--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If God seems to be in no hurry to make…" description: "\"If God seems to be in no hurry to make the problem of evil go away, maybe we shouldn't be, either. Maybe our compulsion to wash God's hands for him is ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b9/anonymous-1_appreciate_if-god-seems-to-be-in-no-hurry-to-make-t_706697.jpg" --- # If God seems to be in no hurry to make the problem of evil… ![“If God seems to be in no hurry to make the problem of evil go away, maybe we shouldn't be, either. Maybe our compulsion to wash God's hands for him is a service he doesn't appreciate. Maybe - all theodicies and nearly all theologians to the contrary - evil is where we meet God. Maybe he isn't…” quote by Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b9/anonymous-1_appreciate_if-god-seems-to-be-in-no-hurry-to-make-t_706697.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b9/anonymous-1_appreciate_if-god-seems-to-be-in-no-hurry-to-make-t_706697.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b9/anonymous-1_appreciate_if-god-seems-to-be-in-no-hurry-to-make-t_706697.jpg) > “If God seems to be in no hurry to make the problem of evil go away, maybe we shouldn't be, either. Maybe our compulsion to wash God's hands for him is a service he doesn't appreciate. Maybe - all theodicies and nearly all theologians to the contrary - evil is where we meet God. Maybe he isn't bothered by showing up dirty for his dates with creation. Maybe - just maybe - if we ever solved the problem, we'd have talked ourselves out of a lover.” [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote suggests that suffering and evil are integral to encountering the divine, and that attempting to eliminate them may diminish our relationship with God. **In simple terms:** Evil may be essential to meeting God; avoid trying to erase it. Key Takeaway Accept the role of hardship in spiritual growth. Themes theology spirituality uffering faith Mood contemplative serious Type philosophical theological When to use this quote - personal crisis - grief - faith questioning - ethical dilemmas Key Concepts theodicy divine mystery human agency Questions to Reflect On - How does suffering shape your view of the divine? - Can we find meaning without pain? A Different Perspective If evil is removed, the depth of divine connection may be lost. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Compulsion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compulsion/) [Creation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creation/) [Evil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evil/) [God'S Hands](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god-s-hands/) [Going away](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/going-away/) [Lovers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lovers/) [Pain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pain/) [Problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem/) [Problem of evil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem-of-evil/) [Suffering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suffering/) [Theologian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theologian/) ## Related quotes > [Let us remember that every worldview-not just Christianity's-must give an explanation or an answer for evil and suffering...this is not just a problem distinctive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-zacharias/let-us-remember-that-every-worldview-not-just-christianity-s-must/) [Ravi Zacharias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-zacharias/) > [The problem of good and evil is not the problem of good and evil, but only the problem of evil. In opposition to good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-riding/the-problem-of-good-and-evil-is-not-the-problem-of-good-and-evil-but/) [Laura Riding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-riding/) > [Almost everyone agrees the world is not the way it ought to be. It's called the problem of evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-koukl/almost-everyone-agrees-the-world-is-not-the-way-it-ought-to-be-it-s/) [Greg Koukl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-koukl/) > [“The problem of evil can be stated simply: God is omnipotent; God is perfectly good; such a God would not permit evil to exist;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-burton-russell/the-problem-of-evil-can-be-stated-simply-god-is-omnipotent-god-is/) [Jeffrey Burton Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-burton-russell/) > [“We have spent centuries of philosophy trying to solve "the problem of evil," yet I believe the much more confounding and astounding issue is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-rohr/we-have-spent-centuries-of-philosophy-trying-to-solve-the-problem-of/) [Richard Rohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-rohr/) > [“If there is a "problem of evil" there is also a "problem of good." Wherever we look we see not only confusion but beauty.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kallistos-ware/if-there-is-a-problem-of-evil-there-is-also-a-problem-of-good/) [Kallistos Ware](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kallistos-ware/) > [“The problem of evil has baffled humankind since Eden; perhaps because it can only be approached through facing the mystery of good, and we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-m-dooling/the-problem-of-evil-has-baffled-humankind-since-eden-perhaps-because/) D.M. Dooling > [In matter-ism (materialism), there can be nothing wrong with the world since there is no right way for the world to be in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-koukl/in-matter-ism-materialism-there-can-be-nothing-wrong-with-the-world/) [Greg Koukl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-koukl/) > [The great human problem of evil stems from the illusion of separateness. Whenever this illusion is overcome, we behave lovingly to one another.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-marx-hubbard/the-great-human-problem-of-evil-stems-from-the-illusion-of/) [Barbara Marx Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-marx-hubbard/) > [“If God made everything, did He make the Devil?' This is the kind of embarrassing question which any child can ask before breakfast, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-l-sayers/if-god-made-everything-did-he-make-the-devil-this-is-the-kind-of/) [Dorothy L. Sayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-l-sayers/) > [The best answer to the problem of evil is not one so much found on paper but on wood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-kreeft/the-best-answer-to-the-problem-of-evil-is-not-one-so-much-found-on/) [Peter Kreeft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-kreeft/) > [ Trouble, hardship, difficulty, pain, suffering, conflict, tragedy, evil - they're all part of the \[Christian\] Story. Indeed, the problem of evil is the reason… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-koukl/trouble-hardship-difficulty-pain-suffering-conflict-tragedy-evil-they/) [Greg Koukl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-koukl/) > [We often represent God to ourselves as being able to draw from non-being a world without sorrows, faults, dangers - a world in which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-teilhard-de-chardin/we-often-represent-god-to-ourselves-as-being-able-to-draw-from-non/) [Pierre Teilhard de Chardin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-teilhard-de-chardin/) > [The problem of evil is raised more often by spectators of life than the actual combatants. You will hardly ever find that the great…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-stewart/the-problem-of-evil-is-raised-more-often-by-spectators-of-life-than/) [James Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-stewart/) > [“The core problem seems to lie in the classical-philosophical equation of power with control, and thus omnipotence with omnicontrol, an equation that forces the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-a-boyd/the-core-problem-seems-to-lie-in-the-classical-philosophical-equation/) [Gregory A. Boyd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-a-boyd/) ## More by Anonymous > [And a tear rolled down her cheek, as she said goodbye; because she's walking away, and she's never looking back](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/and-a-tear-rolled-down-her-cheek-as-she-said-goodbye-because-she-s/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You'll seldom experience regret for anything that you've done. It is what you haven't done that will torment you. The message, therefore, is clear.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-ll-seldom-experience-regret-for-anything-that-you-ve-done-it-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Scrabble - The game is available in Braille. That’s a nice fact. This makes me feel better about humanity for some reason. I can’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/scrabble-the-game-is-available-in-braille-that-s-a-nice-fact-this/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Everyone needs someone to love, and I choose you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/everyone-needs-someone-to-love-and-i-choose-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“THIS tale of my sore-troubled life I write,    To thank the God of nature, who conveyed    My soul to me, and with such care…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/this-tale-of-my-sore-troubled-life-i-write-to-thank-the-god-of-nature/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Put on my J's and dance the whole night away Im naughty by nature like Im hip-hop hooray With my hands in the sky,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/put-on-my-j-s-and-dance-the-whole-night-away-im-naughty-by-nature/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Me.. I have been through a lot, but I still manage to have a smile on my face. Im not worried about the past…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/me-i-have-been-through-a-lot-but-i-still-manage-to-have-a-smile-on-my/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Distance is a test of love. many will fail for those who can't withstand it, but for those who can, theres only one answer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/distance-is-a-test-of-love-many-will-fail-for-those-who-can-t/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Im sorry I ever tried...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/im-sorry-i-ever-tried/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Being betrayed by the one you love is the worst feeling in the world...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/being-betrayed-by-the-one-you-love-is-the-worst-feeling-in-the-world/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Let children support their parents or be imprisoned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/let-children-support-their-parents-or-be-imprisoned/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The only person I've ever purposely caused pain here is myself...By simply sharing, caring too much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-only-person-i-ve-ever-purposely-caused-pain-here-is-myself-by/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Start a business, not a startup”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/start-a-business-not-a-startup/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The truth is, of course, that the curtness of the Ten Commandments is an evidence, not of the gloom and narrowness of a religion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-truth-is-of-course-that-the-curtness-of-the-ten-commandments-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Explore all 162,899 Anonymous quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More Appreciate quotes > [All I hear is the people that appreciate me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-hardy/all-i-hear-is-the-people-that-appreciate-me/) [Greg Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-hardy/) > [I think that kind of balance comes with the process of growing together as a band, the Little Dragon. We love to write, we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yukimi-nagano/i-think-that-kind-of-balance-comes-with-the-process-of-growing/) [Yukimi Nagano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yukimi-nagano/) > [Time is really gold,spent it wisely with the people around you.Spread love,appreciate the beauty around you!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jglargosta/time-is-really-gold-spent-it-wisely-with-the-people-around-you-spread/) [Jglargosta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jglargosta/) > [Because there are three classes of intellects: one which comprehends by itself; another which appreciates what others comprehend; and a third which neither comprehends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/because-there-are-three-classes-of-intellects-one-which-comprehends/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [Eventually the consumer will come to appreciate the editorial point of view of every different brand. User-generated content without editorial oversight will simply be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-eisner/eventually-the-consumer-will-come-to-appreciate-the-editorial-point/) [Michael Eisner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-eisner/) > [The connoisseur of art must be able to appreciate what is simply beautiful, but the common run of people is satisfied with ornament](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/the-connoisseur-of-art-must-be-able-to-appreciate-what-is-simply/) [Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [The laws of thermodynamics, as empirically determined, express the approximate and probable behavior of systems of a great number of particles, or, more precisely,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-willard-gibbs/the-laws-of-thermodynamics-as-empirically-determined-express-the/) J. Willard Gibbs > [This time, there were no drugs involved. The hours were completely normal daytime hours. I think we were able to appreciate the interplay, where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsey-buckingham/this-time-there-were-no-drugs-involved-the-hours-were-completely/) [Lindsey Buckingham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsey-buckingham/) > [I would like beautiful gymnastics to be recognized as the best. I want the judges to appreciate things that are not necessarily winning points.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kohei-uchimura/i-would-like-beautiful-gymnastics-to-be-recognized-as-the-best-i-want/) [Kohei Uchimura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kohei-uchimura/) > [One of the most important rules for success is this: Every great success is the result of hundreds and thousands of small efforts and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/one-of-the-most-important-rules-for-success-is-this-every-great/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [It's great at this stage in my life to still be in the running, that people appreciate you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dolly-parton/it-s-great-at-this-stage-in-my-life-to-still-be-in-the-running-that/) [Dolly Parton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolly-parton/) > [The sectaries of a persecuted religion, depressed by fear, animated with resentment, and perhaps heated by enthusiasm, are seldom in a proper temper of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/the-sectaries-of-a-persecuted-religion-depressed-by-fear-animated/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [Love is too wonderful for us but why we often times do not ever appreciate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohamad-idrus/love-is-too-wonderful-for-us-but-why-we-often-times-do-not-ever/) [Mohamad Idrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohamad-idrus/) > [I think the most important thing is to stay hopeful, to believe wonderful things are possible and do your best. 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