Anonymous (via GotQuestions)
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S. Michael Houdmann
Supporter
Every year, there are wildfires around the world. In 2012, and again in 2013, several fires devastated commercial and residential areas in the state of Colorado. Thousands of people were forced to ...
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Robin Morse
Supporter
I too have lost a house to a fire. I was in the process of buying the house but was renting it while the papers were being processed. I will never forget the words that I had spoken aloud 3 days before signing those papers. My mom said to me, "are you sure this is what God wants for you?" My answer was, "The only way I'm not going to sign these papers is if God himself burns the place down." I was determined to do things MY way. God said "really now." (not out loud mind you). Well lo and behold, that house burned down. I learned a few powerful lessons that day. The first one is a big one. NEVER challenge God. Never think you can do some things alone and some things with God. He's got your back ALL the time not just some of the time. Another valuable lesson is, I had family in the house at the time, and they were spared, except one dog. As sad as it was losing my pup, it could have been my daughter or grandson. I am thankful they all made it out alive. I did lose a lot of valued possessions including my dads jacket that smelled like him. (he had just passed away 6 months prior). But I lost nothing more valued than my children's and grandchildren's lives. Other lessons I learned: Family is wonderful. My family pulled together to get money, clothes, food, shelter and anything else needed for a few days. The community I live in pulled together and sent money, clothes, furniture, and everything else I could use. My church family got together and got me cleaning supplies, towels, even a beautiful coat rack etc. Etc. Etc. Red Cross came to help and supplied us with a gas card and some clothes for our immediate needs. Now God was definitely working all over the place, he sent an angelic real estate agent in my path, she found me a house just down the road from where I was at, for the same price, perfect in every way, huge compared to the tiny little thing I was going to buy. (like 4 times the size, the kitchen was bigger than the whole other house). It had land and a brook, and was a perfect house like someone built it to my specifications. Lots of prayers were said, I didn't make a move without God this time. I had the exact amount of money I needed for the down payment and closing costs etc. We closed on that house. It was perfect. God had my back. He knew what I needed and He knew I was settling and He had something better in mind. Know that there is a reason. God says that some things are only here for a season. There's a time for every purpose under heaven. He has a plan for you just as He did me. Look to God for the answers. Find peace in knowing God is in control.
Myron Robertson
Supporter
Only someone that knows you and God's law extremely well can answer this question for you. In other words, probably only you can answer this question, and only after some long, prayerful study and soul searching. The simplistic answer is that with God the punishment always fits the crime, but it does not take much study to discover that there are problems with the simplistic answer and it is often false. Jesus was quick to make a point of this in John 9:3 after his disciples asked him if the man was born blind as a result of his parents' sin(s) or his own. Jesus said, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. God does not punish; God disciplines. There is a difference. Discipline always has a restorative and educational factor to it, and discipline does not necessarily require that we sin first as punishment does. It is also always seen as some form of adversity by those being subjected to it. Proverbs 3:12 and Hebrews 12:6 tell us that God disciplines those he loves. Hebrews 12 is speaking of those he has called as sons. Proverbs 13:24 says that the parent who disciplines his child loves the child but the one who does not discipline hates the child, and Proverbs 12:1 says those who love discipline are wise but those who hate correction are foolish. Isaiah 26:9, 10 tell us that when God disciplines us we learn righteousness, but when he shows grace to the wicked they continue in their sins. God does not discipline the neighbor's kids, he only disciplines his own. If you are not experiencing adversity in some form at some time in your life you are not a child of God. The adversity, regardless of form, shows that there is something God wants you to learn which you probably will not learn any other way. The more serious the adversity the more likely it is that you have been ignoring previous lessons but even that is not always the case. The prime biblical example of all this is Job. Because of his obedience and wisdom he was well blessed by God and Satan was not willing to mess with him even when God called him to Satan's attention. Satan believed Job would curse God if the blessings were removed, so the primary issue here was to prove a point to Satan. But as we read the story we find there were other issues as well. In his adversity Job was visited by four friends, three of which spent the entire time trying to convince him to repent of the sins that were the obvious cause of this adversity. They could not tell him what those sins were but they wanted him to repent. Those three men set forth three false views of God and how he works that are common in various parts of the church today. Most of us hold one of those three views and they are what Jesus rebuked in John 9:3. Finally Eliphaz spoke up, telling these men (including Job) that he had sat quietly because he assumed being the youngest he was also the least wise, but he could no longer sit back and listen to their stupidity because they all lacked an understanding of God. He was the only one of these five men that God did not rebuke when he finally spoke to them directly. God says that Job did complain some about the adversity Satan brought against him, but not once did he sin (Note it was at God's instigation, not Satan's and Satan never exceeded the limits of adversity God set for this test. Also note God paid the restitution at the end of the test, not Satan. It was God's doing, not Satan's.) However, once God rebuked Job's three friends he turned to Job with a considerable amount of rebuke as well. Job may not have sinned, but there was much Job needed to learn about both himself and God which was also a reason for this test. All things work together for good if we will simply follow Paul's advice, rejoice in all things, even adversity, and seek out the lessons God has for us in those things he asks us to experience and submit to. There is a purpose. Look for it.
Michael Tinsley
Supporter
The commenters above have covered how God's ways are not our ways and trying to explain the inexplicable is a difficult task at best. You have my deepest sympathy for the loss of your home and possessions. Being in a state of despair it is difficult to find meaning in such a tragedy but, cling to your faith in God's mercy, grace, and love. He works in unknown ways at times and only later do we understand. One thing you _must not do is listen to _anyone trying to tell you that you had hidden sin in your life and God punished you for that. Its dismaying, but some churches actually teach that lie and make someone suffering feel even worse. God doesn't punish like that at all. He is _not a mean spirited courtroom judge waiting to convict you, especially about something you weren't conscious of. Flee from people who want you to believe its your fault. God loves you way beyond human understanding and loves you as He loves Jesus, Ephesians 3:12 says, 'In Him and through faith in Him (Jesus) we may enter God's presence with boldness and confidence.' In Hebrews 4:16 it says, 'Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.' Let your faith remain in His love for you and know that, even in terrible circumstances, He will hold you up in His love and give you His joy and peace beyond understanding. In Christ Jesus, Michael
Ann Shackelford
Supporter
I am sorry that you have lost your home. God did not let your house burn down. Unfortunately we have an enemy who comes to kill, steal, and destroy. John 10:10 "the thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich satisfying life." God gives us his word so we can have a good life. Psalm 91 is pray for protection.
Deineria Richardson
Supporter
The scriptures says in 1Kings-12:24 Thus saith the LORD, for this thing is from me,. My doing. God is the alpha & omega the beginning and the end. Nothing happens without His consent. He is in total control. Why does He allows bad things to happen? Is indeed one of the many mysteries of God. Our steps are ordered prior to forming in the womb(Psalm-119:133). I do know that God is faithful. He will never leave us or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6). He will always give us a way out. Strengthen us for the journey. A testimony in the making. A chance to draw closer to God. May our Father bless you and keep you is my prayer.
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