Line Upon Line

WHEN TRAGEDY STRIKES IT IS EASY TO MISUNDERSTAND GOD

No one can claim to totally understand God. His thoughts are at a higher level than ours. Why God allows tragic events in this world – we can only partially comprehend. With all this in mind we will discuss this intriguing and vital topic in our current world of tragic events.

Isaiah 55:8-9 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,”.. 9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.

The most important thing for us to strive for is a better understanding of the Eternal God.

Jeremiah 9:23-24 Thus says the LORD: “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches; 24 But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,”..

Also never forget that we are not the center of the universe and every event is not focused on us. The world is under going invisible spiritual attacks, and suffering especially true believers.

Ephesians 6:10-12 .., be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Every thing was wonderful in the Garden of Eden except that Satan was also allowed in to test mankind. Why? God wants mankind to learn some tough lessons to make us ultimately better. God has created us free to do good and evil, and once expelled from the safe garden, we were thrust into a dangerous and difficult environment. We are experiencing tough love. It is also hard for God as well as men. Men hurt each other because we are free moral agents, note.

Genesis 6:5-6 Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 And the LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.

Naturally, God was not thwarted by Satan and used Noah to move toward His ultimate goal, which is to create sons who can handle all sorts of problems good and evil and be trustworthy.

SOME COMMON PROBLEMATIC RESPONSES TO TRAGEDY

When someone losses a child or a child is seriously ill, often they respond by blaming themselves. They think that God is cursing them for their mistakes or sins. God is singling them out for punishment that they deserve. Further they may come to resent God and try to suppress those feelings. Most tragedies are not based on God singling us out for sins but chance and circumstances. Note what the Messiah Himself said:

Luke 13:3-4 “I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. 4 “Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem?

Most cases of great losses are simply chance and circumstances. A certain number of children will be born handicapped based on our lost, poisoned world. What if you feel you are an exception- your suffering is put on you by God for some unknown reason? It is wrong for us to assume that God is sadistic and wants a child to suffer just to make you more sensitive. If you are special and God is using your suffering to help you spiritually, then ask Him to reveal the specific information clearly. Paul the Apostle did just that and obviously he was special.

2 Corinthians 12:7-9 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8..I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.., that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Few men are really in that situation. However, we can ask God to help us to better understand our sufferings and feelings. Remember societies that are further from biblical values suffer, by far the most. Americans have not really known trauma as many others in this world and are spoiled. We think life should be easy and accommodating. However God has temporarily allowed evil to permeate our world. People are not basically good and need the guard rails provided by God’s Laws. God is giving us room to learn the hard lessons and repent.

Romans 3:10-12 “There is none righteous, no, not one; 11 There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. 12 They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one.

Mankind has drifted further from God again and we all suffer the cumulative effects of sin.

CONCLUDING THOUGHT ON HOW WE SHOULD PERCEIVE SUFFERINGS?

We must learn how to handle the rampant guilt that follows a tragic illness of a child and similar events. It is not easy! If we do not get what we prayed for when expected, how do we avoid getting angry with God or feeling that we have been judged and found wanting?. Here is a list of common mistakes that grieving people often make.

1. We did not get what we prayed for because we did not deserve it.
2. We did not get what we prayed for because we did not pray hard enough.
3. We did not get it because someone else prayed for the opposite result and was more worthy.
4. We did not get what we prayed for because there is no God.

   We can easily see these are common human mistakes and we must reach for deeper and higher understanding of God and His purposes. When a prayer results in a miraculous answer we need to be thankful. Remember, God knows what is best for us and loves us, how do we

   know ? He gave His only Son for us.

Lu 17:16 And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.

Lu 22:17 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves

Romans 8:31-32 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

Every situation is unique and it is hard to know what God is doing and will do in the future but we should never let our faith in God and in prayer fail. And never assume that suffering proves that there is no God. The existence of the Devil further proves that God does exists.

Pray also for strength and will power to make the best of any situation you are in at this time.

Romans 8:17-18 and if children, then heirs–heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

God will give His sons and daughters a wonderful reward, the glory of being in His family. Wow!

Romans 11:33-34 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! 34 “For who has known the mind of the LORD?..

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