That’s Bad, That’s good

…One day a man bought a stallion, and all of his friends said, “That’s good.” The next day the stallion ran away, and all of his friends said, “That’s bad.” Two weeks later the stallion returned with a herd of mares. His friends said, “That’s good.” The next day his son broke his shoulder when the stallion threw him off. The friends said, “That’s bad.” The next month war broke out. Because the boy was injured, he could not go to war. The friends said, “That’s good.”
-Dan Millman

̒̒̒̒ ̒ all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. ̓̓ ̓̓

Romans 8:28(NKJV)

Can You Tell Me Why Disasters?

Happypizza: My deepest and sincerest prayers and condolences go out to all those who lost loved ones and/or suffered harm, injury or any kind of loss during the recent cyclone in Myanmar and/or earthquake in China.

I’ve been following the news of the two recent natural (or as some say “unnatural”) disasters in both Burma and China, which tragically resulted in the loss of an untold thousands of lives. It is so sad and sobering to watch as the full scope of the desolation unfolds before our eyes.

It’s real to me as I’ve been to Burma and have friends in both China and Burma—who thankfully are safe.

I will not get into the politics of the disaster, especially considering the one in Burma where the horror of the disaster is compounded by the political situation, but I do want to write about the perceived “God factor” of these events or “acts of God” as natural disasters are often referred too. Especially the question: How could and why does God allow these things to happen?

It seems that natural disasters naturally cause many to lose hope and faith in God and I don’t want to judge why, having never personally experience a disaster and/or lost loved ones tragically and unexpectedly. However, when I hear the news of some major calamity I find it can strangely enough, strengthens my faith and hope in God!

You might wonder how I find a natural disaster to be faith-building? Well, first off it’s helpful to start with a belief in a God or Creating force of Love and a belief in an afterlife of love. This life is definitely (and I want to emphasize this point) definitely not the end!!! The more we hear from people who have died and come back, claiming to have had a Near Death Experiences, the more we learn of the true beauty and scope of love and life after this earthly existence. No pain, no fear, and overwhelming unconditional love and light, especially if one tried to live in love here in this life.

I believe that death for the loving is not something to dread and fear. This physical life/existence is not the final story and we can look forward to an eternal life/existence beyond this life! So I feel no matter how tragic the circumstances are in our current physical reality, those who who have passed on to the next are in a better place. In the loving hands of their Creator and what better place can you be then that? I know my thoughts are simplistic and a huge disaster is a lot more complicated then any one person can fully understand. Each persons life, experiences and circumstance are also different. There is often great horror, pain and difficulties faced by the ones left behind and this is something I don’t fully understand or have an explanation for.  But when I hear about a huge amount of people suddenly losing there lives in a natural calamity, I often wonder if they’re better off. Especially in cases where the people lived in extreme poverty, difficult conditions and pain. Maybe it was the Creator’s mercy?

For a compilation on comfort read here:

“God’s Promises of Comfort and Deliverance”

One addition–not long after I watched a report of both the disasters on the international news, I came across and listened to a old song titled “Can You Tell Me Why Disasters” written and sung by “Zac Lightman”. Below are the lyrics. I think the song’s message is as hauntingly applicable for today as it was when it was written over 20 years ago.

Here are the lyrics:

Can You Tell Me Why Disasters?

Why do the innocent seem to fall for no reason?
They say the good die young,
While the guilty go along
You must believe in Love
to truly understand.

It is the same question down through the ages,
If God is love how could he let this be?
How could he allow the poor to suffer
and then let the guilty go free?

Although death is not a curse for the loving,
it’s a gateway from suffering and pain.
It’s the mercy of God to end their sorrow
and a chance to start over again

Can you tell me why, why, why disasters?
Why do the innocent seem to fall for no reason?
They say the good die young
while the guilty go along
You must believe in Love
to truly understand

Lyrics by Zac Waxman

Please continue to keep the victims of these disasters in your prayers. Pray that help, relief and supplies will get to those who need it desperately and that those who survived will be taken care of and comforted. Please also pray for the commendable and laudable efforts of all those involved in the relief and rehabilitation work–for their strength, courage, skill, and protection while they are helping those who were affected.

Love and Trust Are Inseparable

Love and trust are inseparable. You can’t have one without the other.

That was the quote on my calendar today and turned on a light in my mind and provided me with an answer to something I struggle with and that is: Loving God but having a hard time trusting him…especially when suffering personal disappointments.

Sometimes I let the struggles or difficulties teach me lessons that God wants to teach me or give me compassion and understanding for others, but often struggles or difficulties, especially those that time hasn’t healed yet, or that don’t make sense at all, turn my heart somewhat “bitter smart”.

I tend to blame myself, others, circumstances or my environment for most of things that go wrong. But the problem is that since I’ve given my life to God and believe what He says in the Bible that “all things work together for good to them that love him” then there must be something wrong with promise or maybe God has made some kind of mistake. I often end up getting upset and angry at Him for allowing bad things to happen to me, especially when I don’t see the “works together for good” part. What this quote clearly says is that if you love God fully you have to trust Him fully.

If you were to pull me off the street and ask me if I love God, I would answer “yes” but if you were to ask me if I trusted God…well, as much as I know what the answer should be…..I wouldn’t be as definite. It really shouldn’t be that way and as the quote says, “Love and trust are inseparable. Love=Trust

All that to say, today’s quote reminded me to love God more by trusting Him. With the end goal of loving and trusting Him fully and completely.