Why do bad things happen to good people?
Why?
Why, did my brother commit suicide in January?
Why, did my house, motorcyle, car and truck burn down in March?
Why, did I get burned so badly I needed skin grafts on my left hand and arm?
Why, did I get lymes disease in May?
Why, did I get a seriouse infection requiring surgery, hospitalization, and I.V. antibiotics for the next three weeks and 4 times a day.
I want to know what you think!
Some will say I should not be in St. Louis doing what I do for God, like God is trying to tell me something. Others may say that Satan is attacking. What do the others of you say?
Let er go!
posted by Bob Carder @ 6:04 PM
12 comments
12 Comments:
I don't know what my response would be. But I guess it would be something like, "Why not you?"
I was reading Ezra at family camp last week... I saw that as the Jews began sacrifices in Jerusalem again (a return to/revival of the true practice of their religion???) and began to rebuild the temple there was some serious blowback froom the local kings and rulers, who went to work to try to stop the progress of the Jews.
I thought "What Bob is doing/leading is getting serrrrrrious blowback from the god of this world". I also thought that if others of us want to follow this vision of Spirit led and Spirit empowered pursuit of the great commission, we might want to be prepared for blowback, too.
Perhaps what Bill Hossler heard from Dr. Tim Warner (noted in your post June 27th)should be seriously considered and acted upon:
"Was the church planting phenomenon still growing? Was the exponential growth of the church in many parts of the world still taking place? The answer to both of the questions was a strong Yes. When I asked what about the key ingredients in such a movement, Dr. Warner listed two elements: 1, Prayer 2, Power."
Maybe we need to get even more serious about prayer, particularly prayer cover for front line warriors, Like Bob, Like Terry Goodwin, Like Steve Ortmann, Like Bill Hossler, like ___________ (fill in the blank and pray).
That's what I think...
Bob
I agree with Terry when he says "Why not". I know the struggle I went through when I had to fight cancer twice, lost my home, cars, everything through this illness. I also had this question. The answer I received was Terry's words exactly. It shook me as I thought I was OK, but to find out that He can do what He wants to, was a little baffling to me. I then found the following scripture in Hebrews 12, of which I have quote a small piece. Hang in there and do what you have to. Heb 12:5 And have you [completely] forgotten the divine word of appeal and encouragement in which you are reasoned with and addressed as sons? My son, do not think lightly or scorn to submit to the correction and discipline of the Lord, nor lose courage and give up and faint when you are reproved or corrected by Him; Heb 12:6 For the Lord corrects and disciplines everyone whom He loves, and He punishes, even scourges, every son whom He accepts and welcomes to His heart and cherishes. Heb 12:7 You must submit to and endure [correction] for discipline; God is dealing with you as with sons. For what son is there whom his father does not [thus] train and correct and discipline? Heb 12:8 Now if you are exempt from correction and left without discipline in which all [of God's children] share, then you are illegitimate offspring and not true sons [at all]. [Proverbs 3:11-12]
Louwrens
I suppose for the same reasons that my wife and I watched three babies die in the womb and then had to fight cancer.
We live in a broken world where crap happens. All in all I'd say your suffering and mine pales in comparison to the suffering that billions of people face in places like India, China, the "stans", Darfur, Iraq...etc.
I look at the suffering of people in those places and, despite the hardships I've faced, marvel at how much I have been spared.
These are great responses.
Bill you need to add Haiti to that list. We Americans are so blessed and we do so little for those who are suffering around the world.
Mike I agree, "Why not?" But, then again, where is that compassionate Mike when you need him?
Louwrens, You and I agree on this one for sure. How can anyone disagree with Scripture?
Kirk, we all must spend more time on that bended knee.
Of course I do know my suffering pales in comparison to all, actually I find it more amusing than anything else.
bob,
not to be insensitive, but i was right along with bill. in a fallen world, shit happens. i can't imagine your pain right now, and my prayers are with your family. but remember the words of revelation 12: they overcame the accuser by the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony! keep testimonying!
I didn't mean it to be flip or non compassionate, my friend. I meant it to convey that you can't judge what you're doing for the Lord by the things that happen to you.
I meant to remind you that sometimes stuff happens -- and it's not related to anything, either Satan's maneuverings or God's withdrawing of His blessing. It just happens.
God can use them, but He neither causes them nor allows them. They just happen.
Really, I was hoping for this post to be an encouragement to others as the others offered suggestions about suffering.
This is a huge issue inside the faith community and outside.
I sure hope no one reads a pity party here, I find this sort of amusing to say the least.
I wrote this post with my own answers. I just wish others would write so that others who are suffering right now would benefit.
Adam, you are right on target with what I hoping to hear at this post.
Some go to bitch while others go to the beach! Let's all go to the beach.
I have no depression or frustration or faith crisis over this. In a way I find the odds of this happening sort of amusing. All I did was put my elbow on a stupid picnic table.
As it turns out one of the top ten places that carry bacteria has to be a park picnic table.
Moral of the story, "Cover the picnic table for crying out loud." Or, eat where diapers were changed, raccoons frequent, birds poop, food is dropped dried and dropped and dried, and other critters do whatever they want as well. Are you hungry yet?
Here's what I do when bad things happen to me:
1. I usually kavetch and moan a little.
2. Then I pray.
3. Then I might talk it out with a good buddy, like RP, or someone else.
4. Then I pray again and try really hard to turn my back on it and go on.
Lather. Rinse. Repeat. As often as necessary.
Why do bad things happen to good people? Why do good things happen to bad people? Why do bad things happen to bad people? Why do good things happen to good people?
All the same answer: Because that is the way the world is. There's a theological term for it that I could come up with if I wracked my brain, but as the Word says, the rain falls on the just and the unjust.
I guess I never have quite understood why this is such a stumbling block for the church and those outside it.
It seems so easy to understand. Fallen world = bad things.
As you know by now, I like quoting scripture. So here goes another one. This is really for those who keep on wondering what they should do, is it OK, or whatever :"Let your garments be always white [with purity], and let your head not lack [the] oil [of gladness]. Live joyfully with the wife whom you love all the days of your vain life which He has given you under the sun--all the days of futility. For that is your portion in this life and in your work at which you toil under the sun. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol (the place of the dead), where you are going."(Ecc 9:8-10)
Louwrens
Great help and is all appreciated for sure.
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