A friend wrote that his life was falling apart. He had lost his job, was losing his house, and developed a life-threatening illness. He asked why God was doing these things. Below is my reply. Happily, he has since recovered from all of these circumstances.
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Dear Justin,
Whenever someone expresses a cry of pain, such as in your letter, it generates a certain frustration because I would like to say something more substantial than a spiritualized version of “buck up.” Quoting verses is always a good idea, but even that leaves me frustrated.
The reason is I have finally realized that the only solution to helping someone in pain is to take away the pain. If I am unable to do that, then what am I expected to do as a minister?
Saying “ouch” is natural. It doesn’t take away the pain, though. Asking “Why, God?” is another way of saying ouch. I’m not exactly sure when it is okay to ask that question. Theologians discuss it and disagree, especially when they are not the ones in pain.
Pain does not help the reasoning faculty of the brain, either. It causes mental confusion. When hot grease hits my hand, I stop being analytical and start looking for the most immediate solution, even if it is not a beneficial one.
Unfortunately, you expressed the hurt in the form of questions addressed to me. That puts the ball in my court as a minister, and I am supposed to answer.
Very well, I’ll give you an answer. It will not take away the pain any more than the comments of your well-meaning friends you mentioned. It might even add to it. Hopefully not! It is, however, the only answer you are ever likely to get.
The reason this series of events is happening is the same as the reason anything else happens or ever will happen, whether good, bad, or indifferent. It happens for the glory of God.
No other reason exists why anything happens.
For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever! Romans 11:36
The immediate question is, how does Justin’s distress glorify God? I don’t have a clue. But that is precisely what the Word says it does.
If that is not true, then nothing in the gospel is true.
Now this statement is both comforting and ominous at the same time.
• It is comforting, in the sense that at least we know the pain is purposeful.
• Ominous, as it suggests that something outside of ourselves is more important than our pain, which is a perfectly valid price to pay.
Finally, we learn that God is not cruel, insensitive, or egocentric. To put the cherry on top of the icing, then we learn it will be proven ultimately that experiencing the pain is infinitely better than not experiencing it.
You asked if the experience was punishment for some sin. That is possible but not likely. If it were, you would know what it is by now. Throughout scripture, such as in the chastisements of Israel, God always let them know what it was for. As one minister put it, God is not a child abuser.
I know that in the midst of your pain it is probably inappropriate for me to try to correct your theology. It might even sound callous, like someone rebuking me for shouting when the hot grease hits my hand. That makes me feel like delivering a knuckle sandwich and transferring some of the pain to the rebuker.
Jesus came across a blind man. The disciples asked, “Was it because of this man’s sin or his parents’ sin that he was born blind?” Jesus said, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but the event happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.” John 9:3
It was not the case that the man or his parents were without sin. They were. Jesus said that events in people’s lives may not necessarily be connected to their moral state. They might be, but then again, they might not. If we did indeed live in a perfect reward-and-punishment world, the word “grace” would have no meaning.
Human nature can easily assume that if we are virtuous enough, this will build us a shelter against bad things happening. Big mistake. Totally works—righteousness. That’s not Christianity.
I’m trying to gently lead up to a point that I hope will not cause you further distress. You said, “I have done what Jesus said to do. I love, I help, I give.”
Oh no, you haven’t. Jesus said, “Be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.” Are you perfect? Isn’t this something that Jesus said we should do? He also made it clear that when we have done all demanded of us, even if we were perfect, we are to say, “We are unprofitable servants.” We have only done what we were supposed to do. This means we don’t deserve any reward at all. Why should I be rewarded for a duty?
If God rewards us, it is really a gift of grace. If God chastises us, it’s because he wants to put us in a position to reward us even more.
The good news is that when we accept Jesus, we not only have our sins forgiven but are also clothed with the legal righteousness of Christ. This free gift trumps any performance-based acceptance.
Again, I am aware that even this doesn’t relieve the pain. If God wants you to be in pain for a while, he will graciously circumvent all my efforts to relieve it.
Know that you are in our prayers.
Love in Christ,
Roger
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