It has been days since the Quake hit Haiti and people are still finding survivors amidst the rubble. It is so hard to read about this story and yet I have been making myself as much as I can read about what is happening. But my heart was lifted as I saw the link on CNN's website on how to help the survivors get medical care, food, water, shelter. I was able to donate to the Red Cross today when I went grocery shopping at Costco as well as at the Colts game on Saturday night.
When tragedy occurs one may ask themselves "Why? Why did God allow something like this?" Even Christians ask this question. But we know that God is sovereign over all things so we must ask ourselves how we should be reacting to these events because...there is always a way to grow. I know that as Christians we can always pray for those in need. But I would encourage you to pray specifically for the way you can help others. I've learned that God is orchestrating things in ways that we cannot know so we must trust Him...even when things don't make sense.
In the book of Job, Satan asks God's permission to hurt Job and God allows it and Job's faith is tested. He loses all of his wealth and all 10 of his children are killed in a natural disaster, and his servants are all attacked and killed. This happened all in one day. If this wasn't enough-Job is then plagued with sores and boils so bad he has to use a potsherd to scrape his skin! His friends accuse him of sin and his wife tells him to curse God and die. He has lost everything including his health and is utterly alone to deal with God. Through this all Job did follow what his wife and friends said to do. It would have been sinful to curse God and die. Job instead is humbled before a mighty and sovereign God. Job becomes more intimate in his relationship with God. This is what Job says at the end of this trial in his life:
Job 42:1-6
Then Job answered the LORD and said,
"I know that You can do all things,
And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.
'Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?'
"Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand,
Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know."
'Hear, now, and I will speak;
I will ask You, and You instruct me.'
"I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear;
But now my eye sees You;
Therefore I retract, And I repent in dust and ashes."
God then restores all that he had and even more than before. God blesses Job with more children and restored friendships. At the end of Job's life the bible says this about his children:
Job 42:15-17
15In all the land no women were found so fair as Job's daughters; and their father gave them inheritance among their brothers.
16After this, Job lived 140 years, and saw his sons and his grandsons, four generations.
17And Job died, an old man and full of days.
Are you suffering tragedy in your life today? Are you confused about what is happening around you? We know that life WILL be full of good and bad, trials and triumphs but through it all we can CHOOSE how we will react to these circumstances. Trust God that there is a purpose and opportunity to grow closer to God and he can RESTORE what is lost if He wants to.
One of my favorite lines is from Evan Almighty:
"If someone prays for patience, do you think God gives them patience? Or does He give them the opportunity to be patient? If they pray for courage, does God give them courage or does He give them the opportunity to be courageous? If someone prayed for their family to be closer, do you think God zaps them with warm fuzzy feelings? Or does He give them opportunities to love each other?"
I hope this encourages someone. I still struggle with my own reactions to things but as I grow I see God's faithfulness even when I'm not faithful. God Bless.
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