I was one of the paramedics on call that day on our little volunteer EMS service. I had found a great ministry in volunteering with EMS while serving as a local minister.
When we arrived on scene we began CPR immediately. It was not long before we loaded the little girl in the ambulance and called for the medical helicopter out of a nearby town to meet us on the outskirts of town.
We worked feverishly in the back of the ambulance to save the little girl or at least extend her life long enough to get her to a hospital. In what seemed like just minutes we were transferring her care to the flight medics on the helicopter.
As the helicopter was taking off, the mother of the little girl frantically ran up to me. With tears rolling down her cheeks, she wailed, "Trey, tell me God won't take my baby. Tell me God won't take my baby." And then she stopped and waited for me to answer. I didn't have an answer. I was absolutely stumped.
She had asked a question that every one of us who believe in God will dare to ask sooner or later. If God is good and God is great why do innocent people suffer. So many have given an effort to explain why God won't or can't protect innocent people.
I didn't have an answer for that mother that day. I'm not sure that I have an answer today, but I have given it a lot of thought. I'd like to share with you three quick responses to the question, "If God is great and God is good, why do the innocent suffer?"
First response: That is a fair question. It’s okay to ask that question. Somewhere we've been given the idea that if we ask why the innocent suffer, it is a sign of unbelief or a challenge to God. Not so. The Bible asks the question often. Even Jesus quoted the 22nd Psalm, as he hung on the cross, "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?" It’s a fair question. Not a question of unbelief or a challenge to God.
Second response: I don’t know. The Bible never gives an answer. I don't know why the innocent suffer, but I do know that sandwiched up against the blackness of evil is the brightness of good. Ultimately I do know that God will not leave evil unanswered. I think there is a day coming when all of the crooked things will be made straight, all of the dark things will be made bright, and all of the innocent will be vindicated. I think that is what the cross of Christ is all about, and the resurrection is God's declaration that eventually things will go right.
Third response: Good is God’s character and no matter what happens in this world, that can’t change. What I’m saying is you can focus on the good in God or the evil in the world. I hope you have found enough goodness in the world to choose to keep lighting candles instead of cursing the darkness.“Trey, tell me God won’t take my baby!” I can still hear those word like it was yesterday. If God is great and God is good, why do the innocent suffer? That is a fair question. I don't know, but I do know there is a goodness in this world that cannot be explained outside of a God who loves you and me. So it’s okay to hold up your head and go forward.
posted at 
5 Comments:
In the book The Case for Faith, Lee Strobel interviews Peter John Kreeft (author of making sense out of suffering). He compares our understanding of God to that of a bear understanding humans. ...."imagine a bear in a trap and a hunter who, out of sympathy, wants to liberate him. He tries to win the bear's confidence, but he can't do it, so he has to shoot the bear full of drugs. The bear, however, thinks this is an attack and that the hunter is trying to kill him. He doesn't realize that this is being done out of compassion. Then, in order to get the bear out of the trap, the hunter has to push him further into the trap to release the tension on the spring. If the bear were semiconscious at that point, he would be even more convinced that the hunter was his enemy who was out to cause him suffering and pain. But the bear would be wrong. He reaches this incorrect conclusion because he's not a human being."....
Great point ... I'm sure that when we're going through tough times we don't have a clue about the "whole" story God is writing. James 1:2-4 are some of the toughest words in the Bible. "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
What a story. I can remember the first time I heard the words Conner has cancer. The room spun and I couldn't breath, but at the same time a peace came over me that me feel that everything was going to be ok. Conner told me God was going to take care of him and he did. There were some scary times in ICU and on fast trips to Lubbock but everything turned out ok. During that time Conner showed me wisdom for someone so young. I don't know what the outcome to your story was but I hope that the mother realizes that God's plan is not always our plan but it always works out for our good.
Stachia ... You've been through more than most mothers with Conner. And despite what you've been through your faith and trust in God has not wavered. We all can learn something by looking at how you've handled life.
Thanks
I think learning that it is okay to ask why things like this happen is essential to healing. It has been for me anyway. Everytime my son is hospitalized or facing dangerous medical times I still want to say "God, you won't really take him, will you?" And when I feel the inevitable feelings of frightened anger surface it is always calming to me know that He has Chet in His hands and that I don't have to know WHY things are happening as long as I remember that God knows they are happening and is there to take care of everything we need.
Post a Comment
<< Home