WHY DOES GOD ALLOW CATASTROPHES?

Someone asked me the old question, what is God's reason for not preventing disasters like babies getting cancer, terrorist attacks, the Holocaust, earthquakes, tsunamis, etc.? 

I believe an answer to this question can only come from a deep understanding of the entire narrative of Scripture, including the nature of God, the significance of His love, and the concept of sin. 

The realization that has brought me some light into this horrible world in which I live is that I exist in a fallen and cursed place where sin has tainted every aspect of life. From our very human nature to the state of the planet itself, everything is damaged by corruption.

The question is, what's the point of living in a world where you're either going to be eaten away by disease or killed by someone or something? And my answer is to find God, to rekindle our perfect relationship with Him that we once had.  That's why Jesus is playing the role that He is playing in this world: a rescuer, Savior, redeemer - the most significant sign of God's love for us.

It comforts me that the ultimate hope and purpose of my life as a believer lies in what comes after this life. The Christian saying that "this is not our home" couldn't be more true if there is indeed a God.

When God permits individuals to pass away "before their time" (though that term can be presumptuous, as it implies we understand what our time should be), He grants them the gift of eternal life in His presence. He protects them from descending into a state of evil from which there may be no escape.

Isaiah 57:1-2 says: "The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart; the devout are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil.  Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death."

Trying to answer the question of why this world is so "evil" may not be satisfying or meaningful if you are not seeking God.

I believe that in the midst of the pain and suffering of this broken world, we can find hope and meaning in God's enduring love and promise of salvation.

Life's challenges can deepen our faith, draw us nearer to God, and prepare us for the eternal joy that will come when this life is over. When viewed from this perspective, even the most difficult times can serve as pathways to a deeper appreciation of God's grace and the eventual renewal of all creation.