Luke 4:18. NIV

¹⁸ “The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
    because he has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
    and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free.

The most frequently asked question I hear is, why did God allow such a terrible thing to befall me. Or my family member.

i seriously have not experienced your troubles. I can’t say why. I can only share my experiences and the lesson I learned.

story: A 10 year old boy gets kicked out of his house by abusive parents. He sleeps in a car. It’s cold and he’s alone. There is no food for him. He cries out to God to let him die.

Of course God is not going to grant that request. Instead, the boy ends up in foster care. It’s not what the boy desired. Yet God, in His wisdom gave the boy food, a house to live in and a warm bed.

The boy grew up and learned that God does take care. Not the way we want, but what is best for us.

Stoic philosophy teaches that we can only change ourselves. Not others. So change your attitude.

Humanistic values say, “I know better, so everyone follow me.”

Jesus says, I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of LIFE.”. John 8:12

Jesus also said, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6

So who is right? Do you have faith in yourself enough to only correct yourself and stay out of others way?

Follow a human who will eventually let you down? Pastors, family members, and friends are human. Filled with faults, even with best intentions (this is where forgiveness fits in).

Follow God, who came to earth became the example for us? He suffered and died to share something remarkable to us.

Yes bad things happen to Christians. Jesus dwells in these folks and Jesus will light the path. He’s already been on the bad path. So let Him guide you.

For non Christians, God is around you. He sees your suffering. He’s just waiting for you to invite him in.

Yet many people , good, bad, Christians and non tell Jesus, “I’ll listen to you later. Let me do t my way.”

Someone is now asking , but what about you? I learn every day. I fail too. It’s the purpose of this life.

Learn, pray and allow God to challenge and change us.

One of my favorite continued conversations, has to be with a Buddhist friend. We discuss, philosophy, theology and how to deal with life.

Learn to care for people for where they are. For who they are. It makes your life simple.

Rain (bad events) falls on us all. Help each other up.

God bless!