Five Reasons Why God Created Roaches
Ever wonder why God created roaches? God has a purpose for everything, right? He has a purpose for the rain. The moon. The stars. Even our lives (read The Purpose Driven Life). But what could God possibly have had in mind when He created cockroaches? These hideous critters carry germs and diseases. Some buzz. Some even fly. They multiply eggs by the thousands and attempt to infest homes all over America.
They are downright repulsive too. I mean, have you ever met anyone who “likes” roaches? If a roach had a Facebook page, would anyone “like” it?
A Trailer + Spiders + Roaches = One Wild Sight
Years ago in college, I stumbled on what I believe to be five (5) answers for why God created roaches, or as I like to joke and say, “Purpose Driven Cockroach.”
I was spending the night at a friend’s house. An upperclassman. She had moved from the dormitory to a trailer not too far from campus. My friend was asleep. Snoring. And there I was lying in her pull-out guest bed in the kitchen/living room. Wide awake. Staring at the ceiling. Just thinking. When suddenly out of nowhere appeared three long-legged hairy spiders! Yep, three. And they were crawling the walls.
Mind you, I knew exactly what kind of spiders they were. Huntsman spiders. You see, they are commonplace in Lakeland, Florida. But despite seeing them all the time, they still spooked me out.
What If?
As these spiders paraded around the ceiling, the “what ifs” began running through my mind: What if…
The spiders crawl into my bed while I’m sleeping?
My mouth is open while sleeping and one of them crawls in my mouth?
One bites me?
They spin a web around my face? What if…
And before I could get to the next “what if,” I was startled again. This time by a roach. You gotta understand, where I lived in Florida, roaches don’t just crawl, they fly! Certain ones. They spread their wings and get to buzzing and they can take flight. I have chills just thinking about it. So here I am, half past midnight watching a horror movie of spiders and roaches in full effect.
My eyes stayed glued to the roach as he carefully crawled up the wall. I may have prayed at this point. Something like,
“Dear Lord Jesus, please don’t let the roach fly. Please don’t let the roach fly.”
And that’s when it happened.
One of the spiders lunged forward and landed on top of the roach! I was so freaked out. I mean, here are my two least favorite insects, one on top of the other. And that’s when I realized the spider was eating the roach! And then it became clear to me. That’s one reason why God created roaches.
As I sat contemplating that one reason, other reasons came to mind.
Here they are all of those reasons…
The Most Likely Reasons For the Existence of Cockroaches
The scoop on why God created roaches!
1 — The food chain.
Apparently roaches make a nice snack for huntsman spiders! And they’re food for other critters too I’ve learned.
2 — They Motivate Us Clean.
It’s true! People living with a roach problem typically don’t leave food out, keep dishes washed, and take trash out quickly. After all, who wants roaches? Nobody! Oh, wait. The spiders want them. But you know what I mean.
3 — They Show God’s Creative Side.
Roaches show God’s glory. And His creativity. Think about it. Only God, the greatest, ultimate Creator could come up with something like a cockroach. As undesirable as they are to most of us, if you really think about it, roaches quite fascinating. Look them up in Wikipedia and you’ll see what I mean.
4 — They Show God’s Sovereignty.
Just the simple fact that humans can’t get rid of them (i.e., 100% extinction from planet Earth) shows the sovereignty of God. Hey, if God wants roaches around, then dog-gone-it, there’s nothing we can do about it. Man has tried (unsuccessfully) to eradicate them from the planet. Kind of like the killer bee that continues to reproduce themselves despite man’s best attempts to wipe them out.
5 — They Make Good Sermon Illustrations.
Yep, sermon illustrations. Preachers can compare roaches to many things, making them “allegorical” (say that 3 times fast). I did a Google search on roaches and “sermon illustrations” and actually found quite a few.
So there you have it! Now you know the most likely reasons why God created roaches.
If you have other suggested reasons as to why our sovereign Lord and Savior created these hideous things, please leave a comment.
How to Get Rid of Roaches Naturally
If you are looking for a way to get rid of roaches naturally, try this book ($2.99 on Kindle) or this product which is an organic home natural inspect killer that is child and pet safe ($19.99 and has 4 out of 5 reviews from 55 customers at the time of this posting).
A Little Roach Humor
A housewife called up a pet store and said, “Send me thirty-thousand cockroaches at once.”
“What in the world do you want with thirty-thousand cockroaches?” asked the astonished clerk.
“Well,” replied the woman, “I am moving today from my apartment and my lease says I must leave the premises in exactly the same condition I found it.”
Your Thoughts
So tell me, in your opinion, why did God create roaches? Do you like spiders or roaches? Add your comment!
Wow, you are good. When I was a little boy I thought roaches were cool especially the cock roach till I saw one mating. I got grossed out. No more cool. Roach eggs are big enough to see. On the other hand you will be hard pressed to see a cock roach egg. You might see some on an envelop glue (strange place mind you) that’s why I do not lick envelopes any more. This is a true story. A lady went to the doctor because she had a moving lump on her tongue. The doctor lanced it and out came a full grown cock roach. Paper cuts are mean aren’t they? I hope you were sitting down when you read this. LOL
Very funny article!! It had me cracking up! I hate spiders AND roaches!!LOL
Thank you. And I hear you! I am very thankful that I have rarely seen either since I’ve lived in Philadelphia. Some places have terantulas. Could you imagine??
[…] summer, June's Journal attempted to explain why God created cockroaches, citing five potential reasons, including evidence of God's sovereignty because no matter what […]
I love it!!!! I’ve often asked my mom the same question from the time I could think to ask this question even now as an adult and she just laughs and says “I’m not sure baby, but he has his reasons.” I love it!!! Thanks for sharing
Deandra, your mom sounds great. I can tell she trusts her sovereign Lord wholeheartedly, even for things she can’t explain or understand… like roaches! I’m glad you enjoyed the article. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave such a nice comment.
I actually don’t mind spiders. Granted, some are not really cute to look at but I never kill them. Roaches??? Yeah, I can’t stand them and will kill them inside and outside! Those are the only insects I kill (ok, besides mosquitoes).
Thanks for sharing, Truth Seeker. I’m glad you are able to find God’s eight-legged creatures cute! I find them terrifying. Well, not all of them, but definitely the really big ones. I agree with you on the mosquitoes…. that’s another insect that is truly a pest! And some even carry harmful diseases. But I know God has a plan, purpose and a a reason, even for the mosquitoes!
truth seeker…i’m assuming you know about legend of the seeker and the sword of truth series
Health and wealth huh? the purpose driven life? oh boy. Check out ( Contending for truth dot c o m). Type in Rick Warren in the search box and listen to a study about him. I know this is about the roach, but I couldn’t help myself.
I needed this. I have some issues with roaches in the south where Ilive. I am from the north and keep asking why me Lord? Thanks for your humor I did need it. :)
Hey RAS! Thanks for your comment. I’m sorry to hear you are dealing with roaches, but glad my article helped you to smile in the midst of the bug battle. I pray you are able to conquer them and that the Lord uses them to grow your patience, endurance and character (smile). God bless!
I have always wondered about the reason. I’ve just been bitten by one at 3am Malaysian time! Gosh. Thanks for sharing though. Still a grossed out. Ugh.
Really? Wow! I wasn’t aware that roaches bit humans. Yikes. Take care.
God is awesome and this was an insightful article and good read. That proves everything created has what is called ‘Purpose’ to do what God has them or it to do.
Indeed He is very awesome!
Oh, my goodness cockroaches are so repulsive looking. If you find one in your home or apt. you can bet the are others. Keep them away from me!
This is a bad coversation lol well have you ever seen a translucet spider think about cali there are alot of translucent bugs insects an ect. Here I have been seeing them look at me like a lord roach about the size of my hand and then goes clear like it was never there… what the hell when I saw that made me wonder if everything exsist to the world once it dies its erased from or vision but not from our world ??im in a motel and a roach died next to the bed and white translucent dots picked it up and carried it away I was to scared to sleep there anymore
Hopefully there are no translucent tarantulas in existence! Ha. Could you imagine if there were translucent roaches? Thanks for sharing and hope you survived!
I think the canned answer is because sin came into the world, things like cockroaches are out of balance and a common irritation. I just know I am pissed about them and wish and pray they would all go away. Cheap apartments suck! Having to deal with them can be another reason to feel like saying the hell with it all. I do not think it is due to the evidence of God that I continue to believe, but that the world is so fucked up under mankind’s blight that there simply must be some ready to intervene good master in control after all. if not, well, we’re hopelessly doomed.
Love spiders of all kinds, especially ones who eat roaches. Spiders trust me and my wife enough to crawl up on our fingers. We love them. Carefully placed boric acid powder gets rid of roaches, by the way.
Roaches & spiders are here to scare me!!! I’m glad to share the planet with them as long as they stay outside my home!!!
Neither but I’d prefer nonvenomous spiders but I found that frogs like them too
Frogs like roaches, or spiders?? Either way, interesting!
There is NO LOGICAL reason for the creation of termites,flies,and roaches – if they carry sickness and disease-because God wouldn’t have created such things being the Author of purity,health and wholeness.I believe these ugly groutese creatures came into being when man fell and brought the curse into the world – bringing briars,thorns, and ROACHES !They are like pigeons in the insect world – all they want is food from you,and will crawl all over you to get it especially in the dark.Spiders are cool- but rats,flies,hos,and roaches-get rid of all of them.
Dude think back to the creation of earth one thing we know 1 mans sin could effect everybody and rember what Adam and Eve did also rember God punishes what unholy and what is a threat to God which is an “Abomonation” given humans aren’t the holiest of beings we put owed selves as the prime race of the planet we automaticly consider ourselves omnipotent and use the intellectual gift that we were graced with to slowly destroy earth torture,expirememt”defile”etc. the other beings of our planet without giveing second thought we have wars that disrupt the semi peaceful environment for a petty disput like contries fighting over land which is as petty as two kids fighting over blocks thought adults thought us to share . And amazingly we are the main species who have “roach problems ”
Maybe that’s gods punishment on its lenience .
Hi Speedster,
Thanks for weighing in, but I totally disagree.
God created eeeeeeeeverything. And all things God has created are good. Yes, even roaches. While ugly & disgusting to us, they are all part of His awesome, amazing design which we as mere mortals can not always comprehend His purpose or plan for such “gross inclusions” in our world, but trust me that God does not miss crossing any T or dotting any I, so it is all part of the wonderful thing He created called Creation.
The Bible backs me up on this, too. #Genesis ;-)
-JD
Roaches have no true evolutionary purpose that race of sp
The cockroach has no real purpose its entire species only consumes so you could peg it as a scavenger but there are hundreds of other animals doing so already they do pose a threat to all life (except some plants ) by carrying 33 different diseases
I am a very clean person and the VA put me up in this glorious place called Timber Ridge. Since I’ve lived here I have seen hundreds of roaches. Never in my life have I been around roaches and thank the Lord above I haven’t. To be honest I don’t see how people can live with them. After awhile I guess you get used to them being around. That hasn’t happened for me. It has driven me to HATE those who don’t pick up after themselves. I have prayed to God to help me have mercy and patience with others. Let me tell you it isn’t easy when I find new disgusting roaches EVERYDAY!!…. I’M LEAVING AND MOVING TO A NEW PLACE VERY SOON!!! PRAISE GOD… SINCERELY.
Oh my. Can your landlord call an exterminator? Seeing one or two, especially if you live in the South, is livable, even tho they make your skin want to crawl! But seeing new ones daily sounds like a serious problem that needs a professional’s attention. There are also natural ways to get rid of them; I put a link or two at the end of the post. Take care!
Maybe God also created them for another reason, like their genes, maybe we humans can one day discover something so fascinating about their genes that can help us or other creatures ,via genetic engineering, for example disease resistance; i am amazed how roaches live in disgusting places filled with fungus, viruses and bacteria without getting infected with just carrying them to other creatures (including us humans), i am sure that one day we will discover such mystery about them one day… what do you think?
I think we are all still in the womb, and this planet is a atom, and the roaches and bugs are antibodies and viruses
totally enjoyed this
LOL from Connie & Alex ( my 11 year old son)
This article has us laughing and yeah i agree with you, they make a good snack for other animals.
And for sure it got me thinking that just like there are things in our lives we do not like, there are things in our world that we wish weren’t there. Like roaches, serpents, sharks, and those disgusting blood-sucking mosquitoes.
And I believe we were created to coexist with these things and learn that God is our protector from all these insects. Psalm 91 says: ” No pestilence will come near my tent” And i always decree this over my home! God Bless.
Alex: anyways just deal with it roaches is in the world nothing to do about it.
Hi June, funny and inspiring stuff! I’m a Maine snowbird in Zephyrhills til May. Up north we contend with smaller even tinier pests like ticks, black flies and gnats. So spiders are almost always welcome in my home. (Plus, I have a spiderweb holding my phone’s homepage apps.)
Well, yesterday the Lord April-fooled me when down the hallway paraded a palmetto bug. I was a bit freaked. So I was exhorted and encouraged by all 5 of your reasons, especially God’s sovereignty. He takes responsibility for EVERY thing in Christ. Most of all, our redemption! Thanks for your humor and down-to-earth essay.
HAHAH this had be rolling on the floor funny article God is amazing
I have several friends who keep moving cause they have cockroaches. I wonder if the cockroaches are reading and eating the Bible more than they are? Cause they leave the place with the stuff afraid to carry it into their next apartment. That is how I came across your page. I was praying should I buy another Bible for my friend who seems it is too valuable to the cockroaches and leaves it for them to. read.
It shows that GOD has a purpose for everything. As bad or disgusting or disgraceful as something maybe or seem GOD will use it to turn it for the food for his glory ❤️✝️
To turn it for the food for his glory *
Why would god create cockroaches if he knew people weren’t going to like them even though the spider eating roaches if reasonable I wanna know from humans prospective & not just the spider, why and what was the reason roaches were made on humans behalf & what does god say about people killing roaches and not liking them?