Be the Bee # 160 | Why Does God Allow Suffering?

[@y2am]

Don't forget to check out this week's workbook: mailchi.mp/goarch/bethebee160

[@kurtjensen1790]

I've struggled with this subject for years now. Especially with all the injustice even I have experienced personally. Sometimes under a concept of God I was raised with different from this one.

[@stevenchristoforou1667]

I hope this video helped!

[@stevenchristoforou1667]

This is a tough topic to cover. But 2020 seems like the time to explore it!

[@TheFeralcatz]

You did a good job. Thank you ☦️

[@matthewchase2833]

Steve, this is probably one of the most impactful videos I've seen from Bee the Bee. You guys have been putting out amazing content recently that lays forward a call to live the life of repentance, follow Christ, and encourage others to do so.

[@yapooa]

I am someone who has talked with God now and then in my life. God comes to me in a Cloud that fills the room or covers me outside. I asked God ,"Why is there suffering." ? God said that this life was a terrible gift and that if it wasn't a gift then we wouldn't be going through it. God also said that he knew we had to go through this world and since we had to go through it He, God would go through it , too.God also said that we should be thankful that we can suffer. That was a hard one for me to hear but God repeated it saying, "Oh ,be so thankful that you can suffer." Even with God there that was hard to hear.-----I know that many people might find it hard to believe that God can come and talk with a person but I found it to be the most real and most normal of anything that has ever happened in my life.

[@cleverestx]

@6:30 - I think you meant John 1:29 ?

[@applesnicolle5144]

Saints don’t suffer same way as rest of us do - they’re free of ego & are Masters of themselves; they take on sufferings of others onto themselves. Now that’s love supreme - Agape

[@dimitrioszabarelos5168]

Love all your videos think this one is one of the best to date. It's not what your saying it's the way you say it god bless brother thank you for this reminder of why we follow Christ ❤️

[@stevenchristoforou1667]

Glory to God, really happy to hear this!

[@JoshAlicea1229]

You have great timing Sreve and team.

[@mikebeshay952]

God bless you Steven. I like the channel. Keep going. May god bless your service to enlighten many people... Greetings from the coptic Orthodox Church in Canada.

[@MarcelBal15]

Where in Canada?

[@mikebeshay952]

@@MarcelBal15 Milton, ON

[@stevenchristoforou1667]

By your prayers!

[@jamespyle3108]

Amazing video!

[@lauracacon]

We shouldn’t stop praying for others healing though.

[@timwashburn8553]

A wonderful video! I've lived my life sacrificing for others. But only because I wanted to be liked by those others. I feel very scared of not getting approval from other people. Now I see a more healthy purpose for my sacrificing for others. Thanks Steve!

[@stevenchristoforou1667]

Yeah, I have the temptation to be a "people pleaser" too. That's something I've worked on, with the help of my therapist.

[@emiliosantoniou]

Exciting speach Brother! Even though difficult to do, sacrifice our own ego, when we sacrifice something ours, GOD'S BLESS COMES UPON US! AMEN!

[@stevenchristoforou1667]

Glory to God!

[@Lavos243]

Just started watching, but as a mentally ill person I'm looking forward to this video.

[@Lavos243]

Very much liked the video. Thanks!

[@stevenchristoforou1667]

@@Lavos243 Glory to God! God bless you!

[@khaliltams6535]

Problem of Good and Evil! Recently learned bout it in philosophy! Great video choice and content!! God bless you guys ❤️

[@stevenchristoforou1667]

Good timing, glory to God!

[@katrionawolff3489]

Another great video

[@stevenchristoforou1667]

Glory to God!

[@oswaldcobblepot502]

Because he loves it, that's why.

[@donxnik]

I don't get the concept of why human has to be sacrificed to world? and I am not talking about helping neighbor even when you just come from work tired.

[@goatsandroses4258]

I'm not dismissing "normal" troubles in life. A cold or the flu, a bad grade on a test, or a hard day at work can really bring us down. Sometimes, though, it seems like our whole lives are imploding, and we find ourselves living in the worst situations we can imagine. Maybe we're literally terrified to go to school, work, or home. Perhaps we're disabled, can't work, our car has been repossessed, and we're being evicted. Perhaps multiple members of our family are critically ill, and we're scrambling to care for all of them, or we may lose several relatives at the same time and the grief is like a tidal wave. Our child may be diagnosed with a terminal illness. Sometimes we're dealing with trauma, emotional numbness, and even PTSD from abuse, crime, war, or a natural disaster. Sometimes the worst thing is feeling somehow personally guilty for everything that happens. It would be nice to think that these things don't happen to Christians, but they do, and sometimes young people have just as difficult times as do adults, often without having the mental, physical, and emotional tools to deal with troubles. If you're going through a REALLY bad time right now, don't give up. Orthodoxy isn't just pretty chants and services, it has a LOT of practical tools and teachings to help you through the tough times in life. You CAN get through them, and usually things WILL smooth out in time. Don't be proud; seek help if you need to from a trusted adult or counselor, and if there isn't any help, keep going and praying anyway. God's still there. God CAN use whatever you're going through for good, and I don't say that lightly. Just hang in there, keep your faith, and keep going.

[@stevenchristoforou1667]

Thank you for the encouraging word. God bless you!

[@kinokali]

It seems to me that a life without suffering would be a life without meaning.

[@donxnik]

so you are telling me you can't embrase god without suffering?

[@signal99uk]

I care about my Mother sisters Brother and no one else

[@mildsalsa6697]

I've always interpreted God as being non-interventionalist outside of the creation and birth of Christ, an interesting perspective though. great video keep it up

[@stevenchristoforou1667]

Thanks for the kind words! I'm curious what makes you think God is so "non-interventionist." The Scripture and life of the Church shows otherwise, doesn't it?

[@willkaporis7958]

I just remember the verse “Those who blaspheme against the Spirit will not be forgiven”, how do I know what that is? I’m worried that I might have said/thought something on a whim that might have been that

[@j.g.4942]

I think traditionally it's understood as rejection of the gifts the Holy Spirit brings (forgiveness, everlasting life, peace, joy, love ...). Simply, if you reject forgiveness God honours that and you are not forgiven. 1 John 1 offers a good explanation of sin, confession, and God's forgiveness; at least for me.

[@stevenchristoforou1667]

Great question. The simplest answer (which is borne out in the writings of the Fathers, as they interpret this) is that this "blaspheme" is a sin for which we don't ask forgiveness. Don't worry about whim. Your thoughts are not your own: passing thoughts come to us at random. For example: Be the Bee #156 | 3 Ways Christians Can Deal with Temptation kzbin.info/www/bejne/lauzd6ilrptgj9E

[@willkaporis7958]

@@stevenchristoforou1667 Thank you, I was getting really worried about that. Sometimes I sin and I remember the warnings against that and in that moment at least part of me still holds God in high regard, I’m just not strong enough in that moment which creates a sort of split mindset. Thanks for the advice!

[@julianrico3590]

Are u a seminarian student? Preparing for priesthood?

[@stevenchristoforou1667]

I graduated seminary and now I'm the Director of Youth and Young Adult Adult Ministries for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. I don't know if I'll ever be ordained to the priesthood. For now, God has me serving in this capacity.

[@tolis1973]

I hope that you are not heretic. I like your video and Ι gland you showed us your church is a litle bit diferent from our churches here in Greece I live near the holly Meteora and you know we have some diferens on chears candls ech. I hope only these are our differens. I whould like to aske you if know a channel like yours here in Greece I look for Ortotox Greek youtuber and I cant find. God bless you love from Greece (sorry my english are not good enouth).

[@stevenchristoforou1667]

I also hope I'm not a heretic. :-) I'm the Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Sorry, I don't know of any Greek-language KZbin channels. God bless you!

[@tolis1973]

@@stevenchristoforou1667 Συγχαριτήρια για το κανάλι σου, Οπως ξέρεις ο Ιερώνυμος δεν ήθελε να ¨στεναχωρήσει¨ τον Μητσιοτάκη και οι εκκλησίες μας ειναι κλειστές, δυστυχώς δεν έχουμε θρησκευτικό ηγέτη. Τον συγχωρώ για να συγχωρήσει και ο Κύριος τις δικές μου αμαρτίες. Καλά αληθινά Χριστούγεννα εύχομαι σε εσένα και στην οικογένεια σου!

[@stevenchristoforou1667]

@@tolis1973 To you as well, thank you!

[@applesnicolle5144]

ITS CALLED KARMA - WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND…

[@stevenchristoforou1667]

I'm very amused that you've repeatedly accused me of somehow betraying the Faith and now you're here talking about a Buddhist concept.

[@applesnicolle5144]

@@stevenchristoforou1667 / Karma is a commonly used word in western secular world. But your just a kid - You know nothing of the real world & your allegiance to Leftism is your true faith. I’m saying Goodbye bc no dialogue is possible here. I’m glad I left the Greek church & so are millions of us