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Dealing with bad things.. - 10/24/2009 6:27:06 AM
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Concerto
Posts: 129
Joined: 10/20/2006
Status: offline
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This week there was a story about a young girl who, while walking home from school, disappeared. Sadly, they eventually found her body in a landfill.
It seems like these types of stories are becoming more common these days. I wonder what is the proper way to process these events in the mind of a believer.
We all know that the world is fallen. As such, these things are going to happen. Also, per 2 Tim 3, these in general are going to continue to worsen. But still, where is the outcry? You hear tragic stories in the news by the newscaster, and then, "Well Bob, we sure did have a hot day today, what's up with the weather?" We move on to the next story...
Praying that things will get better is no good, because the Bible says, as already mentioned above, things are not going to get better. Some will say, "Oh, just don't watch the news anymore." While there is a lot of wisdom in that advice, since we are to renew our minds and set our minds on things above, somehow, just turning away from the horrors in the world seems too easy, too convenient.
While I am not Catholic, and do not support the structure, and/or theology of that belief system, where is the Pope? He is very well known. Why does he not address the world more often? He is in a good position to cry out to humanity and direct everyone to God and warn that repentance is needed throughout the world.
C
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RE: Dealing with bad things.. - 10/24/2009 8:24:50 AM
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enommaz
Posts: 5
Joined: 10/23/2009
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Concerto
This week there was a story about a young girl who, while walking home from school, disappeared. Sadly, they eventually found her body in a landfill.
It seems like these types of stories are becoming more common these days. I wonder what is the proper way to process these events in the mind of a believer.
We all know that the world is fallen. As such, these things are going to happen. Also, per 2 Tim 3, these in general are going to continue to worsen. But still, where is the outcry? You hear tragic stories in the news by the newscaster, and then, "Well Bob, we sure did have a hot day today, what's up with the weather?" We move on to the next story...
Praying that things will get better is no good, because the Bible says, as already mentioned above, things are not going to get better. Some will say, "Oh, just don't watch the news anymore." While there is a lot of wisdom in that advice, since we are to renew our minds and set our minds on things above, somehow, just turning away from the horrors in the world seems too easy, too convenient.
While I am not Catholic, and do not support the structure, and/or theology of that belief system, where is the Pope? He is very well known. Why does he not address the world more often? He is in a good position to cry out to humanity and direct everyone to God and warn that repentance is needed throughout the world.
C
You know I don't know if things are so much worse, as bad things seem to be reported more often. In Biblical times they didn't have television, TV cameras, a 24 hour a day news media , and or internet -- so the awareness of tragic events during Biblical times was nowhere near the degree we have in our modern time. Technology has made all the difference. There wasn't as many people in the world during Biblical times as there are today either. These are some things that I would think about in order to gain perspective first.
I think prayer makes a difference. Prayer with work makes an even greater difference. God through Christ has redeemed the world -- mankind (on the whole) has yet to catch up with this redemption, this is my belief. I've had to learn that what I may view as good or evil morally, may not be exactly in line with how God sees the world. God sees things and understands things on levels the mortal mind can't comprehend, (unless He chooses to grace us with this level of understanding).
The Universe began with God and it ends with God -- there is no power greater. Death will come to us all, by what means none of us are truly sure (unless gleaned with a divine awareness). God is the restorer of all.
Through the love and redemptive power of Christ , perhaps what appears to us as the horrid death of an innocent child is a divinely orchestrated homecoming for he/she -- where God develops and challenges those who are touched by the death of this child to seek His comfort, His compassion, His mercy, His justice.
Turning away from the horrors of the world is not the way. We all must do what we can to protect the lives of others. Prayer, compassion, non-judgment toward others -- all of these things can help better our world. Yet we have to know when we've gotten our momentary fill of negativity, or other types of worldliness. I'm sure Jesus took out time to commune with The Father (in order to continuously restore and strengthen himself for daily salvation and for the greater Salvation through Christ).
I feel that God has blessed us all with an intuition to know when we've had enough of the momentary tragedies of the world. At these times we should ask God to restore us to full health -- and then continue on helping others.
All is in God's hands, we have to take comfort in this.
< Message edited by enommaz -- 10/24/2009 8:39:45 AM >
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RE: Dealing with bad things.. - 10/24/2009 12:57:57 PM
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LCannon
Posts: 1118
Joined: 2/22/2007
From: Lebanon, OR
Status: offline
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It's always amusing to me whenever 'bad' things happen 9/11, abduction/abuse, Columbine or even natural events and the like, God gets blamed for 'not preventing' the bad'; any 'bad'. It's not God's fault or even responsibility but mankind's evil nature is to blame and bears the responsibility. The faster the 'evil' learns that the more responsible he becomes to the point of repentance or not.
Mark 14:5-'...And they scolded her. 6 But Jesus said, "Let her alone; why do you trouble her? She has performed a good service for me. 7 For you always have the poor with you, and you can show kindness to them whenever you wish; but you will not always have me. 8 She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for its burial.'
_____________________________
'I will never leave you nor forsake you.' (Joshua 1:5)
''Let the very worst thing come to pass[and]even there,
especially there; His hand will hold.' -Elisabeth Elliot-
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RE: Dealing with bad things.. - 10/24/2009 2:47:19 PM
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deermousie
Posts: 2216
Joined: 9/26/2007
Status: online
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You can take great comfort from this:
For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
Isaiah 9:6,7
See the promise and notice who is going to make it happen. God cannot be thwarted. Yay!!!!
_____________________________
"Through Gates of Splendor" by Elizabeth Elliot
"Federal Husband" by Doug Wilson
www.biblegateway.com for online concordance (I use it daily)
"Passion and Purity" by Elizabeth Elliot
And I think chickens are really funny
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RE: Dealing with bad things.. - 10/24/2009 10:15:12 PM
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sunshine4God
Posts: 6443
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: Sterling Ct.
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: deermousie
You can take great comfort from this:
For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
Isaiah 9:6,7
See the promise and notice who is going to make it happen. God cannot be thwarted. Yay!!!!
Amen and Praise God! You are such an encouraging person and
a blessing to others.
_____________________________
Matthew 5:16.
"Let your light so shine before men that they will see
your good deeds and glorify your Lord".
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1551456458&ref=profile.I finally joined!!
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RE: Dealing with bad things.. - 10/25/2009 1:03:09 AM
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WanderingLamb
Posts: 275
Joined: 11/10/2005
From: Western WA, USA
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Concerto
This week there was a story about a young girl who, while walking home from school, disappeared. Sadly, they eventually found her body in a landfill.
It seems like these types of stories are becoming more common these days. I wonder what is the proper way to process these events in the mind of a believer.
We all know that the world is fallen. As such, these things are going to happen. Also, per 2 Tim 3, these in general are going to continue to worsen. But still, where is the outcry? You hear tragic stories in the news by the newscaster, and then, "Well Bob, we sure did have a hot day today, what's up with the weather?" We move on to the next story...
Praying that things will get better is no good, because the Bible says, as already mentioned above, things are not going to get better. Some will say, "Oh, just don't watch the news anymore." While there is a lot of wisdom in that advice, since we are to renew our minds and set our minds on things above, somehow, just turning away from the horrors in the world seems too easy, too convenient.
While I am not Catholic, and do not support the structure, and/or theology of that belief system, where is the Pope? He is very well known. Why does he not address the world more often? He is in a good position to cry out to humanity and direct everyone to God and warn that repentance is needed throughout the world.
C
I know what you mean, Concerto! Sometimes I'd hear about these things and feel so down the rest of the day. I would feel almost like it happened to me or my child. But other times I have felt absolutely nothing. Yeah, we can get quite desensitized. On the other hand, as enommaz wisely said, we are much more aware of these things today than people have been historically, so if you try to take in everything you hear about, you will be absolutely overwhelmed! Thank God He takes that burden. He will execute His Justice and wipe every tear from their eyes. He can handle their pain and give them comfort. Also, it is amazing what sometimes happens in the lives of the people who experience such trajedies. God is still at work through all the evil and He makes it into good!
As for what to do about it, I agree praying for those involved is always a good idea! And if you are really inspired, why not do something that will assist those experiencing those hard times. But limiting our exposure to the news is also good, since we need to acknowledge our limits, and letting ourselves be weighed down by all the bad definitely gives us a negative perspective! Just as we can't possibly know all the bad that's going on at one time, we also are unaware of the many many good things going on, especially since so much of that is unreported. It reminds me of the Amica Insurance commercial where the mom gets so excited because her son takes out the garbage or something like that. The point is that, if you think about it, it is actually amazing that so much good takes place every day. But those things are thought of as common or ordinary and do not get reported in the news.
There's my $0.02!
_____________________________
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
I'm being brainwashed.
Romans 12:2
Ephesians 5:26
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RE: Dealing with bad things.. - 10/27/2009 3:14:49 PM
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CMT8808
Posts: 248
Joined: 9/4/2009
Status: offline
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Concerto~
take joy in what Deermousies posts says. You need to stand back or refocus.
I will share this and hope it helps you:
I use to work in a specific care hospital (mainly cancer patients) I was married at the time. I had worked there for years and had relationships with some of the patients to the point when I reached the floor a nurse or a Cna would approach me at the beginning of my shift and say : Oh CMT, I know you were friends with this patient so I thought I would tell you first, they died last night.
So now I have my whole shift to work with this knowledge that I lost someone that I cared about, yet also had to be joyful for the other patients and not display what I was feeling, but perform my job to the best of my ability without the interfence of the news.
One day I was getting ready for my second job, when my then husband reported to me of an earthquake that occurred somewhere overseas and many folks had died because of it. I responded, "Oh that's too bad." But before I reached the door, he expressed that I was a cold heart "B".
The truth of the matter is, I do not have control of what is going on over there and God did not make me to be IAN (International Area Network), however I was here doing what He called me for and that was LAN (Local Area Network).
So in order to be effective I can not concern myself with IAN, when my job is LAN. It is not to say we don't say a prayer for them, but we do not have control of the circumstance(s).
We just have to trust God in this and if He puts it in your heart to be IAN then you know you need to focus on it, but if He calls you for LAN then you need to direct your focus to that which is around you.
So when you hear the news or read the paper, etc.. just hand it over to God and do what He appointed you to do with joy knowing He is control of the out of area network.
Hope this makes sense to you, lol
CMT
_____________________________
formerly Delete 123
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RE: Dealing with bad things.. - 11/1/2009 1:31:43 AM
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cwb
Posts: 143
Joined: 1/15/2007
From: Eastern NC
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Concerto
This week there was a story about a young girl who, while walking home from school, disappeared. Sadly, they eventually found her body in a landfill.
When I hear stories like this that uplift Jesus' name so high, I give him praise. 1 Thes 5 18. In EVERYthing give thanks.
3 weeks ago after Sun PM service, the local Christian radio station had a 'this day in history' segment. It was the anniversary of Jack the Ripper's first victim. "Her mutilated body was (more details)... I called them immediately, and let them know that Jesus name was lifted SO high by the story and the details.  Got any more?
Some folks in church offer more details than are necessary when prayer requests are called for. This is disappointing. It's spiritual poison in my opinion, unless there's praise SOMEwhere...
I like my pastor, because in preparing my spiritual meal each Sunday, he does not take evil in the world and mix it in with the spiritual meal. He knows it would not edify our spiritual constitution, rather it could make us sick as rotten food would. Or, merely upset our stomach.
He throws it in the garbage can, where it belongs. He does not tell those he serves that he found some rotten things and that he disposed of them. He knows it would probably ruin our appetite. And as well, he does not offer to call us back into the kitchen to take a gander into the garbage can, and show us even that he knows what we don't need to see.
The Bible tells us to think on good things - praiseworthy things, just, GOOD report, virtuous things. Phil 4 8. I think this means for the most part 24/7. If something bad happens, give praise, for it is the PERFECT will of God (and then DISMISS it). 1 Thes 5 18.
We surely love to look back on evil though, including the details. Very sad that we're that way.
Lot's wife looked back. She looked at death and destruction, fire, murder, rape, car crashes, swine flu, bad economy, corruption, perversions, etc., EVEN AFTER GOD SAID NOT TO LOOK AT THOSE THINGS.
We haven't learned...
This is the day the Lord has made. I WILL rejoice (even when I don't feel like it (PP) ) and be GLAD in it. Ps 118 24.
EDIT:
The Bible tells us that it is a SHAME to speak of the things done by unbelievers... Eph 5 12.
< Message edited by cwb -- 11/1/2009 1:40:42 AM >
_____________________________
We are to do the will of God from our heart. Eph Ch 6 v. 6
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