In times of trials, tribulations, grief, and sorrow, Christians and un-believers alike question the judgment of God. Christians may ask: Why are You doing this, God? or Why are You allowing this? An un-believer may ask: If there is a God, how could He let this happen? or What kind of a God would allow such a thing?

Even with the outpouring of God's Spirit and the beautiful revelations He has given us, no one can accurately answer any of these questions. At the very least, no answer would be able to satisfy the suffering heart.

So, how do we cope when life mistreats us? How can we go on when we feel we are going down? The answer to these questions is: understanding.

Now, you may be asking, "Well, what are we supposed to be understanding?"

Understanding #1 - The gift AND responsibility of freewill

Throughout Christian teaching, freewill is emphasized as a gift, and although this may be true, it is also a great responsibility. Freewill is the power or discretion to choose. The definition of responsibility is the condition or fact of being called to account for something.

As you can see with the definitions above, freewill is a tool of power, and like all tools of power, a responsibility is attached. In having the power to choose, you become subject to consequences, whether good or bad. And the order is that good consequences follow good decisions, and bad consequences follow bad decisions.

Upon this foundational understanding of freewill, it is also important to understand that individual freewill choices have MORE than individual freewill consequences. This is where responsibility comes into heavy play. When a decision is made, the good or bad consequences will NOT JUST affect you, they affect the entire world.