Dealing with suffering.....

In my encounters with people lately, there are many out there who are angry with God about something that happened to them: a terrible divorce, tragic death of a family member or friend, loss of a job, etc.   Often, they use that tragedy as evidence that either God doesn't exist or that God is arbitrary and capricious; that God is not loving.  Therefore, they would like nothing to do with God or the spiritual life.

While there are no easy, cookie-cutter answers to deal with the problem of suffering, I usually note that as tragedy happens, you can find markers of God's grace, even in the midst of suffering.

The suffering that happens in the world is not because of the absence of God, but because of the evil in men.  We have the free choice to pursue good or evil, and that cannot be taken from humankind; otherwise we'd all be Stepford children.

Stuff happens, bad, bad things happen to good people.  But grace happens also.  Like at The Salvation Army children's home in Port-au-Prince.  Although the building was completely collapsed in the earthquake, not one of the children living there were killed, or even badly hurt.  There are markers of grace in this world.

Stuff happens when systematic evil is engaged by humans who are in a strangle-hold of consumerism, materialism, and individualism.  Drunk driving, human sex trafficking, abortion-on-demand, unjust wars, the growing disparity between rich and poor, among other evils, are all narcisstic at their core.  Hedonism, greed, power, are all self-serving, and for those who engage in these things, the self is king.

Systematic evil exists in this world because our world is broken.  There is no return to Eden, at least not yet.  Natural law is marred because of the existence of evil: right becomes wrong, and wrong is hailed as right.

Our world is broken.  There are no easy fixes.  The solutions will come from people whose hearts are broken.  If your heart is broken, don't worry: now, you can fit more people into it.

God's people have a responsibility to be salt and light in the world.  This is why it is so important to know how God has wired you - your unique SoulPrint, so that you and I can serve in the areas God has already assigned to us - to make this world a better place. 

Our faith community, The Connection, is an intentional community of believers who live to connect people to Jesus Christ and to His loving family.  We are learning about our SoulPrint, so that we can serve and make a difference. 

We gather monthly (check our FB page: http://tinyurl.com/theconnectionLI) 
and we also gather in small groups.  Here's the link to the group that meets at our house

God is moving mightily in our midst.   We are gathering people who are hungry for the presence of God, and God is meeting our needs.

Even in suffering, we will keep praising God.  Because His love is stronger than death!  We thank God for the life that is bubbling up in our Community Groups - little bonfires of faith, hope and love - that are making a difference.

pax Christi,

sp