Maybe you're right: that God doesn't cause those awful things, but I promise you many millions have suffered horribly throughout history, even after asking for the grace to handle it. The Jews who were starved, tortured, and murdered at the hands of the Nazis were no doubt devout, yet they suffered horribly. Small children and babies, the sick and infirmed, who have no say in the matter of suffering, can't ask for the grace to handle it. It just makes no sense to me.
Believe it or not, I appreciate your reply. It's inspiring.
Perhaps if you extend your sight to beyond what we can literally see, suffering might make more sense. Death is only the beginning of eternal life. Paul said that our sufferings make up for what is lacking in the Body (the community). Thus, vicarious suffering DOES have meaning for others - this gives hope to those who think suffering has no meaning... Our merciful God, setting the example, shows that suffering can be beneficial for others.
St. Paul said that our sufferings count as NOTHING once we will come to experience the Risen Lord. That is our hope in this world. That in the next, we will totally forget about our sufferings here.
How many people remember their birth pangs as they were born into THIS world? How many people remember the suffering they endured as they were forcibly removed from that "world" of our mother's womb?
God Bless
I'm back!
Phew. Heaven knows there are tons of awful things that happen in the world. They happen in big things like the Holocaust and 9/11 and the Sudan and they happen in small moments like an innocent child stricken with terminal cancer. They all shake one's faith to the roots, don't they?
Coop, I don't even pretend to the have the answers why bad things happen.
But you know what I have seen? I have seen the most amazing grace and strength in the faces of children with the most horrible terminal cases imaginable. In fact, their grace gives their parents strength and hope. I'd like to think that...no...I know that God gives them that grace.
There is nothing that is a true coincidence, nothing that doesn't happen for a reason -- we just can't always fathom why at the time. But I'd be willing to wager that we'll find out the answers to that and more someday.
And frankly, that is the reason why we are called and duty bound to talk about our faith openly, so that all those who don't have faith maybe can grab onto a piece. There is plenty to go around!
I look at the Amish who were so amazingly kind on so many counts to the family of their children's murderer....I look at the young girl at Columbine who, even in the face of a tormented teenager's angry weapon, refused to deny God....I look at the amazing stories that constantly come out of the horrors that this Earth offers, and I see grace where you might see nothing but destruction.
Most folks don't have a say in suffering....and they sure don't have a say in the time or date or circumstance of their death. But there is one thing folks do have control of...and that is the only question that matters -- are you ready to face God....today?
When my mother first was diagnosed with Alzheimers, I was more than mad. I was enraged with everything and everyone, including God. She was my best friend, my confidante, my world. So many things I felt cheated on. I tried on my wedding dress alone and planned it all by myself. I had my children without her awesome, amazing and spot on advice.
Sometimes I look at her grandchildren and see her shining through, though, and rather than hurting now, I see it as a blessing.
Totally rearranged my priorities. I realized that my tombstone was going to say, "Wife and Mother" not "She wrote really great press releases...." and that my children were my legacy. Everything else was totally temporary.
The line you hear from Christians about "total peace" is actually true. It isn't that the pain goes away. It does, slowly, but there will always be an ache. It is more like...you aren't alone anymore. Anxiety, worries, that lump in your throat.....mean you aren't giving your fears and concerns to God. I have never known a time in which relying upon God has left me emptyhanded.
As someone who relied on (and still does rely on)logic rather than passion to see things, faith was a tough leap to make. But after making lots of decisions I regret, I can say with absolute confidence it is the one decision I have never, ever regretted.
I totally understand your feelings, though, I really, really do!