Hearing and Listening: Evil and Suffering

Evil and Suffering are universal. This means no one is immune.

You may have heard:
"God whispers to us in our "good times". He SHOUTS at us in our afflictions or sufferings."

I believe what really happens is that in our time of suffering, we are more attentive to the voice of God.

I have been meditating on John chapter 10 from the Bible. Here we learn about a Shepherd and His flock. I want to share about the use of two words from this chapter. One word is "hear" or sometimes translated "listen". The other word is "know". Please listen to the entire chapter.
Here are some verses that talk about "hear" or "listen".
The original Greek language uses a word for hear, "akouo" which can include the idea of the following: considering what has been said, understanding, perceiving the sense of what has been said, comprehending, learning.
The Amplified Bible [quoted below] connects the "hearing" with "obedience" or "heeding".

"Hearing" is NOT always the same as "Listening".
A common complaint among married women is that her husband does not "hear" her. She means he does not understand her message. He hears the words but not the message.

John 10 Amplified Version
3The watchman opens the door for this man, and the sheep listen to his voice and heed it; and he calls his own sheep by name and brings (leads) them out.
4When he has brought his own sheep outside, he walks on before them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice.
5They will never [on any account] follow a stranger, but will run away from him because they do not know the voice of strangers or recognize their call.
8All others who came [as such] before Me are thieves and robbers, but the [true] sheep did not listen to and obey them.
16And I have other sheep [beside these] that are not of this fold. I must bring and impel those also; and they will listen to My voice and heed My call, and so there will be [they will become] one flock under one Shepherd.
27The sheep that are My own hear and are listening to My voice; and I know them, and they follow Me.

Let's look at verse 4 from the New King James Version
4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.

What does it mean to "know" his voice?

The Greek word is "eidon" which can mean: to see with the mind's eye, signifies a clear and purely mental perception; to perceive, notice, discern, discover; to see about something [to ascertain what must be done about it]; to have regard for one, cherish, pay attention to; to turn the eyes, the mind, the attention to anything.
We see this means much more than to just recognize the voice, such as one recognizes the voice of a close friend who calls on the phone.
The sheep expects to receive personal help and guidance in life from "knowing" the voice of the Shepherd.
So why did Jesus talk about Sheep and a Shepherd? Here is the main message.
John 10: 22-30 Amplified
22After this the Feast of Dedication [of the reconsecration of the temple] was taking place at Jerusalem. It was winter,
23And Jesus was walking in Solomon's Porch in the temple area.
24So the Jews surrounded Him and began asking Him, How long are You going to keep us in doubt and suspense? If You are really the Christ (the Messiah), tell us so plainly and openly.
25Jesus answered them, I have told you so, yet you do not believe Me [you do not trust Me and rely on Me]. The very works that I do by the power of My Father and in My Father's name bear witness concerning Me [they are My credentials and evidence in support of Me].
26But you do not believe and trust and rely on Me because you do not belong to My fold [you are no sheep of Mine].
27The sheep that are My own hear and are listening to My voice; and I know them, and they follow Me.
28And I give them eternal life, and they shall never lose it or perish throughout the ages. [To all eternity they shall never by any means be destroyed.] And no one is able to snatch them out of My hand.
29My Father, Who has given them to Me, is greater and mightier than all [else]; and no one is able to snatch [them] out of the Father's hand.
30I and the Father are One.

So why talk about a Shepherd, knowing and listening to His voice?
What does this have to do with evil and suffering?
Suffering will be served on each of our plates. We will all eat of it. But for those who have a personal relationship with the Shepherd, they will "hear" and "know" many truths from the Shepherd's heart .. if they have the proper attitude toward personal suffering. The Shepherd said He came to give life and life abundant. John 10:10 NASB: "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly."
Can a person have that "abundant life" in the MIDST of suffering? Absolutely! Yes!
The Apostle Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 NKJV:
9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

I have not personally suffered for the cause of Christ. But I have a deeper identification with my brothers and sisters who are suffering persecutions for the NAME. My prayer life is experiencing "life abundant".
I am one of His Sheep. I know His voice and follow Him. No one or thing or life circumstance can ever separate me from His love or snatch me from His hand.
I KNOW that my sins are forgiven and paid for in full. He chose me and gave me grace to trust in the all sufficient work of Jesus, Messiah, in his life, death as my substitute on the cross and resurrection from the dead. No matter the amount or length of my suffering, it lasts only as long as this life on earth. One day I will be resurrected with a new body which will never know suffering of any kind.
I bow in humble praise and adoration before My King, My Sovereign Lord and High Priest who makes intercession for me and gives me comfort in my sufferings. His ways are always goodness.