Why does God allow birth defects?

Answer

The definitive response to this challenging question is that when Adam and Eve committed sin (Genesis chapter 3), they introduced evil, sickness, disease, and death into the world. Sin has been causing chaos in the human race ever since. Birth defects occur as a result of sin…not due to the sins of the parents or the baby, but because of sin itself. The challenging aspect of the question is why God permits people to be born with severe birth defects and/or deformities. Why doesn’t God prevent birth defects from happening?

The book of Job addresses the issue of not comprehending why God allows certain events to unfold. God permitted Satan to do anything to Job except kill him. How did Job respond? “Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him” «Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: But I will maintain mine own ways before him. », (Job 13:15). “The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised” «and said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. », (Job 1:21). Job did not comprehend why God allowed the things He did, but he believed that God was good and therefore continued to trust in Him. Ultimately, that should be our response as well. God is good, just, loving, and merciful. Often, events occur in our lives that we simply cannot comprehend. However, instead of questioning God’s goodness, our response should be to trust Him. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

In conclusion, the solution toThis question has to be “I don’t know.” We will never fully understand God and His ways. It is wrong for us to question why God allows something to occur. We simply have to trust that He is loving, good, and merciful – just like Job did – even when the evidence seems to indicate the opposite. Sickness and disease are the result of sin. God provided the “cure” for sin by sending Jesus Christ to die for us «But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. », (Romans 5:8). Once we are in heaven, we will be free from sickness, disease, and death. Until that day, we will have to deal with sin, its effects, and its consequences. We can praise God, though, that He can and will use birth defects and other tragedies for our good and His glory. John 9:2-3 declares, “His disciples asked Him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned,’ said Jesus, ‘but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.'”