This is a slightly extended version of a comment I made in response to Stephen's lovely post about trusting in God.
When bad things happen, people like to talk about "God's will". You had a miscarriage? It was God's will. A toddler drowned? It was God's will.
I think the term "God's will" is tricky. Because God allows us agency and He allows awful things to happen to us. I don't think that He wants awful things to happen to us, (but the idea of "will" implies that he does), but it is alright when it does. Not that we are still happy or whole, but that in the end it is alright. Through God's love.
I don't know exactly what I mean. But, I think I'm getting close.
OK, where is that verse that says something like God makes all things work together for good? I thought it was in Romans, and now I can't find it and I'm starting to feel a little crazy...
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I don't think it's God's Will for terrible things to happen. He designed a perfect world for us, we just chose not to live in it. So, bad stuff happens because we're in a fallen world.
But, He can take a horrible situation and make good come from it, if we trust Him and let Him.
Sorry, I'm on painkillers, so if this doesn't make nearly as much sense as I thought it did, buzz me and I will try to fix it when I'm more clear-headed...
I like the thought that God turns it to our good in the end, through his love.
ReplyDeleteJen,
ReplyDeleteYou made perfect sense. And, I found the verse:
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
All Things Work Together For Good needs to be my new mantra. That's a great verse.
I don't know what you are taking painkillers for, but I hope you feel better soon.
Stephen,
I'm glad that this makes sense to you. You are someone who has been through the absolute worst thing anyone can go through (and, then, had to go through it again and again). The kind of pain you have walked through is almost beyond my comprehension.
I had to learn this the hard way. I was a 'good' person, active, married in the temple. Why did my first husband leave me? Did I deserve it? No, but I couldn't change HIS agency. God's will? Doubtful. It broke up a marriage, but he couldn't change my ex's agency either. Bad things happen to good people. Nothing we can do about it because of agency. God's will is that he wants us to have joy and return to him. He's given us the way to do it, we just have to do it! I don't believe God's will extends beyond that into our day to day circumstances...
ReplyDeleteBut that's just me!
YES! That's the verse! I was having a bad fibro day, with a migraine to boot, so they shouldn't have allowed me access to the 'net ;-) I'm glad it made sense to you, I know I think of that a LOT when things are bad.
ReplyDeleteHoward Tayler (an LDS Web cartoonist) had much the same thoughts recently: http://www.schlockmercenary.com/d/20060730.html
ReplyDeleteCouched in futuristic science-fiction terms, of course.
Both of the examples you used were of a death... miscarriage and drowning. To those dead, they've passed the test and moved on. They are in a better place. Arguably, we should be happy for them.
ReplyDeleteSelfish beings that we are, we suffer grief instead.