2008 Woodie Awards
Spiritual Connections: Bad things happen to good people
Dr. Harvey Smith
Issue date: 3/7/08 Section: Opinion
There was one response to last week's article regarding our purpose in life. Is it from a divine plan or simply by chance?
"I suppose I should begin by saying I'm from Tucson, AZ. I'm also a Christian who believes that God has a plan for everyone as stated in the Bible (see Jeremiah 29:11). Why did I move to New York? Because I had a calling from God to come up here, go to SUNY Canton, and then transfer to Potsdam State. It's because of Him that I'm in certain classes, not due to chance. I highly recommend The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren to anyone who isn't sure why they're here." Michelle
Today's article deals with a tough spiritual question. If God is a loving God, then why do bad things happen to good people? I find that this questions forms the basis for many people to either reject what faith they had or, as some would have it, cling all the more to their faith in order to get them through a particular tough time.
I once had a student who told me he was a firm believer in God, but that changed with the death of his father. His dad had been a teacher and was about ready to retire. The father had also been his son's coach while in high school. When the father had his heart attack the student said he prayed hard that God would heal him. When his father died shortly after he had prayed that he would live, he stopped believing in God and stopped altogether going to church. When he told me this personally, he had tears running down his face and said, "How could there ever be a loving God who would let my father die?"
How would you answer this student? Maybe something like this has happened to you. I would welcome your response. Next week I will publish those who respond and I will share what I told the student who had given up believing in a God.
Please send your response to my e-mail address at smithha@potsdam.edu. I must hear from you before noon on Monday in order meet my publishing deadline.
Editor's Note: Due to February Break the articles for "Spiritual Connections" got out of order and the response to this question was printed in last week's edition of The Racquette. Anyone who has a response to this question should still feel free to email Dr. Harvey Smith. The Racquette apologizes for any confusion. Next week "Spiritual Connections" will continue as scheduled.
"I suppose I should begin by saying I'm from Tucson, AZ. I'm also a Christian who believes that God has a plan for everyone as stated in the Bible (see Jeremiah 29:11). Why did I move to New York? Because I had a calling from God to come up here, go to SUNY Canton, and then transfer to Potsdam State. It's because of Him that I'm in certain classes, not due to chance. I highly recommend The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren to anyone who isn't sure why they're here." Michelle
Today's article deals with a tough spiritual question. If God is a loving God, then why do bad things happen to good people? I find that this questions forms the basis for many people to either reject what faith they had or, as some would have it, cling all the more to their faith in order to get them through a particular tough time.
I once had a student who told me he was a firm believer in God, but that changed with the death of his father. His dad had been a teacher and was about ready to retire. The father had also been his son's coach while in high school. When the father had his heart attack the student said he prayed hard that God would heal him. When his father died shortly after he had prayed that he would live, he stopped believing in God and stopped altogether going to church. When he told me this personally, he had tears running down his face and said, "How could there ever be a loving God who would let my father die?"
How would you answer this student? Maybe something like this has happened to you. I would welcome your response. Next week I will publish those who respond and I will share what I told the student who had given up believing in a God.
Please send your response to my e-mail address at smithha@potsdam.edu. I must hear from you before noon on Monday in order meet my publishing deadline.
Editor's Note: Due to February Break the articles for "Spiritual Connections" got out of order and the response to this question was printed in last week's edition of The Racquette. Anyone who has a response to this question should still feel free to email Dr. Harvey Smith. The Racquette apologizes for any confusion. Next week "Spiritual Connections" will continue as scheduled.
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