It’s cancer.
You’re fired.
Killed in action.
These are words nobody wants to hear–EVER.
Yet there are times, “When Bad Things Happen to Good People,” as Rabbi Harold Kushner writes in his book by the same name.
Rabbi Kushner wrote this inspirational classic after his three year old son was diagnosed with a degenerative disease that meant the boy would only live into his teens. The book reveals the heart of a spiritual leader, father and vulnerable human being as he deals with one of life’s most burdensome questions: Why, God?
It’s a question we find in abundance throughout the Psalms of King David. Like a bookend on a shelf, such a heartfelt inquiry starts Psalm 10.
Why, O Lord do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?
Psalm 10:1
Have you ever felt this way? I have. And the question that kept coming to mind was, “Where are you God?” But there was no immediate A after the Q.
Maybe you’ve experienced or know someone who has experienced a similar situation.
- They were supposed to get promoted, but are out of a job instead.
- Retired to enjoy their golden years, but then their spouse got sick.
- Had a marriage that wasn’t supposed to fail, but did.
- Lost loved ones, seemingly before their time, to a terrible disease.
I don’t intend for this to be a totally downer post, but reality says even the strongest believer can lose hope.
This happened to the disciples during their last meal with Jesus, when he delivered the following unwelcome news: “Guys, I’m about to be killed in action.” He also said He’d come back to life again in three days, but they didn’t hear that part. The Lord lost them at KIA.
In a moment, an ordinary Passover became the Last Supper. “This is NOT how the story is supposed to go!” blurted Peter. But it was already happening. Palm Sunday was about to become Face-Palm Friday.
This feeling persisted even AFTER the resurrection. On the road to Emmaus, Jesus spoke with two followers who said, “We had trusted (past tense) that He was the one to deliver Israel.”
Has anyone else ever been in what seemed like a totally hopeless situation–groping in the dark for answers? I have.
Apparently, King David’s critics like to taunt him with the same question over and over: “Where is your God?” (Psalm 42:3,10) However, they missed something; it was still early in the game. And like Rosabeth Moss Kanter says,
“Everything looks like failure in the middle.”
Near the end of Psalm 10 there is another book end, and this one isn’t a doubt filled question:
But you, O God, do see trouble and grief; you consider it to take it in hand.
Psalm 10:14
God sees.
God knows.
Gods acts.
Now these are words that are welcome–ALWAYS!
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
Psalm 46:1
Prayer:
Heavenly Father: Today, I choose to remember the dark seasons of my life, and to celebrate the fact that, even then and there, Jesus was all that I really needed. I praise you, God. For even though I was tempted to lose ALL hope, thanks to Your amazing grace I DID NOT!
Need help with resiliency? One of my go to sites is Don’t Lose Hope. It’s an online community focused on betrayal trauma, but addresses other life stressors as well. Please check it out!
Photo by Matthew Henry on Unsplash
Davids Daily Dose 
Comments
29 responses to “Unwelcome News”
Congrats on your acceptance into grad school! Like you said, sometimes something bad paves the way for something better. Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts. God Bless.
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I agree 100%. Things do always appear to be failure before the Lord saves the day. But the main point being, He does save the day.
I was a candidate to be the executive director. However, for a bias in the interviewer, I did not get a fair shot. Not getting that shot made me finally get and turn in all my references to apply to graduate school. Before the end of the same week that I found out I didnt get the job, I got accepted into graduate school.
Sometimes something bad happens so something better comes along. It looks like He wants my role in this life to stay healing people.
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You’re welcome. Me too. Blessings to you as well.
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Thank you for adding the link to my blog, David! I hope it helps a few of your readers. Bless you!
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Amen!!! powerful prayer🙏
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Thank you, Marie. I’m glad God is still faithful—even if we are not.
God Bless.
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Wow, something to definitely think on. I’ve had a Q where the A didn’t immediately follow. That’s when I’m reminded that in the dark times there is always a light shining to show the way. It’s up to us to choose whether we stay in the dark or we choose light and life. It isn’t always going to be easy, but Christ never said it would be. As long as we remember to put our trust in Him, He will see us through. Thanks for the good word! God bless.
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Right! Where could we go…even in the darkest times? Christ has the words of eternal life.
Amen, and God Bless.
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Face palm Friday made me laugh out loud!
One of my favorites:
“From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.” – John 6:66-69
In dark times when I don’t know what to do… where else would I go?
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Yes sir! Like the old hymn says, 🎶Little is Much When God Is in It. 🎶 Thank you.
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Funny that our pastor’s 3 points were a lot like yours from an entirely different passage. Jesus sat to watch the offerings He saw the widow and He said she had given all. Thanks for confirmation. Blessings
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Np!
Yes, it was all prophesied.
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I appreciate the additional info.
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Actually, Rabbi Kusher is still alive. I just looked it up. According to Wikipedia, he is affiliated with the progressive wing of conservative Judaism. I just wanted to give you a heads up.
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AND the scriptures foretold all that would occur. Perhaps it was just too much to take in as it was actually happening.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
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Good to know
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“In light and in shadow, always with love”. Yes! God is God wherever you are.
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It’s crazy that they didn’t realize that, hey? After Jesus had risen, the disciples were gathered together. When the news that Jesus was gone reached them, they were doubtful.
The most crazy thing about this all is that they didn’t believe that He was the messiah. The sign of the prophet Jonah (three days and three nights) was the ONLY sign given that would prove that He was the messiah. They didn’t recognize that.
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I have visited and revised darkness throughout my life and I have learned that when I give into the pain, sadness and fear turning it all over to the almighty Father, our God, relief came in waves. Riding these waves of surrender, trust, hope and faith led me to a deeper love for God and for myself. I believe salvation and mercy begins when I can cease resisting the pain, let go and allow God. Embracing it all. It’s part of our human emotions to want to hang on yet God shows us another path, it ends our suffering and allows His light and love to pour in. What a beautifully written post David, I adore the picture. I have owned many pugs in my life and their personalities are so human like. I can relate to the feeling of wanting to crawl up in a blanket and block out what’s happening. The cycle of grief and healing is a part of the journey. Some of us experience it in greater amounts yet I believe it all serves to expand our hearts into a greater love for God and others. Compassion both for ourselves and others for we never know what others are going through. Kindness for each other is one of His greatest lessons for us. The darkness of dwelling within the shadows builds resilence, a stronger faith and trust that no matter what God will see us through. That’s why I say, “In light and in shadow, always with love”. Namaste my dear friend ❤
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I sorta read between the lines that the disciples fixated on the bad news while misunderstanding (or completely missing) the good.
It’s only human nature to do this, I suppose.
Thank you for sharing your feedback. Blessings.
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Liked “He also said He’d come back to life again in three days, but they didn’t hear that part.”
I always wondered about this. It seems reasonable that the disciples didn’t hear Jesus say he would rise in three days.
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So true that God sees, knows, and acts. I am so grateful for that!
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Wow … that’s so kind of you David. My goal is always to encourage, support, and to help those who suffer to feel less alone, and more understood.
And thank you for the amazing work you are doing here. You are a blessing to many!
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Amen! Thank you. Your comment encapsulates what I wanted to say.
After church today, I’m going to edit this post to include a link to your blog. Someone who needs hope can find it on your site as well!
Blessings.
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Thanks for this very real post. Bad things DO happen to good people. Bad things happen to God’s people. And it can be totally devastating. But, as you point out, God is still there. He is still a loving stronghold who understands the depths of our turmoil , and there is a comfort in that. God sees our suffering and He responds. How He will do that is an unknown at the time, but we can look back and traces His hand in EVERY circumstance.
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Right on, Betty! Whatever happens going forward in life, we must bring our faith! It’s amazing what weathering a few storms will do for one’s resolve. However, this pandemic, that keeps going and going, is a new one for us all.
Thank God for wise grandmothers and grandfathers. I was blessed to have both.
I hope you and Dan enjoy your day as well. Blessings.
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Silly humans (especially this one) are still not getting it two centuries later. The book by Kushner is a good one. However, he has a rather watered-down view of God’s sovereignty. He is (or was) a somewhat progressive Jewish Rabbi.
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Yes, David. I have had times in my life where all looked hopeless, and I felt defeated. My Grandma used to say, “The Lord never gives you more than you can handle.” There were times I replied, “Yes, but He gets pretty d*mn close!” My Grandma and my mother were both strong women. I feel stronger now that I have weathered some storms in life, but, (my prayer), please, God, don’t test me! Whatever happens going forward in life, I’ll bring my faith. Thanks for your post, and enjoy your day!
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I LOL’ d (reverently of course) when I read “Palm Sunday was about to become Face-Palm Friday”. I can just picture Jesus doing that & thinking “Silly humans, why do you still not get it?”
Also you have now given me another book for my to-read list, thanks!
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