College WritingEng. 10111/16/95Why DO bad things happen to good people. This is an age old question, that for years has stumped even the best of scholars. The thing people need to realize is that there is no black or white, yes or no answer to this question.
It can not be analyzed, or sorted out by scientists or analysts to create a simple why or why not answer for the lay person. The simple fact is, heartache, tragedy, and suffering is something that everyone experiences. The thing people need to grasp hold of is understanding and the dealing of these tragedies when they arise. Take the story of a man named Job for example.
Twenty-five hundred years ago when the earth was ridden by sin and disarray Satan appeared to God and told him to look at all the sin that was going on in the world. Gods simple reply to that was, Yes, but have you observed my servant Job? He is obedient and faithful to me even though all around him are sinning against me. “”The reason for that is because of all that you give to him! Take from him all that you have granted , and then see how loyal he is”, replied Satan. “Very well”, said God,” It is done. ” And with that, he accepted Satan’s challenge. With out warning to Job, God destroyed Jobs house, killed his children, and slaughtered Job’s cattle.
He then cursed Job with painful boils all over his skin, so to make his every movement filled with excruciating pain. Many times Job’s wife asked him why he didn’t just curse God, and ensue Gods wrath to strike him dead. Job’s friends told him to denounce his faith in God, after all look where it got him. Yet Job remained faithful to God’s will. When God saw how devoted and trustworthy this humble servant was to him, he appeared to Job and rewarded him with a new home, new children, and a new fortune. God came through for a servant who was faithful and true.
Most people in this situation would have questioned God at the first sign of problems. Job on the other hand knew that God had a plan for his life, and that the things that were happening to him, all though painful, were all part of God’s intricate plan. Job put his trust in God even in the worst of circumstances, and God rewarded him for his faithfulness. Where is God when things in your life just aren’t making any sense? Is he even around all the time, or is it just at his convenience? How much does he really care about the little stuff? These questions pose a great, thought provoking topic! The fact is, God is there all the time.
He does interact with us on a daily basis- especially in four specific areas. 11. God is working in our lives, even when it seems like he isn’t listening or it seems like he has taken an extended vacation from your life. Whether it seems like it or not, God is always working in your life. His intricate plan is constantly being spun out.
Just because there may be a point in your life where it seems like things are going slow or that it seems like God isn’t working, doesn’t mean that he isn’t. “With God, even when nothing is happening-something is happening. “2 That is the cool thing about God. He is always at work in our lives in his own unique way, even when our prayers seem to be going unanswered. It is important that your faith in God is not based on ephemeral emotions, but on the authority of the written Word. 3 Jesus told us that he would never leave us(Matthew 28:20).
4 He said, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am also. “(Matthew 18:20). 5 He is “a friend that sticks closer than a brother. “(Proverbs 18:24). 6 God promises to us time and time again in his Word that he will always be there for us no matter what the circumstances.
All we need to do is call on his name and he will answer. 2. God’s has
