When tragedy strikes, people will either run to God or from God. The difference depends on their perception of God before the tragic events occur.
Our perception of God comes from what we've been taught by others, whether true or not. Scripture describes it as "Faith comes by hearing." So then, bitterness also comes from hearing. Fear comes from hearing. Depression comes from hearing. Confusion comes from hearing. And so forth. It all depends on what you hear.
Most people hear when someone dies or natural disasters strike, "The Lord just took him home," or "Jesus just needed another angel in heaven," or "God works in mysterious ways." My apologies, but if this is what people are told, then of course they blame God. This kind of consolation is not based in Scripture.
God is not a killer. He doesn't send disease or disasters to his people to teach them something. The Holy Spirit is our teacher.
God isn't a taker; He's a giver. "I've come that they may have life and have it more abundantly." God doesn't send hurricanes, tornadoes, fires, or cancer. He sends abundant life.
"Every good and perfect gift comes from above from the Father of lights. God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all." Illness isn't good or perfect. Therefore, it's not from God. Sickness especially terminal illnesses like cancer, much like natural disasters, steal and kill and destroy. They are pure evil. There is no evil in God.
God offers the antidote. He offers hope. He offers peace. He offers faith. He offers joy in the midst of it. He offers comfort to loss who've lost.
The reason evil is evil is because it doesn't obey rules. Evil can strike good people or bad people because it's evil. But only those who turn to God in times of crisis can find peace in the midst of the storm. They can have hope that things will get better. And find comfort in times of loss.
My sincere prayers go out to all of you who have lost loved ones or experienced first hand tragedies such as fires, floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, car crashes, illness, disease, or cancer. Or lost loved ones in the September 11th terrorist attacks. All I can say is God is here to help you recover. He didn't send this to you to punish you or to teach you something. That's not His nature. God is love. That's His nature.
I believe in miracles. And sometimes the miracle is that you kept your sanity through the entire ordeal. Sometimes the miracle is that you found peace when you should have been bitter. Sometimes the miracle is a miraculous healing or restoration. God is good, and He finds creative ways to express his love in the midst of an evil world.
Peace be with you.
Scripture References: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Every Good and Perfect Gift Comes from Above
