In the final analysis, the questions of why bad things happen to good people transmutes itself into some very different questions, no longer asking why something happened, but asking how we will respond, what we intend to do now that it happened.
Harold S. Kushner
It’s hard to say a lot more than what this inspirational quote does. Stuff happens. Why ask why did this happen? At least, why ask it if you are not looking for the lessons? It is important to get the lessons in order to learn and grow.
But, sometimes there is no answer to why things happen. Again, stuff just happens. However it is up to each of us to decide how we will react. Do we act up, whine, complain and then do nothing? And I am talking about beyond the 15 minute pity party I feel we are allowed, with special emphasis on the “do nothing” part. Or do we roll up our sleeves and get to work? Do we do all we can from where we are with what we have?
We are going to have an adventure while we are here. Some of the stuff will be labeled good and some will be labeled bad, but is it really? It is our reaction that makes it either.
Tags: Harold S. Kushner
4 responses so far ↓
1 Shari Fraser // Oct 21, 2010 at 2:34 pm
Why Bad Things Happen to Good People
1. We live in a fallen world that has been
corrupted by sin and evil.
2. Humans are given their free will, and
can choose good or evil.
3. We can learn from bad times. We can
be more compassionate, we will be more
refined, God promises that He will work
out all things for our good, which is
actually for our eternal good.
4. Adversity makes us appreciate the
good things that we have.
5. Bad things happen because of natural
laws, such as tornadoes, hurricanes,
earthquakes. People lose their possessions and sometimes their lives.
Then the rescue efforts begin. One of the
most eloquent stories is of the Chilean
Miners who were rescued after being
trapped underground in the mine for
over 60 days. It was truly a miracle!!
6. Bad and good things happen to both good and evil people.
7. In the Old Testament, 3 men were thrown into a furnace and instead of cursing God, they beg an to praise Him
and the 3 men came out of the furnace
without a hair on their head harmed and
not even smelling of smoke. The men that threw them in died in the furnace.
Therefore our attitude towards God makes a huge difference.
8. Adversity works to refine us into the
image of our Creator as long as we persevere.
9. God is infinite, we are finite. His ways
are not our ways, His thoughts are not our thoughts. We must keep our eyes on Him and ask for the grace to be patient in the midst of what may be a terrible ordeal.
10. Suffering sometimes comes from the
evil things that people do.
11. Bad things sometimes happen because of our disobedience to God.
12. Our Heavenly Father disciplines us
as sons and daughters. Not because of
us being bad, but to make us into His
image and likeness.
13. Sometimes we have adversity so that
we can have others come into our lives
to bring comfort and hope.
14, Sometime miracles happen to those
who are least expecting it!!
2 Mary // Mar 12, 2011 at 11:55 pm
I hope you never say some of those things to try to make someone feel better!! I am deeply offended by some of those statements you made.
You obviously have not read Harold Kushner’s book titled “WHEN bad things happen to good people.” It’s not titled WHY, but WHEN!
3 Mr. B // May 12, 2011 at 3:49 pm
I recently reported a co-worker because he spit in a customer’s food. having faled to convinve him to not serve it, I went to get the boss.
The next day, the boss approached me, told me he spoke to the accused worker, who had been there a long time. Boss told me I was a liar and fired me on the spot. He has since denied me my last pay. I have received threats from this cook. This is a nightmare. But I look to God and know that we all have free will..justice may not come when we expect it, but surely, truth crushed to the ground will rise up again.
4 Tessa // May 19, 2011 at 7:44 am
Shari, yep the earth is still flat. Mary, yep some people are still in the prehistoric age and they know so little that they think they know it all. Mr B, brave move, lets just hope that the co-worker continues to spit into peoples food, including your ex-bosses and a food inspector, who then closes the joint down.
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