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I noted the order in which the pastor put things. To me, the first thing in order should have been that his beliefs prepared him well for whatever circumstances should have to be met. And I noted that his first idea expressed was that these were temporary (temporal) circumstances, and therefore by implication, not important in the big picture. Eternity.

Well, that is not so. The big picture is keyed upon all our reaction to all these little challenges we have in life, including the occasioned big calamity.

In a way it is those challenges that are the best of blessings, for while the other daily and lifetime blessings of comfort and sustenance, discernment, strength, etc. are well appreciated and vital to ask for -- it is the life's challenges that are the honor. The honor of responsibility and challenge that a parent gives a child who has earned that level of trust.

"And I noted that his first idea expressed was that these were temporary (temporal) circumstances, and therefore by implication, not important in the big picture."

"Temporary" means of a limited time.

"Temporal" means of the material world.

"This is just a material thing. We deal in the eternal. Material things change on a daily basis."

Well, that is not so. The big picture is keyed upon all our reaction to all these little challenges we have in life, including the occasioned big calamity.

You can't "earn" your way into heaven via your actions on Earth. The big picture is not "keyed upon all our reaction to challenges in life." The big picture is that Jesus died to save your soul, and all you have to do is accept his gift of eternal life. The pastor was spot on with his response.