God's Purifying Fire

February 18, 2017

Day 49: Why Does God Allow Tragedy?:
"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed." —Psalm 34:18

When I first read the title for today's entry, I was excited to see what Anderson had for an answer. However, my hopes were dashed because Anderson didn't have an answer. Instead he shares about the loss of his "close friends (and distant cousins) Jimmy and Jerry Alday [who] were senselessly murdered, along with several of their family members."  They had worked together during the "summers selling watermelons at the Atlanta Farmers Market." This event is what turned Anderson away from God for a long time. He felt like I did when I lost my mom, except it may have been even worse for him because I knew my mother had cancer and would not survive it. He could not have prepared himself to lose his friends (his "big brothers and earthly protectors") so suddenly. He says, "I was no longer certain that my heavenly Protector could be trusted." I know that feeling.

Like Anderson, it has taken years for me to recognize that God has been with me all along. It was I who turned away. Anderson says that "God does not willingly harm his people; rather, he is a God of infinite compassion." In times of grief, Anderson encourages us to "turn toward God instead of away from him."

There is a part of me that believes that "God does not willingly harm his people," but there is still a part that says He does allow it to happen. Why does He allow it to happen is the question? We see tragedy as senseless, but I am coming to believe and trust that God has a plan. My best friend in all the world keeps reminding me of that fact. God does have a plan... for it all—the good, the bad...all of it. It is comforting to believe that we do not suffer in vain. I suppose it is possible for one to suffer in vain, that is if one does not allow oneself to grow and change from those painful experiences. How will we know love if we never experience hate? How will we know exhilarating joy if we never experience deep sadness? How will we ever be victorious and triumphant if we never enter a battle?

If we are ever going to grow in responsibility, generosity, honesty, courage, forgiveness, love, and truth, to a point where these attributes become who we are, then we must be broken, tested, and refined. Just as any precious metal must be broken free from the rock which holds it captive, if it is to be of any value, if it is to be considered precious, it must be refined through fire. All of the impurities must be skimmed off. How can we become pure, if we never enter God's purifying fire?  The trials and tribulations of our lives are part of God's plan to purify us. Though it is easy to say, yet difficult to put into practice, we should rejoice when we face trials because we know that God will bring us through it and we will be better for it.

Psalm 66:10-12  For You have tried us, O God; You have refined us as silver is refined. You brought us into the net; You laid an oppressive burden upon our loins. You made men ride over our heads; We went through fire and through water, Yet You brought us out into a place of abundance.