She Must Have Done Something Wrong

Why would anyone say that of a mother who had just had her small child hit by a car and killed? At a recent support group meeting a bereaved mother shared with us that at her church that was the comment made by one woman to another woman, implying that God must have allowed her daughter to die in an accident because God was punishing the mother because she must have done something wrong.

NO! NO! NO! That is not the way God operates, but where does that idea come from? I think it partly comes from the misconception that if we are a believer then our lives should run smoothly and if trouble, or tragedy  occur it must be because we are not living right. That way of thinking is a misconception of the Christian life.

Jesus said about His Father in heaven: “He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Matthew 5:45) We live in a fallen world where bad things happen to good people, even people who are faithfully serving God. Look at the disciples. Ten out of the twelve were martyred. They were surely serving the Lord faithfully and effectively, yet they were killed. That was not only a loss of their lives but a great loss to their family and friends.

I don't know why God intervenes sometimes to heal or prevent tragedy and not at other times. I do know that even those God heals eventually die. However, we also know that this life is not the end. For believers, eternal life is promised in a place free from all heartache, sorrow and pain. In the meantime, God has promised His presence, grace, comfort and strength. I find the words of the following song an encouragement:

*“God hath not promised skies always blue,

flower strewn pathways all our lives through;

God hath not promised sun without rain,

joy without sorrow, peace without pain,

But God hath promised strength for the day,

rest for the labor, light for the way,

Grace for the trials, help form above,

unfailing sympathy, undying love.”

*"God Hath Not Promised" Annie J. Flint, 1919