When bad things happen, the first question that we ask is why? How could this happen? We begin to compare our lives and our morality to others when searching for answers. Its often a shock and hard to accept. What did I do to deserve this? No one is immune; the common man or the powerful. "For there is no respect of persons with God". Romans 2:11 There is an answer. It might not be what you want to hear. It goes beyond the realm of the secular world and before the throne of the Almighty. It begins with our faith.

In the beginning, mankind was created in the image of God. Adam and Eve were given a choice and made the decision to sin against God. From the day of their rebellion, original sin entered the world. "So death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned". Romans 5:12 Like it continues today, Adam blamed Eve and Eve blamed the serpent for their actions. Everyone knows the refrain, there is no escape from two certainties; death and taxes. The penalty that we all face is sickness and death. The question to ask is not whether we "deserve it" but why God allowed it to happen.

 Tens of thousands of people are afflicted each year with cancer, multiple sclerosis and other horrible diseases. It seems as if it happens to the "wrong" people. But it is indiscriminate and can strike any person in the prime of their life. It comes out of the blue. It can start at birth or it can manifest itself as part of the aging process. It effects those who we love and strikes at the core of our being. But what is often overlooked is the trial that we have overcome and the life changing events that make us stronger. It causes us to seek our Creator, to go to him in prayer and place our burdens upon him. It brings perspective that only can be forged by the harsh reality of the struggle. It brings us to our knees as no other event would and melts away any hardness in our hearts. The victory through our Father becomes ever more sweet. For we cannot reject what we see with our own eyes, overcoming the seeming impossible. "I can do all things through Christ which strengthen me". Philippians 4:13.     

Our families, even the most precious, the children have been the victims of violence and unspeakable acts of sexual abuse. Those who commit such crimes are called sick. That word implies that they have no understanding of their actions. Perhaps there are some who have a chemical imbalance but the truth is every human has free will. It's not because of drugs or alcohol. These substances usually mask the problem. The word missing from our vocabulary is a simple four lettered word; evil."Be sober , be vigilant ; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about , seeking whom he may devour. Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world". Peter 5:8-9. God did not create evil. "Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man." James 1:13. We need to fight evil where it hides and we need to keep our family, friends and neighbors in prayer.

Throughout our history, men and women have died on the battlefield. Even when confronted with certain death, they charged into the fires of war without regard for their safety and exhibited acts of unparalleled galentry. Why would God allow such men to die? But if we look at the big picture, we are blessed to have those who would sacrifice their lives so others may live. "Greater love hath no man then this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13. Without their sacrifice, there would be no freedom. Liberty would have no meaning. When we celebrate Memorial day, we celebrate not the death of heroes but their life's, their values and the reason for their sacrifice. The opposite it true for our Creator. While we celebrate his life such as his birth during Christmas, our focus is on his death. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that who so ever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life". John 3:16.    

 It is important to understand that we will not have a specific answer to every tragedy that occurs in the world but we know that there is a reason for everything. "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose" Romans 8:28. There is evil in the world and it will continue. Sickness and death is inevitable. Our time on earth is short. "For what is your life? it is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away". James 4:14. But each of our life's are important to God no matter how long we live or our station in life. Each one of us contributes to God's plan. Those who struggled with sickness can now better comfort those who are sick, those who experience the sting of death can help a grieving family with their understanding and the loss of a loved one may be the reason for the life of another. The Lord is my Sheppard......

And they were called Christians
What is a Christian?