Why??? It's Not Fair!!!

When most of us who are compassionate humans hear of a tragedy such as the recent Boston Marathon bombings, the first words in our minds and on our lips are, "Why? It's not fair! Who could do something like this?" And the part that we don't like is that most often times, we will never truly know the answer. This is where hope, faith, and trust in God is rooted...but these are also the times people turn away from God finding it hard to believe He would allow these things to happen.

First of all, let us make no mistake. Our God is a God of Love, a God of Mercy, a God of Righteousness, and a God of Justice. We all must live in this system of things here on earth where Satan is ruler and holds so many captive with his luring ways. But remember who created Satan in the first place...who made him an angel before his heart grew cold and greedy. God did. God created him, and at any given point in time when He sees fit and feels it right to carry out his plan, God can wipe him away and send him down in flames where he rightly belongs. And it will happen....that is a promise we can count on.

But in the meantime, there are many people in this world doing the evil ones works...case in point this recent senseless act (and countless others throughout history). We must first make sure to note that God NEVER causes bad things to happen, although He may allow them to play out at times. To some this may seem cruel, but to those that know the Lord, we understand it is all part of a greater plan. God never wants us to suffer, to be injured, to grieve for the death of loved ones when we know all too well they were innocent. But it is through these trials that we learn to trust in God's promises, we learn to believe in His Truth, and we begin to seek deeper relationship with Him. If everything in this world were just as it should be and there were no trials, tribulations, and suffering--what would we ever seek God for? Why would we ever praise Him? When would we ever want to grow closer to Him? How would we even acknowledge His existence? The answer sadly....we wouldn't. And He knows this. He knows our imperfections, our sins, our human nature. But He loves us anyways.

Yes, He will allow us to go through fiery trials, but He also allows Jesus to walk right in the fire with us! How many of our human allies would do that for us? How many of our friends, family, or acquaintances would endure the suffering that Jesus did, knowing full well they did not deserve it and were perfect and sinless? I think we can answer that as well...and the number would be painfully small. So as we go through hard times, we are reminded that even though it may seem senseless, cruel, or downright evil (and sometimes it is), God has assured us that there is a greater purpose, that He will never leave our side, and that He will dish out rightly deserved justice to those souls on judgment day...and you can believe that God knows and sees ALL. So our revenge, our hate, our anger, and our disgust are completely understandable and rightfully felt...but wouldn't you rather leave those things up to the One who has Almighty Power, and the one who can be sure that justice is served to depths we cannot even imagine? I sure would, for His wrath will be far more than I could ever accomplish. But when coming from God it is justified, when coming from us (regardless of how understandable it seems to us), it is NEVER justified. We must not become like those who have done terrible acts, but turn away and show even more love...only then can we break through Satan's barriers, and help in the spreading of the Word and Jesus' example of love so that the enemy can be overcome! God gives us the power, we need only to embrace and use it! No matter how unfair we feel things are in this present world, we need to lean on our trust and faith and believe that God is in control. He is here to give us a life of hope and prosperity, even through this. Won't you trust in Him, reach out to take His hand, and accept the peace, love, and mercy only Our God can give? Let Him in, ask Him to help you understand, and believe in His purpose.

"Evil people are restless unless they're making trouble; They can't get a good night's sleep unless they've made life miserable for somebody. Perversity is their food and drink, violence their drug of choice."  (Proverbs 4:16-17 MSG)

"Don't hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you've got it in you, get along with everyone. Don't insist on getting even; that's not for you to do. "I'll do the judging," says God. "I'll take care of it."  (Romans 12:17-19 MSG)

"There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to Him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies, and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers."  (Proverbs 6: 16-19 NIV)

Where Is My Path Headed?

We have all been there, and if not, we will be at some point in time. We sit and think.....where am I headed? What is in store for me? What do I have to look forward to in the future? What is going to happen to me and my life as the years pass on?

One of the hardest things about being an imperfect human is our inability to just stay calm in the unknown. We like to have plans, we like to know where we are going to be, when, and how we will get there. But many times, there are no answers to that...at least not ones that we ourselves will be able to foretell. But we need not fear, for God knows our entire path ahead and laid it long before we were created.. Jeremiah 1:5 tells us, "I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations."

Another comforting thought is that not one speck of our being is forgotten by our creator. When we feel lost, unsure, or worried...he knows everything about us, inside and out. Luke 12:7 tells us, "Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." Our Creator loves us so much that He has made it a point to know every single detail, no matter how small or insignificant we may view it from a human perspective. Can you say that about any other human being you have encountered? I sure can't.

So do not be dismayed about your future plans, for if they are from God, they are all good! He makes promises and He ALWAYS delivers on them! What a comfort to know the one true place we can go where we will never be let down is right at our fingertips every second of our lives...but we are responsible for seeking and trusting in it enough to let God lead our paths, instead of leading our own. No matter how uncertain or scary it may seem, remember that God never fails and NEVER will set us up for anything except an abundant future. He is our hope!

Jeremiah 29: 10-11 (MSG) "This is God’s Word on the subject: “As soon as Babylon’s seventy years are up and not a day before, I’ll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for."