Board Thread:Fun and Games/@comment-28826152-20161221223809/@comment-28794147-20170101223358

Basically, we are being punished for our sins. Repentance only saves us from eternal damnation (Hell, everlasting punishment), and starts us back at "square one" with God. However, there is still a punishment to be had. Because of the billions of sins we commit collectively every day, God is sure to send us small sufferings and pains to punish us. Sin makes us miserable, and this is one of the ways it does so.

God could just wipe out all sin forever, but he won't, because if he forced us to love Him, we wouldn't be actually loving him. God wants an authentic desire for Him from us, so that our relationship is true, and we can truly get to know Him.

If you ever have a terrible misfortune, God is either punishing you, or is changing your life for the better. Nothing good can come without some amount of suffering involved.