.: Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People?
Category:Home / Personal Development / Inspirational
This is a question that most people grapple with from time to time and it has largely been on my mind this past week.
You see one of the best people I know -- my Uncle Carl -- had a very bad accident this week. While working on the wood lot with his son, his hand got caught in a log splitter. In the end the damage was so severe that his left hand had to be amputated.
Although no longer a young man, my uncle is very active and enjoys working with his hands. He is right handed but clearly the use of two hands was an important part of his former life and just as clearly that will have to change.
I was devastated when I heard the news and am still shaken by it -- even more so when I think about how much worse the accident could have been. My whole family is upset, especially Uncle Carl's wife and children, most notably my cousin John who was with him at the time.
As I worked through my worry and grief I kept asking myself that question: Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People?
I know people often say this when tragedy occurs, but this is not simple lip service -- it is fact. My uncle is a good man.
He is a very strong family man who is still married to his high school sweetheart. He loves his four children as well as his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a devoted son when his parents were alive and is loved by his siblings, nieces and nephews. He and his wife opened their home to many children and young people over the years and continue to open their home and hearts whenever family, friends, or community require it.
He has worked hard all his life -- using his hands to service the land and master machinery and using his broad shoulders and strong muscles to complete every task set before him.
He has played an important role in his community serving as a volunteer firefighter as well as a cornerstone of his church congregation.
Yes, he is a good man, but his life has not been easy though and I had to question why one more burden needed to be added to his heavy load.
Many Christians will say that God sends us trials to test us. And there might be some truth in that. Many of us are stronger than we think and it takes difficult challenges to make this clear. But I didn't think this applied to my uncle -- he has had many challenges over the course of his life and I think he has a good handle on his own strengths.
However loss also highlights what we have and perhaps have taken for granted. Yes, my uncle has had a difficult life but he has also had a tremendously rewarding one. I don't think there really is much that my uncle wishes for or envies in others. Yes, his siblings may have more money and professional success, but I am confident that Carl would not trade his wife and family for that money any day of the week. And I secretly suspect that if he did in fact have more money that it would be spent in large part on his loved ones.
And he is greatly loved by a great many people. Not just by his immediate and extended family but by the many people whose lives he has touched. I know there are prayers on his behalf winging from coast to coast. I don't think he'd trade that love and the respect that accompanies it for all the professional success his siblings have enjoyed.
We can grieve with him for the loss of his hand, but we can't pity him when we look at the many gifts that God has given him.
What is more, when you step back and take a look at the man he is then you do not even notice the missing hand. He is so much more than the simple sum of his parts and in the end it is the size of his heart that one notices most.
It is important to note that it was his right hand that was preserved -- the very hand he has extended so many times to others to offer love, friendship, and help.
Article keywords: inspiration, motivation, success, dream, fire, difficulty, challenge, dare, loss, struggle, grief
Article Source: http://www.articles32.com
Deanna Mascle is an inspirational freelance writer. You can find more inspiration at Inspiration by Dawggone and her inspirational ezines Words of Inspiration Online and Daily Quote Online.
.: New Inspirational Articles
1). You Are Empowered By God
© 2006, All Rights Reserved
Did you know God has provided ways in His word to empower His children? Did you know there are specific things you can do to contribute to answered prayer, good health, a peaceful life and more? It's true!
Once we are saved, we don't just float through our days hoping to catch God in a good mood when He is willing to answer prayer or provide for our needs.
2). You Are Empowered By God In Your Finances
© 2006, All Rights Reserved
In the first article I wrote dealing with empowerment ("You Are Empowered By God"), I outlined several principles that pertain to God's word with relation to answered prayers. We saw how God makes covenant promises (contract or agreement promises) and how we are empowered by God Himself to bring about many of the blessings that are mentioned in the Bible.
3). Having A Positive Attitude Brings Many Rewards
I am the type of person who used to have a very negative attitude to most aspects of life. I am not alone in thinking this way as most of the people I meet seem to be constantly moaning about different things and basically feeling sorry for themselves. This article looks at the reasons and benefits of having a more positive outlook on life.
About ten years ago I decided that I needed to have a change of approach.
4). The Inspiration of Business
Kathy was sitting in her recliner at her home in California with 3-year-old daughter Lindsay cuddled at her side. Both were watching a show featuring an actress who had designed a line of Victorian jewelry. “I would love to design jewelry,” Kathy thought. But immediately, the all-too-familiar lack of self-esteem whispered, “You could never do that,” and she promptly shoved the desire aside.
5). How People Get Inspired
“Which comes first, the chicken or the egg?”
No matter how this topic is tackled, the question remains a mystery.
“Do you need to be inspired to aspire or do you need an aspiration to get inspired?”
The same holds true for the second question. Others may argue that in order to have a strong desire to achieve something, you must be inspired. On the other hand, some argue that for you to be inspired, you may need to aspire first.
6). Tips to Increase Your Self-Esteem and Confidence
Whenever one is beset by a situation that he or she is unsure of – facing someone admired, having to perform in front of an audience, or simply talking to others – he or she is facing a goodly amount of stress. Confident people are usually able to face these situations without blinking; but the rest of us will probably melt away and try to run away from the situation.
7). 5 Powerful Reasons Why INSPIRATION Should Be a Part of YOUR Success Strategy
Copyright 2006 Cari Vollmer
Let’s face it. Life can be difficult. It just can be. Work pressures mount, family demands become overwhelming, health suffers, stress builds.
I have to admit, it happens to me and when it does, when life gets to be too much or too hard, I put up a “CLOSED for business” sign and seek out a little inspiration.
Inspiration looks good (a beautiful photograph), smells good (a bed of roses), sounds good (Vivaldi’s Four Seasons) and feels good (family photographs, your favorite movie or book).
.: Top Inspirational Articles
1). Random Acts of Kindness
Random Acts of Kindness -
Get Supercharged with Kindness Motivation Tips
Are you looking for ideas or motivation tips to make a difference in your life or for someone else's life? Are you like most everyone and just don't have much time? Can you perform random acts of kindness every day?
Honestly, it doesn't take much time to brighten someone's life.
2). Inspirational Thought For The Day
Are you ready for your inspirational thought for the day? When you first read it, it may seem too simple. However, if you think about it for even a moment, you'll see that the implications are profound - and inspiring. This is t:
"Whatever goals you have in your life, and no matter where you are start, someone has succeeded at something similar or even more difficult, starting with less than you have.
3). Great Teachers
A Great Teacher by Paula Picard
A great teacher always leaves knowledge in his/her wake. They leave you with an understanding and knowingness you had not previously been aware of.
Great teachers do not always make their presence known. The teacher is sometimes disguised as an adversary such as the domineering parent, unfair employer, dishonest business partner, or unfaithful mate.
4). How Can I Tell What Vibes I'm Sending Out?
The Law of Attraction exists in your life right now; whether you understand it or not, whether you know it or not, and whether you like it or not.
Until you learn to use the Law of Attraction in a deliberate way, most of the time you are not aware that you are attracting into your life-more of-whatever you are giving your focus, attention, and energy to.
5). Count Your Chickens Before They've Hatched.
At some stage in your life, you've probably been told not to count your chickens before they have hatched. You were probably told to not get your hopes up and to not expect too much - just in case you might be disappointed. For most of us this, or some variation of it, was told to us over and over again by well meaning, but ill informed people. From an early age the idea of staying in an emotional "safe zone" was instilled in most of us until it eventually became belief systems that now control our behaviours.
6). Tips to Increase Your Self-Esteem and Confidence
Whenever one is beset by a situation that he or she is unsure of – facing someone admired, having to perform in front of an audience, or simply talking to others – he or she is facing a goodly amount of stress. Confident people are usually able to face these situations without blinking; but the rest of us will probably melt away and try to run away from the situation.
7). Having A Positive Attitude Brings Many Rewards
I am the type of person who used to have a very negative attitude to most aspects of life. I am not alone in thinking this way as most of the people I meet seem to be constantly moaning about different things and basically feeling sorry for themselves. This article looks at the reasons and benefits of having a more positive outlook on life.
About ten years ago I decided that I needed to have a change of approach.