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We celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary in 2008. Our children helped us celebrate with an all expense paid all arranged vacation In Hawaii.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
WHY?
Why do bad things happen to good people?
When I served as a minister people expected me to answer all their questions. The one question I got more than any other was, “Why does God allow human suffering?”
Now, after fifty years of ministry and being almost seventy-four years of age—I still don’t have a good answer for them.
I have an answer for me—just not one for them. I mean I have come to peace with this in my own life but I can understand why so many have not.
I am writing this today simply to say that I feel this is the number one problem for many who struggle with believing in God. They can’t understand why (in their minds) the Bible fails to answer our most important question—why we suffer.
Later, if you are interested, I am going to tell you how I have come to peace with this.
3 comments:
What is my suffering when I compare it to the Passion of the Christ? Mine is but a "puff"...and He loved us enough to give His only Son to prove that to us...and we still don't get it when we try to "understand" it rather than "know it in our hearts".
In struggling for years with chronic pain from a teen gymnastics injury, I often have had angry discussions about why God won't heal me and release me from aching in my neck, the tingling in my fingers, the numbness after sleeping...time after time I come to Him with my requests and I still have the "pain in my side". Like Job, have I not been obedient, have I not been sincere in my prayers? No, what God whispers to me is "you return and spend time with me"...
Some of us are harder to reach by God than others..."When I am weak, then You are strong" because He sure provides His balm when I seek Him.
(didn't mean to get on my soapbox, but your post got me going...in a good way, Thank you!)
So, are you going to keep us waiting very long?
My family and I have gone through some really serious "take your breath away" trials.
I remember what a friend of mine said many years ago when she was going through very hard times. Someone had told her God allows this to build character. One day she shouted back at God, "Just how much character do you WANT?" :)
It takes a little time to tell "my story" but I will get it done. The comment your friend made back to God reminds me of all the comments I have received when trying to discuss suffering with someone really suffering. No simplistic answers will do.
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