I always hear “If God is so wonderful why does he allow bad things to happen?” My thinking is that God gives us free will to exercise as we see fit, and plain and simple, we screw up.
I’m just as guilty as the the next person in asking “Why, God, did you let that happen to me?” Usually I can answer this question almost as soon as I ask it. It happened because I took matters back into my own hands and God uses these situations to draw my eyes back to Him – but only if they want to go. I have the free will to not pay attention and continue down the road in my own way, though I have to tell you, for me this never turns out well.
At first, before something strikes my life, God will give me gentle warning about what to do or not to do. If I disregard it and continue down that road, the warnings will get louder. If I still refuse to heed the warning, God will “smack me upside the head” and I still don’t have to listen, but by now my world is in shambles, all the progress I have made is down the drain, and I’m back to square one. It’s the old Dr. Phil question, “So, how’s that workin’ for ya?” The answer is always the same, “Not very well.”
Obviously it’s easier to heed the whispers, so why don’t I? Most often I don’t heed the whisper because God’s way is not my way. My way is always so much faster and easier and has a clear path in sight. God’s way most often involves Him asking me to do some of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do for reasons unbeknown to me.
So why would I choose God’s way if it’s so hard and hazy? Because as hard as it is, as obscure the path, it is the way that’s always filled with peace. My way, though clear, fast, and easy, is often filled with chaos and fear. I think this is so, because if I’m the manager, the manipulator, and the decision maker, there is a lot of pressure to get things right. Whereas if my hands are by my side, even though it’s hard to keep them there, I have no worry because I’m not the one in charge.
I think I’m finally ready to give up thinking I’m God’s assistant. The job carries too much pressure and causes a lot of heartburn and sleepless nights. I will put my hands down by my side and venture in the direction He wants me to go, even if it is the hardest way. At least I will sleep and wake in peace and save a lot of money on Tums.
And so, as another day goes by, I have exercised my free will, and I have written.
L.B.,
This is always a great topic to camp on. It has taken me years to understand that God is with me on the mountain tops of life…and also in the valleys of life.
Someone once urged me not to squander a perfectly good crisis, meaning God may well be telling me something in my circumstances and I would do well to embrace what was going. This is very hard for me, but I have survived all these years, and upon looking back, I realized God was (is) in control.
Now that I accept that He is in control, I can trust Him more fully…especially as a crisis comes at me.
Ah, those whispers, those impressions that He shares only with me…
Thank you for your post!
Rick
Hi Linda,
Thank you for this posting.
How to nuture my spirituality, so I can hear the whispers and have the strength to heed them, is something in which I’m very interested.
I feel comfortable with spirituality; organized religion, not so much.
Love to hear of any authors whom you’ve found helpful on this subject.
Best,
Ann