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About this quote

What does it mean?
Divine action is perceived as unpredictable and often results in suffering that seems disproportionate to human understanding.
In plain terms
God's ways are hard to understand and often involve cruel outcomes.
What can you take from it?
Accept that suffering may not have a clear or fair reason.

Where it applies

  • explaining tragedy
  • dealing with loss
  • religious debate

Putting it to work

  • comforting the grieving
  • critiquing religious doctrine

Questions to consider

  • Why does goodness allow cruelty?
  • How do you reconcile faith with suffering?

Another view

Believers might argue suffering has a higher purpose not visible to humans.

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