Nothing better than my baby girl's smile
How could God allow a mad man to kill Christina Green, a lovely 9-year-old girl in Tuscon, AZ? What possible good could this tragedy serve? Why did God allow it?
In a broader sense, why do bad things happen to children? Why does our loving God allow a child to die of starvation or related causes every few seconds? Why does he allow these little ones to be abused, molested, maimed or killed?
Allow me to begin by pointing out that the why question is essentially unanswerable. If something horrible happened to my granddaughter, you could not comfort me with a list of reasons implying it had to happen. Think about it with me. If Jesus himself appeared to you now and said your child will fall ill tomorrow and he gave you a list of reasons, how would you respond?
I know what I would do. I would start arguing with him. I’d suggest alternatives. I’d plead for the illness to fall on me and not my child. There are no reasons good enough to answer this question. Bearing that in mind, I’d like to make a few observations about God, children and the why question.
God is not afraid of this question. In fact, his people have asked why for thousands of years. Some of them are recorded in the Bible’s song book — the book of Psalms.
O LORD, why do you stand so far away? Why do you hide when I am in trouble? (Psalm 10:1)
My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far away when I groan for help? (Psalm 22:1)
“O God my rock,” I cry, “Why have you forgotten me? Why must I wander around in grief, oppressed by my enemies?” (Psalm 42:9)
For you are God, my only safe haven. Why have you tossed me aside? Why must I wander around in grief, oppressed by my enemies? (Psalm 43:2)
Wake up, O Lord! Why do you sleep? Get up! Do not reject us forever. Why do you look the other way? Why do you ignore our suffering and oppression? (Psalm 44:23-24)
Children are especially dear to God too. Our love and empathy for their pain is a faint reflection of how the Lord feels about them. God is working all the time through those who are advocates for the hurting children. His love flows into their lives through their caregivers.
Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” (Matthew 19:14)
Jesus put a little child among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, “Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes not only me but also my Father who sent me.” (Mark 9:36-37)
Jesus said, “And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me. But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea.” (Matthew 18:5-6)
God is closest to us when we are asking why then perhaps any other time. He has not abandoned us. One of the mysteries of the crucifixion is that at the same time God the Son was dying for our sins, he felt forsaken by God.
At three o’clock Jesus called out with a loud voice, … “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” (Mark 15:34)
That means that when you do not understand why bad things are happening God knows how you feel. He knows what it’s like to ask the unanswerable question and hear silence in response. You are not approaching a distant, disconnected Deity. Our God understands our weaknesses and pain. (Hebrews 4:15) So, feel free to turn to the Lord and cry out your why questions. He will welcome you. He will enfold you in his arms and share your tears. You will not receive a list of reasons but he will give you help and comfort in your time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)
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After a divorce of my parents at five, neglected by a psycho mom, beating by a psycho brother and taking in by a christian family only to be sexualy abused by their teen age son. I have been a christian for 12 years and still wonder way my father in heaven who keeps his eyes on evil and good WOULD LET ME BE MOLESTED BY A PERSON THAT THE MOM WAS PRAYING FOR ME TO BE PROTECTED FROM THE VERY THING SHE WAS PRAYING FOR, HE SAW IT HE KNEW IT, WHY. I WOULD NEVER LET MY SON BE MOLESTED IF I COULD SEE IT. As you can see I deal with lots of ANGER and have never felt the arms of God. I have been to pro’s, been prayed by every pastor I have ever been in touch with, many websites. I hope you can come up with a great answer so I can let go of this anger. thanks
I have no “great answer” for you. You’ve heard all the answers already anyway. Allow me to ask you a question or two. The first may seem odd and irritating so please bear with me.
(1) Do you want to be well? In other words, do you really want to let go of the anger? Jesus will not dig it out of your heart without your cooperation. Is there a reason you might want to stay angry? Is there a fear holding you back? Be honest with yourself and with Jesus.
(2) Have you tried identifying with Jesus’ torture and death? Perhaps God seems beyond reach and comprehension. But what about someone who was stripped, shamed, flogged and crucified? Would you consider allowing Jesus close enough to your pain that you know he understands how you feel?
There are no quick fixes or easy answers for the trauma you’v endured. The stories of two biblical characters come to my mind as I think about your situation. Jacob wrestled with God all night saying, “I will not let you go until you bless me.” A woman with a bleeding disorder pressed through a large crowd just so she could touch the hem of Jesus’ prayer shawl. These two received what they were seeking. Keep seeking the grace to let go of the anger. I believe Jesus will meet your need too.
Thanks, for your reply.
Glenn, I believe I understand the hurt, anger, pain, and disappointment you’ve dealt with throughout your life after what you’ve endured. I know you may have felt that God just up and left you, when the truth is, He never left you nor forsaken you, my dear. I’ve been through similar issues such as you’ve suffered and was still dealing the repercussions, damages, and fragmented memories of it started as far back as 3 years old. But I realize that I couldn’t do anything to change any of that mess that have happened to me and countless others. I had to realize that I was not the only one suffering here. I never realized what our Lord and Savior had to endure for you and me to have life and life more abundantly. Everything that we have suffered and still suffering right now, He had already endured for the whole world on Calvary.
But the Good News is, We don’t have to suffer like this anymore! Jesus took what you and I had to go through, along with the hurt, pain, anger, and disappointments; and placed them on His body on the Cross and HEALED you and me. We both do not know why we had to endure what we’ve gone through, but we don’t have to suffer anymore if only we lay everything we’ve suffered, including the ones who committed these horrible acts to us, at the FOOT OF HIS CROSS. He has already healed our sins, sicknesses, and infirmities in all aspects of our being. Just reach out and grab His hands and give it all over to Him and let Him love you back to wholeness, Glenn. You don’t have to bare it all by yourself anymore. You need to know that you have been given the power and victory over all you’ve been through. Don’t remain a victim of circumstance, be the VICTOR for you are more than a conqueror through Jesus Christ our Lord! I love you and God bless you!
Juanita Williams
What if life on earth is heaven and hell? What if there is no God? Imagine if you will that your life here on earth is all you get. Would you waste it on things that you cannot change?
hi my name is jessica and i was in your shoes at one time i thought God didnt have his arms around me then it took a very bad experiance to open my eyes i could of got hit by a car all of this should of could of would of happen to me but i was so mad at God and i asked him one night and the next day i was satisfide God does everything to us for a reason we may ask God why it have to happen to me or to them or what ever it may be it just makes us a bigger and better person why dont you come check out my website it is http://www.facebook.com/stillstrongtoday you can read what has happen to me and maybe you will understand cause i have not lost my faith with god
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My Granddaughter just informed us she has become an athiest. Her oldest has been severely burned by a cigarette by his dad. There has been a court custody battle for seven years. The judge is corrupt as are the lawyers. Four professionals, doctors have testified the dad is insane and physically harming this child. Two doctors tried to have this guy arrested. Money talks in this case and this judge is dirty, dirty, dirty. Anyone w/o money would already be incarcerated for burning a child with a cigarette.
What do we say to our Granddaughter when we are puzzled and confused, too?
My heart breaks for you, your granddaughter and her child. An evil man has and continues to hurt all of you. I don’t think there’s anything you can say to your granddaughter beyond assuring her of your love no matter what she decides. At this point, she’s seeing God behind this many and her pain. However, God is next to her wanting to share and to ease her pain. If you show unconditional love to her, along with trusting God in spite of your doubts and fears, you will leave the door open for her to recognize that God truly is on her side.
I’m praying now that the Spirit of peace will bring healing to your hearts and to your family. I’m also pleading with the Just Judge of all judges to bring about justice for all of you.
Please let me know how things progress.
My grandson and grandaughter were sexually assualted by their father and six other adults. We have been seeking justice for two years. My grandchildren continue in therapy and my daughter and two grandchildren have been with us since this hellish nightmare has unfolded. These people work in churches with children and appearance wise you would never suspect them. They are clearly the wolf in sheep clothing God’s word speaks of in the bible. They sit with our children praying with them,when all the while they are preying on them. Our family has had some form of legal services going since are children spoke out of the abuse to numerous sources. My daughter has full physical and legal custody of the children. She was given the right on a civil level by the judge, to change their last names as well as change their birth certificate names to her maiden name. How guilty and bad do you have to be to have a judge grant that! But still this pervert walks free to continue his abuse. He is remarried to a woman in another church with two small children. Why why why, would God allow this devil to roam free while our lifes have been forever shattered by this monstor? We live in constant replay of the sexual abuse these sick perverts inflicted on our babies,as our grandchildren unfold the full truth of it thru therapy. Every time they reveal graphic details of the physical pain ,it drops us to our knees in pure anguish. When we hear how our ex-son inlaw is doing and getting alone fine,its like pouring salt into a open wound. We cry to God for justice and pray for the truth to be revealed to all those he continues to lie and decieve in his church. Still just silence.How can he be allowed by God to continue. He works with camera’s and computers taping Christian works and testimonies. He promotes Christian propaganda! He makes me want to vomit! He plays in the church band. Why and when will God take him down.Don’t tell me in God’s time and when he dies he will get his. I want him to get his now! Our family would love to give him now what he deserves I guarantee you. He needs revealed to all. That is his greatest fear. So why has God not done that. Why would another child have to suffer?
Vengeance is mine sayeth the Lord. This man should not be allowed in public. In prison, where he belongs, removed from society, as he has blown his chances to be a free man. I don’t have the answers except that the world is a dark place and ruled by the prince of darkness and the free will of man. I am so sorry about what has happened, that is disgusting to say the least.
You do need to reveal all, he shouldn’t be around kids, he has proven that. Wow, God be with you and guide you through this. Please look to Him and not to your own anger to get this job done. Focus on the face of Jesus, forgive, pray…..whew….God bless you and and the kids with EVERYTHING heaven has to pour out upon you all!!!!
God is a righteous God. He has given each one a free will and will not prevent us from following our own wills instead of His (the blessing and curse of the age of grace). Your ex son-in-law has chosen to follow after his own twisted lusts and I am so sorry you grandbabies were used to slake those evil desires. Take comfort in knowing God does not give us anything we cannot handle through Him (1 Cor 10:13). He is our refuge and strength – hold fast to your faith. And be encouraged that God is not deceived by this man – he will be destroyed (Gal 6:7-8). Shake that man’s dust off your feet Cheryl and give your worries to Jesus. God is the greatest avenger. When God takes His vengeance it is over a life time and it is thorough. God will rip away everything that offending sojourner ever held dear in his life just as God did to Haman. And if He does not, the only reason I can think of why He does not is because your ex son-in-law might one day become a brother in Christ. This might be a harrowing thought but it is not uncommon. The Nazi guard who was responsible for Corrie Ten Boom’s sister’s death became a Christian. He walked right up to Corrie and asked for forgiveness and she had to forgive him. Continue to walk with and gain the Lord so His forgiveness can be yours too. It makes me apprehensive that such men, as your ex son-in-law, infiltrate the churches but Jesus did tell us this would happen (Mat 7:15) and Paul reiterates this fact (Rom 16:17). Instead of agonizing over why God does not answer your prayers by revealing this evil man to others, use this trial to empathize with Christ, God’s own son, whose prayers went unanswered in the garden of Gethsemane. And never stop praying for the safety of your brothers and sisters and their own babies from these wolves. Ask God to open their eyes to such hidden ones. I will be praying for you Cheryl and your family. Press on in the Lord – leave all things behind (Philip 3:12-14).
there have not been many times in my life that i have asked God why but recently i was told about a video of a mother beating her 10 month old baby and some memories came flooding back. but my question is why would God allow that to happen to that precious child. she was beating the child with hate, she kicked her, she slapped her, the baby came to lay her head on her mother’s lap and the mother pushed her over on her back. this is the worse thing i have ever heard of and i have been overwhelmed for two weeks about this act and this i am having a hard time wrapping my mind around. what would be the purpose in such a horrible act? i keep trying to tell myself that the little baby is fine because she was sent to a foster home, i try to imagine the child as being happy and free but i just can’t get that beating out of my mind. there are times i cry uncontrollably. i just don’t get it.
That is an overwhelming story. It’s hard to imagine and makes me sick as well. This is an ugly world. We made it this way. Yes, it is God’s creation, but remember that when God had everything the way he wanted it even the lion and the lamb were lying down together in peace – that’s when he said, “it is good”. That was before sin crashed in. When he created us in his image he gave us free will. We took that free will and decided to divorce ourselves from God (the Bible says each of us continues to do so). Of course he knew we would do that so he had Jesus planned even before creation. Still, sin has changed everything and continues to do so. My recommendation is to hate sin with all your heart. Let that hatred (and yes, I do mean hatred) move you to be the workpiece of God’s justice. When justice doesn’t seem possible to you know that God still has the last word and justice will ultimately be served!
None of these conversations here can explain why God lets things happen to children, especially lifelong molestation. To me, he seems like a hateful God.
I agree. I’ve tried and tried and simply can not get over how God allows such heinous acts to happen to children. If he is “working” in the world- Healing some, protecting others, blessing some, showering others with favor, how can he choose not to spare a child from tortured by abuse? I just do not understand.
I’m struggling right now as I watch the news stories unfold regarding the massacre of children at the elementary school in CT. How and why? I’m sickened. I see no reason. You pray to protect your children. Then this happens. I struggle to comprehend how and why for the two children stabbed by their nanny in NYC this fall. Torturing children? How God? Why God? I’m starting to feel nervous about my faith. I have always believed. I fear not believing. But I’m also starting to fear believing.
Here is a thoughtful reflection on this evil and horror. I could not have said it better. Where was God?
please tell me where god was when those innocent babies were shot and killed yesterday in connetaccit?? why did he let this happen? i have lost my faith in him it is uncalled for.
Here is a thoughtful reflection on this evil and horror. I could not have said it better. Where was God?
When I reflect, and realize that God watched his own son Jesus tortured and killed, and ALLOWED it to happen (have no pause….God DID allow it to happen, afterall, he can do anything), makes me realize that there is no possible way we can understand the answer of “why?”. The answer to “where was God?”, and “Why?”, is simply beyond our comprehension.
What would you do to prevent evil from touching your child? What would you do, to stop someone from harming your innocent little one? I have no doubt, you would do ANYTHING in your power.
Now, realize that God, did not. He watched it happen to Jesus. He stood, and watched. And, he knew about it before hand!! Think about that long, and hard. There’s no way you can wrap your head around that. It’s beyond you. I mean waaaaay beyond you. So, asking “why?”, is not going to garner an answer you can cope with, let alone understand.
The better question is “how long are you gonna watch us destroy all of this wonderful world you gave us, O Lord?” Because, we certainly aren’t making it better. If we don’t turn it around, God will certainly do it for us. Remember Sodom and Gomorrah. I think the unspeakable events of CT, last week, are clear evidence that we are quickly approaching a very ugly time here on earth. Above, Donna writes of her losing faith. Please, Donna, I beg of you, don’t let evil take another (your) soul. Evil has already taken too many. Stand up, and admit you do not understand, but that you have faith. If you had faith before, then you should have faith now. Tighten your seatbelt, Donna. Buckle up. We’re gonna need people of strong faith moving forward…it’s gonna get real ugly out there….We need YOU on our side.
There is no God. Your deity is a joke. You waste your breathe and energy in prayer, in vain. You look to Him as a junkie looks to the needle.
The fool says in his heart,
“There is no God.”
They are corrupt, and their ways are vile;
there is no one who does good.
Psalm 53:1
Your unbelief does not alter reality.
I list my mom and three grand children in a car accident and i am a Christian but found myself to be mad at god…. And this info is helping