus said:

  • 📖 “Forgive seventy times seven.” (Matthew 18:22)
  • 📖 “If you do not forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matthew 6:15)

But what if… I just can’t?

What if the pain still burns?
What if the wound is still fresh?
What if they never apologized?

What if I don’t even want to forgive? 😤

1. But They Don’t Deserve It! (Spoiler: Neither Do We 🤦🏽‍♂️)

Let’s be honest—some offenses feel unforgivable.

🚪 A trusted friend betrays you.
💔 A parent wounds you deeply.
⚖️ A person ruins your reputation.

And yet, here comes Jesus, asking us to forgive.

Not because they deserve it,
But because we didn’t deserve God’s forgiveness either.

📖 “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

(Romans 5:8)
Forgiveness isn’t excusing their sin—it’s releasing them from being the lord over your heart.

It’s trusting God to handle justice instead of letting bitterness consume you.

Because, let’s be real—bitterness feels powerful, but it only poisons the one holding it.

2. “But I Still Feel Angry!” (Good. That Means You’re Human.)

Forgiveness isn’t pretending like nothing happened.

David didn’t fake-smile at Saul while dodging spears. 🏹
Jesus didn’t laugh off Judas’ betrayal. 💔
Even God expresses righteous anger. 🔥

Forgiveness isn’t a one-time event—it’s a process.

It’s choosing, every time the anger flares up, to say:


“Lord, I release them into Your hands.”

And some days, you’ll need to say that 147 times before breakfast. 😩

3. What If I Don’t Feel Forgiving? (You Don’t Have To—Yet.)

Ever notice how Jesus never said,
“Feel forgiveness in your heart, and then act on it.”

Nope. Instead, He commands us to do it.

Because forgiveness isn’t an emotion.
It’s an act of obedience.

When you start praying for the person who hurt you—
Not “Lord, break their legs” but “Lord, heal them”—
Your heart slowly starts to change.

It might take time.
It might take prayer.
It might take tears.

But you’ll wake up one day and realize…
The bitterness has loosened its grip.

And in its place? Freedom.

4. But What If They Hurt Me Again? (Set Boundaries, Not Barriers.)

Forgiveness doesn’t mean handing them a free pass to hurt you again.

It doesn’t mean ignoring wisdom or setting yourself up for more damage.

🔒 Forgiveness is releasing the offense.
🚪 Boundaries are protecting your heart.

Jesus forgave freely, but He didn’t entrust Himself to everyone. (John 2:24-25)

You can love someone from a distance.
You can pray for someone and not let them back into your inner circle.
You can forgive and still be wise.

Because grace isn’t naïve. It’s just freeing.

Final Thought: “But What If I’m Not Ready?”

Then be honest with God.

“Lord, I want to obey You, but I’m struggling.”
“Help me forgive, because I can’t do it on my own.”

Because at the end of the day, forgiveness isn’t natural.

It’s supernatural.

And the One who forgave you first…
Will give you the grace to do the same.

What Do You Think?

  • Have you ever struggled to forgive?
  • What helped you let go?
  • Do you think forgiveness always means reconciliation?

Drop a comment—let’s wrestle through this together. ⬇️🔥

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