SILOAM SPRINGS — Question: Are we supposed to accept all problems as God’s will? If we try to understand the problem, will we lose our peace and reduce our level of faith in God?

Answer: Proverbs 3:5-6.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and don’t depend on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.”

Often when a loved one gets cancer, gets in an automobile crash, or dies, our first question is “Why did this happen!?” Then that question eats on us like a maggot feeds on rotting meat, and we sink into the quicksand of depression.

Not all problems are a result of God’s will, but are a result of our own actions.

For example: A woman I know was in a near-fatal car wreck.

Rejecting her husband’s advice, she angrily refused a doctor’s appointment. Then rather than legally turning right at the parking lot exit, she hurriedly turned left - illegally crossing a double yellow line - and was hit broadside.

If she had not been angry and had kept her appointment she would have turned right and would not have been hit.

The wreck was not God’s will but was a result of the woman’s decision. We must accept personal responsibility without getting confused and blaming God.

Another situation is when a young mother developed leukemia and died at age 28.

The reason for this is not easily understood for she did nothing to deserve the disease. This is where we must trust in God because trying to understand it can “drive us crazy.”

Gaining an understanding of life’s problems normally increases my peace of mind and my faith in God, but doesn’t necessarily reduce the hurt. Therefore, I accept what happens to me (without causing the problems myself) and I trust the Lord to teach me through each situation.

- Gene Linzey is a former pastor in New Mexico who has moved to Siloam Springs.

He can be contacted with questions or comments at masters.servant@cox.net.

Religion, Pages 10 on 10/21/2009

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