We often question why tragedy befalls people we know. We really find ourselves wondering why bad things happen to good people, especially when they profess a love for Christ.
I believe the following is a perspective that is biblically sound.
God, in his infinite wisdom, knows what it takes to bring each of His own into a right kind of mindset. Often times when cancer strikes, an unexpected death, or other life changing events, we find ourselves remembering those things in life that are truly important. If you are honest with yourself, it will always involve people.
I spoke at the funeral of a dear friend, family member and pastor, William Kaber. I shared in the message a scripture which reads as follows:
“It is better to go to a house of mourning, than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of every man; the living should take this to heart.” Ecclesiastes 7:2 (NIV)
This was a sobering truth that reminds us that life is short and precious. When we fail to see what is important on our own, God has a way of refocusing us to what is important.
Remember the four lepers of
They deliberated, If we say, ‘Let us enter the city,’ the famine is in the city, and we shall die there. And if we sit here, we die also. So now come, let us go over to the camp of the Syrians. If they spare our lives we shall live, and if they kill us we shall but die. (2 Kings 7:4)
The question wasn’t whether or not they'd die. That was the obvious that their leprosy helped them recognize. The issue, then, was simply when and where: Next week in the city? Tomorrow at the gate? Or today at the hands of our enemies?
They concluded that their enemies could do nothing more to them than what nature had already assigned. And, unlike their city and their skin, their enemies might even show them mercy. For them, the most frightful prospect was actually the wisest, most fruitful way to go.
In this case Leprosy made life a lot simpler. Being terminally ill, facing the death of a loved one, or other life changing events, often cultivates the clarity of mind that enables people to approach things that are good for them.
I believe that this is one reason why bad things happen to good people? Remember, all good things come from God. What we say is a bad thing, God sees as good.
3 comments:
We so often see things in a one deminsional view. God sees all in a vibrant 3-D view that knows no constraints of time. So, I think you have one of His greater reasons for allowing what seems like suffering to occur. Unfortunately, it's not a message many want to hear.
I believe God has many similar themes he uses to bring us to Him (no where else to turn feeling) to get us to realize what is important (more is less) and sometimes to prepare us to minister to others (I've walked in those shoes.)
I'll be sending others over to read this.
OOopps! I got that backward:
"to get us to realize what is important (more is less)"
Should read: (less is more)
I agree with your post. We often as Christians feel that the most important thing is physical things on this earth. The most important thing is our eternal souls. The Lord will use whatever it takes to get our soul to Heaven (whatever it takes for our salvation), and for the salvation of others (for one thing, our good witness in times of our adversity). In other words, the most important thing is SALVATION of ourselves and others.
Also, we don't always know what the Lord is doing, or why things are happening to us. He is the Lord of the universe and we must trust Him totally. He sees the big picture, we do not. It is like a tapestry. He sees the other side, we see the bottom and we do not understand. It is not until we get to heaven that we will understand why He allowed some things to happen to us.
We must also remember that if things do happen to us, if He allows difficult things to happen to us, that He works all things together for good to those who love the Lord.
And finally, we are not promised an easy road in this world. We must take up our cross and follow after Him. He tells us this in the Bible. He tells us that we will have trials. Each trial will make us more Christlike and transform us into His image if we allow it to. That will bring us closer to Him. We will be able to handle larger trials in the future, and also, become better witnesses, and better be able to help others to the Lord. And after all, that is the most important thing, SALVATION for all.
Just remember, all things work together for good for them that love the Lord. And I do not say this easily, my husband had 2 cancers, and a bone marrow transplant. He barely survived, and even now has only 30% kidney function. Even now we praise the Lord, and would not live our lives any other way, b/c it is OUR lives with the Lord. Hope this makes sense,
Krissy :)
http://journals.aol.com/fisherkristina/SometimesIThink
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