Hi Shalom -
Some people believe that bad things happen as punishment, for example, that cancer, earthquakes, hurricanes, plagues, are punishments.
Some people believe that bad things come from the Devil, because God can only do good, and bad things must be evil.
Me, I believe that we simply don't know enough to understand why God does what God does, but things we think of as bad are neither punishment nor do they come from the Devil. Things we think of as bad may be (are) "bad" to us, but they are not evil.
God did not make evil. Evil is turning away from God. By giving us free will, God gave us the ability to do evil.
I don't know how your son died, but I don't believe it was meant to be a punishment to you, nor a rebuke. There is no connection between your faith and his death, nor your lack of faith (if any) and his death. God does what God does. We are too small and our brains are too tiny to comprehend.
On this anniversary of 9/11, I take exception to all the "true believers" who say that the attack on the WTC is a sign that God is angry with us, or that Allah favored the attackers. God would not punish innocent people for the sins of others.
I pray that you may regain your faith. I ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. |
