When Bad Things Happen to Good People
I can't read God's mind. I wouldn't presume to try. I can't read ANYONE'S mind. I try to take what people say at face value, if I don't understand, I ask.
My understanding of God is what He has told us about himself. He loves us. As a parent loves their children, he sometimes allows us to suffer the consequenses of our own actions. In the same way, as a parent, there are times that he has to let us suffer for the evil actions of others...not because he CANNOT do something about it, but because he has allowed free will, there are some consequences that we must suffer for our own choices and the choices of our fellow Man. God would have preferred that Adam and Eve just did as he requested from the beginning, but they didn't. I am sure Adam and Eve were not too happy to be removed from the Garden, but actions have consequences.
Anything that happens that makes us unhappy is not God's will, it would be the will of flesh (not spirit). Not everything that happens on this earth is God's will, however, he does turn all bad things into good things for those that love him and follow his commandments. God's will is for us to be happy, but our happiness is dependant upon us not straying from his will. What he requires from us is ultimately for our own good.
A parent loves his child. That child grows up and through no fault of the parent, makes a choice to become a thief, a murderer, a child molester and any other evil thing you can imagine. That parent has another child. The parent is the only one that knows everything his first child has done. The same parent knows that if the first child is not punished for his crime, he will kill the second child. The parent also knows that if he turns his child in for the crimes, the first child will be sent to prison/electric chair. Is it better for the parent to allow the second child to be murdered at the hands of his first child or is it better for the parent to allow the first child to suffer for his choices, either to learn from them or at least to protect his other child? That good parent will do what is best for both children, letting the first suffer the consequences of his actions.
God is the parent. We are the children.
In the Pentateuch, God was instructing the Israelites in order to prevent them from following the ways of the 'bad children.' He was instructing them in order that they might have a better life and their better lives would indicate God's existance and great love for us. A better life is not necessarily wealth; peace alone can make for a better life. In addition, he knew they would continue sinning and gave them ways of correcting their errors. I want to point out that the planet did not always have billions of people on it. At the time God laid out the rules, there were many fewer people on the planet and they died younger and more easily due to the harsher environment. 'Miracle' healings were more necessary due to lack of medical care. God reveals things to our scientists and doctors today and those are the modern 'miracles' that heal people.
I have one last thing to say to you, then I am done. I might believe in a 'fairy tale,' but living within my 'fairy tale' I am happier than you will ever be without it. I know that I am loved with a love that is greater than you will ever imagine and I know that I am blessed in the same way. I know that you are loved in that same way. I regret that you won't accept that love because of whatever pain you have experienced.
God bless you
My understanding of God is what He has told us about himself. He loves us. As a parent loves their children, he sometimes allows us to suffer the consequenses of our own actions. In the same way, as a parent, there are times that he has to let us suffer for the evil actions of others...not because he CANNOT do something about it, but because he has allowed free will, there are some consequences that we must suffer for our own choices and the choices of our fellow Man. God would have preferred that Adam and Eve just did as he requested from the beginning, but they didn't. I am sure Adam and Eve were not too happy to be removed from the Garden, but actions have consequences.
Anything that happens that makes us unhappy is not God's will, it would be the will of flesh (not spirit). Not everything that happens on this earth is God's will, however, he does turn all bad things into good things for those that love him and follow his commandments. God's will is for us to be happy, but our happiness is dependant upon us not straying from his will. What he requires from us is ultimately for our own good.
A parent loves his child. That child grows up and through no fault of the parent, makes a choice to become a thief, a murderer, a child molester and any other evil thing you can imagine. That parent has another child. The parent is the only one that knows everything his first child has done. The same parent knows that if the first child is not punished for his crime, he will kill the second child. The parent also knows that if he turns his child in for the crimes, the first child will be sent to prison/electric chair. Is it better for the parent to allow the second child to be murdered at the hands of his first child or is it better for the parent to allow the first child to suffer for his choices, either to learn from them or at least to protect his other child? That good parent will do what is best for both children, letting the first suffer the consequences of his actions.
God is the parent. We are the children.
In the Pentateuch, God was instructing the Israelites in order to prevent them from following the ways of the 'bad children.' He was instructing them in order that they might have a better life and their better lives would indicate God's existance and great love for us. A better life is not necessarily wealth; peace alone can make for a better life. In addition, he knew they would continue sinning and gave them ways of correcting their errors. I want to point out that the planet did not always have billions of people on it. At the time God laid out the rules, there were many fewer people on the planet and they died younger and more easily due to the harsher environment. 'Miracle' healings were more necessary due to lack of medical care. God reveals things to our scientists and doctors today and those are the modern 'miracles' that heal people.
I have one last thing to say to you, then I am done. I might believe in a 'fairy tale,' but living within my 'fairy tale' I am happier than you will ever be without it. I know that I am loved with a love that is greater than you will ever imagine and I know that I am blessed in the same way. I know that you are loved in that same way. I regret that you won't accept that love because of whatever pain you have experienced.
God bless you
posted by Dancer | 7:18 PM
|
0 comments
