"Why me Lord? Why is all this happening to me? You know I love you and I am a good Christian; at least I think I am. Why do you let all this happen to me? One of your followers?
I know you are all-powerful, and to you everything is possible. Thy will be done. And there is nothing any of us can do about it. Whatever is your will, it will be done here on earth and in Heaven.
I know you can make all things happen to me. Misfortune, loss of job, poverty, ill-health, family problems, children problems, loss of loved ones.
You can make all these thing happen, like you did to Job. Although, strictly speaking, you allowed the devil to do all these things to Job within strict limitations set by you. But that is a moot point. The fact you allowed it to happen to Job still makes you responsible, does it not?
So why do you allow bad things to happen to me, Lord? What have I done wrong? Forgive me if I have offended you in any way. Make it stop!"
All right ... we may not have said it exactly as above; but how many of us would admit that these thoughts have crossed our minds when things did not go well in our lives?
Why does God allow bad things to happen to us? How does it serve His purpose on earth? Other people would look at us in our sufferings and difficulties and think, "well ... their God is not exactly loving right now, is He?"
I don't claim to have the answers to these questions.
Maybe, the reason why God allows such things to happen to us is so that others, non-believers, would look at us and see our reactions.
Would we deny God? Turn our back on Him? Give up on Him as He appears to have given up on us? Our reaction to misfortune is what others see in us. Is our Faith just skin deep? Just a show? Or is it real?
Or perhaps God is testing us? But then, what is the point in that if He already knows how we would react anyway?
Or is God perhaps using these moments when things are going bad for us as an opportunity for us to be an example to others?
Or is He perhaps helping us through our misfortunes in order that they may serve as a reminder, in times to come, when we look back and realise that He was by our side all the time?
I know in life I have had many dark moments. Moments when I even forgot to pray and ask for help. Yet, looking back, I now know God was with me all along. Helping me even though I did not realise it. The bad moments of my past help strengthen my Faith right now.
Let us consider this bit from St
Paul’s letter to the Corinthians.
“Every test that you have
experienced is the kind that normally comes to people. But God keeps his
promise, and He will not allow you to be tested beyond your power to remain
firm; at the time you are put to the test, He will give you the strength to
endure it, and so provide you with a way out”. (1 Corinthians Chapter 10 Verse
13).
God knows when things go wrong in our lives. He allows it to happen. We may never know the reasons why; but we can rest assured that He will not allow us to be pushed beyond our endurance.
I'd like to believe that God is not in the business of losing His followers.
I have many times in my 76 years on this planet ask all of these questions at one time or another. And have fretted over the answers and prayed over the answers and never got the answers that I wanted. Like with this virus that has shut down our world and turned out whole world upside down. I think why since he's in control would he let this virus ruin our world and I know there are many answers to that none of which I like. I pondered all of these thoughts many times in my life. And then I have friends who say oh I don't worry about the virus for cause gods and controlled and he'll protect me. And I know that he's in control but I also know that he will not protect you because there are many many Christians that called the virus and died. So that's not the answer. Now you have me thinking again
ReplyDeleteThank you Sandra for visiting me here.
DeleteI don't claim to have all the answers as to why God allows bad things to happen to us; including His devout followers. Yet, I believe that He cares for us; all of us, believers and non-believers, atheists even. He cares for us and is sad when we go astray and do our own thing. He gave us the freedom to choose our way and will not take it back from us.
When I look back at the bad periods in my life, they serve as a reminder that God was with me then. Perhaps my reaction at the time served as an example (good or bad) to others looking at me . I don't know about that.
The fact is God allows bad things to happen to us all. We may not know why, but our role in this is to deal with the bad things happening to us as best we can. Within the limits of our own personal humanity. Some people can bare more than others. I know of people who daily suffer much pain and difficulties in their lives yet their strong Faith in God puts mine to shame. Perhaps they are examples for puny beings like me to follow.
What I am sure of though, is that God will not "push" us beyond our limits.
God bless you always.
Dearest Victor,
ReplyDeleteIn our profession we handle the micro-climate in order to understand and to grow quality mushrooms.
But isn't it odd, that we 'little humans', presume that God is micro-managing all his people?! How many were there and still are there?!
Our little minds cannot even grasp the eternity of things, so we ought to let God handle it more, without questioning and try to be as strong as we can.
Hugs,
Mariette
We need to be able to trust God more. Sadly, trust is not a strong factor in human nature. We have learnt to doubt, to question, to prod and to disbelief.
DeleteGod bless you, Mariette.
💞
Delete...a favorite of mine is, Kris Kristofferson's - Why Me Lord?
ReplyDeletewhy me lord?
what have I ever done,
to deserve even one,
of the pleasure I've known,
tell me lord,
what did I ever do,
that was worth lovin' you,
for the kindness you've shown,
chorus:
lord help me Jesus,
I've wasted it so help me Jesus,
I know what I am,
but now that I know,
that I needed you so help me Jesus,
my soul's in your hand...
What a wonderful song that is, Tom. I remember when I first heard it, it was sung by Cliff Richard whom I wrote about yesterday. I then discovered Kris Kristofferson did the original version. I used to play it on my Christian show on the radio.
DeleteGod bless always.
Amen, Victor! Our God is always a present help in our times of trouble. May we not forget that!
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Indeed Martha.
DeleteGod bless, my friend.
When the going gets rough, a review of previous tough times shows you how God walked with you and will always be there guiding you on your path. I always remember that and how I felt.
ReplyDeleteYes Bill, well said. That is exactly the point I am making. We are never alone, even though we might feel it at the time.
DeleteGod bless you always.
I, too, have asked myself time and again: Why me, Lord? Except (as I've mentioned before) I'm inclined to believe I'm being punished for the many ways I've sinned -- in thought, word AND deed. Another thought: Is this, perhaps, a test of my faith. So many questions.
ReplyDeleteNo Mevely, I do not believe that God allows bad things to happen to us as a punishment for sins.
DeleteSee John 9:1 onwards:
Now as Jesus was passing by, He saw a man blind from birth, and His disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the works of God would be displayed in him."
Jesus then heals the blind man.
I believe that bad things happen to us to give others the opportunity to do God's work on earth. To show pity, empathy, love, mercy towards others. Also, often God does heal people and does turn bad situations to the good. Miracles do happen today as in the times of Christ when He walked the earth. The problem is that many people refuse to believe.
When miracles happen, say a sick person is healed, this is a sign of the work of God being displayed, as Jesus said. If it were not for the sickness in the first place, there would not be an opportunity for the miracle to happen. No opportunity for us to help those less fortunate than ourselves either.
See also the story when Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead.
https://timeforreflections.blogspot.com/2019/07/the-resurrection-of-lazarus.html
Jesus says the death of Lazarus happened so that God, (and Jesus) are glorified.
I firmly believe God is not punishing you for your sins, Mevely. Once you have confessed them to God, and repented, they are forgiven and gone for ever.
God bless.
There have been some tough times in my life but I do know this, God carried me through. I try to cling to God in those times...The last time I saw my dad in the hospital dying I could barely walk in I was so upset, my knees felt as if they would buckle under me at any time. I just clung to the Lord the best I could and tried to stay in the present as I sat in his hospital room. God allowed me to stroke his hair and tell him it was okay. My son in law was in the room and he took me and hugged me tightly and told me how he loved me after he watched me stroke my dad's hair knowing how things could have been so different...I think the scene ministered to my son in law's sweet heart. The last thing I said to my dad was I loved him and he said I love you too babe...Even the nurses were quite touched that day knowing some background things that were very evil and that I had to sit there watching my dad suffer with not even power of attorney because of an evil woman. They were in tears. But they saw the real deal that day and also saw my dad's vitals were up the highest with our family there. I've seen *so* many things and been so disappointed in life, also losing my stepdad suddenly and just dealing with crazy things with people but ya know? God uses all of this crazy stuff in this world to make me a better and more compassionate person to others. I think it's given me a strong inner strength only from the Lord. I'm a weakling many a day, but I talk to God and the Father brings me through some way some how, He does that. I try to have faith and cling to the Father, talking to Him and walking with Him.
ReplyDeleteVery good post Victor, many people blame God for a lot of things and there are a lot of questions indeed.
Blessings to you Victor.
Thank you so much for sharing your story with us, Amelia. Yes, God allows bad things to happen. We don't know why. But then ... perhaps it is us who allow bad things to happen too.
DeleteGod bless you and your family.
It's true, many do allow bad things to happen. In my dad's case it wasn't that way though, we did everything possible but loved ones make bad choices.
DeleteWhatever our choices in life, even bad ones, God is always loving and caring towards us.
DeleteGod bless, Amelia.
I know God has been with me through those hard times and knowing He was I know He will in the future too.
ReplyDeleteHe is always by your side, only a prayer away.
DeleteGod bless, Happyone.
I love golf. I'm not particularly good at it. I often hit the ball in the water, miss easy putts and drive into the woods. Occasionally I sink a long putt, drive long down the middle and loft a shot up close to the hole. Making a great shot is so much fun, but if there were no bad shots, the game would be dull. Mind you I wouldn't mind if it were less dull.
ReplyDeleteGod has been pretty good to me so far, life has been far from dull. It is a good question, however when really bad things happen to good people. I do wonder, but I don't question.
Perhaps when bad things happen, to good as well as to bad people, perhaps it is an opportunity for us to help them.
DeleteGod bless, JoeH.
You always give me 'food for thought' Victor.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Thank you Jan. Sometimes my mind goes into serious overdrive.
DeleteGod bless you always.
Why do we suffer? That's such a big subject. I can't do it justice in a short space but I'll try to be brief. In our suffering we are joined in Christ's suffering, and if we accept it in Christ we will rise with Christ. It is a means to our salvation, Christ calling us to join Him. Also, God comforts us in our afflictions so that we can comfort others in their afflictions. That's from Paul's second letter to the Corinthians. Hope that helps.
ReplyDeleteI am not sure I understand that God "wants" us to suffer as a means to our salvation. Would a loving Father, a caring Father, "want" His children to suffer? Or would He protect them from all evil, as it says in the Lord's Prayer?
DeleteI agree that God comforts us in our pain and when bad things happen; and He gives us the opportunity to comfort others when they hurt. But did He really "want" to hurt Job as a condition to his salvation? Does He say to us, "I will hurt you so you can be joined with Christ's pain and so that you can be saved"? Does He ask for a payment before we are loved, cared for, and welcomed to Heaven?
God bless you Manny. You set me thinking.
Well, I make my child go to school, and he considers that suffering. You are looking at it only from an earthly perspective. If life is a continuum between earth and the beyond, then the suffering is only a blip in the time of eternity and if it is a calling to join in with Christ, then it is not evil. It is part of our earthly education. You have to look at the greater picture, not just the immediate picture.
DeleteI see what you've just said; I'm just not comfortable with the notion that suffering is a condition/duty to becoming a follower of Christ. No loving Father would ask that of His children.
DeleteGod bless.
Well, why not me? The fact is, being one of His followers does not mean a bed of roses (He promised us trials and testing, after all, even persecution), it means we have Someone to lean on when the stuff that happens to everyone in a fallen world happens to us, too.
ReplyDeleteAs for what about when the stuff that happens to us is because of another person's sins (like getting robbed or something), since we want our free will, and He loves us enough to give it to us so we can choose to be His or not, that means He gives that freedom to all of us. He's not going to give me my free will, and then step in and thwart the will of those who want to do something i don't like or approve, or that will harm me, just because it's happening to me and i don't like it.
Yes, I agree what you say about free will. I have a little difficulty with the bit that we have to suffer in order to be a follower of His. Yes, people will persecute us, mock us, and so on. But it is not a condition, a payment, in order to enter Heaven. Christ paid that price. God's love is not conditional on suffering.
DeleteGod bless, Mimi.
You are absolutely right, His love is not conditional. Jesus did promise, at the Last Supper, "In this world, you will have trouble. But cheer up! I have overcome the world." John. 16:33. To me, that means we will have sufferings -- bad things will happen -- but we don't have to worry, He will walk with us through it.
DeleteNo, it's not a condition of getting into heaven, it's just a fact of living in a fallen world.
I agree, Mimi.
DeleteGod bless you.