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When Bad Things Happen


         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." (John 9:2-3) 

          Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our affliction so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. (II Corinthians 1:3-4)
          Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? 8 If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons.(Hebrews 12:7-8)         
          "Why?" Some people claim that this is a question one should never ask God. Their belief is that "Why?" requires that God justify His actions. They believe that "Why?" is our demand that God explain and justify His decisions and submit to our judgment of His actions.
          The Israelites asked "Why?" often. They asked when they lost battles. They asked when God's judgment fell on them and they didn't understand.  They went to God as we can and should, and asked, "Why?" in search of understanding and so they could respond correctly. They sought wisdom by asking "Why?"
          Often, others assume that the answer to "Why?" is "Karma." We've done something bad, so God is giving us the negative consequences we deserve. If that were God's plan, Christ would never have come. Today's passages give three reasons why bad things happen to good people: 
          1) So that God's work will be displayed,
          2) So that good people can better comfort those to whom bad things happen,
          3) To teach us - because that's what discipline is all about.
        I have to add a word of caution. I do not believe these are the only reasons why God allows suffering in our lives. I also don't believe that is required to operate on a one-to-one ratio, one and only one reason for any one hardship faced. When we face hard challenges, we do need to ask "Why?" We need to make whatever corrections need to be made. This is called "repentance." But God's not foolish. He's not likely to let a bad circumstance go by without bringing good out of it. (Romans 8:28)

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