Skip to main content

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)

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

"Especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Gal 6:10)   “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.   By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)           Joshua grinned when he saw Rex standing by the door, studying something on the ground. "Hey, man! Are we ready to do this thing?"          Rex looked up. "Josh, I can't do it. We're still best buds, but I can't stand your fiancée."           I've met "Rex" many times. I've been Rex. Joshua (Jesus) loves the Church. He's not a fool. He knows the Church is far from perfect, but she is His chosen bride. The Rexes of this world, who think themselves His friend, turn away from her. "You don't need the Church to...
Post a Comment
Read more

Ssssssubmmissssssionnn

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ . (Ephesians 5:21)             "Ssssssubmmisssssssionnn." Can't you just hear the serpent hissing this most horrible of words? If you listen to the serpent or the world, submission means groveling, allowing yourself to be abused, denying yourself your own humanity. Nothing could be worse than submission, could it?             Submission has never been a problem for me, as long as things are going the way I want them to. The rest of the time? Well, let's just say that while I don't know how to fight physically, I don't know how to not fight mentally. One of the fights I've been having with myself for years is about submission.             My first breakthrough took place on a trip to a bookstore. As I walked into the store, my thoughts were very clear. 1) I was goi...
Post a Comment
Read more

Shark Fins, Triple Dog Dares, Heroes, Villains and Sidekicks

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)            There's a scene in Jaws in which someone sees a shark fin and starts a panic. As   all the swimmers scramble to shore, boats surround the fin, which falls over to reveal two kids. With several guns pointed at them, one of the kids points at the other. The message is clear: it was his idea. In Christmas Story, there's a scene in which one kid "triple dog dares" another to do something stupid. Since it's a triple dog dare, well, what choice does the boy have? There doesn't seem to be any end to the trouble that peer pressure can cause. ...
Post a Comment
Read more