If God is good, why did he allow this divorce?

If God is good, why does he allow any unjust pain and suffering? This age-old question can’t be fully answered in a short blog, but the Church tell us this:

God has a perfect will

His perfect will wants only your good, your flourishing, and union with him.

God has a permissive will

His permissive will that, to protect humanity’s gift of FREE WILL, allows people to choose good or evil.

That means we will always live in a world that is both beautiful and life-giving but also broken by sin and fraught with dangers. Now, that answer sure doesn’t make your hurt or anger go away, but on an intellectual level, keep reading:

God is not a puppet master

While, in an overarching way, he is completely “in control” he also lets go (in a sense) of that control so we can have free will. God does not WILL evil, but he PERMITS it, to safeguard the gift of our free will. And, boy, has mankind made a mess of that!

God has made you a promise

But God also promises (to those who come to him) to bring forth a GREATER GOOD from the painful mess. Look at the crucifix; how could a loving God let his only Son suffer and die that hideous death?  The Father permitted this because from that greatest evil came the greatest GOOD: the eternal salvation of his children.

When you send your kids off to school for the first time, you do not WILL their being bullied on the playground or other suffering, but you PERMIT it for a greater good: their growing up, developing virtues, and becoming the man or woman God intended. Real love does not keep a child “safely” locked away from all pain. Real love stands by faithfully, helping the child to grow from it.

Keep your eyes open

You think bad things are final but wait and see what gifts can come from an evil like divorce.

Many say that through their divorce they finally found God; they grew closer to Him, changed their lives, and found deep inner peace. They came back to the gifts of His church, had better relationships with their children, and learned what life was really all about.  Not to discount injustices and pain that you have suffered, but these are some unexpected treasures that can be yours! Be patient. Take the high path. Trust God.

References:

Bible: All things work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose.  Rom 8:28

Catechism:  God created man . . . who can control his own actions. “God willed that mans should be ‘left in the hand of his own counsel,’ so that he might of his own accord seek his Creator and freely attain his full and blessed perfection by cleaving to him.” CCC 1730

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