I am a paramedic, and over the past 11 years of working in EMS (Emergency Medical Services), I have seen many gruesome and inhumane things.
I would like to hear any opinions on why such things happen. I am speaking about car wrecks, infants dying, people witnessing thier family members deaths, there are many examples I could list, but I think I'll stop there; you get the point.
I have been given opinions in the past, but would like to hear others.
Thank you for your time and may God bless each and every one of us,
I think it all comes down to free-will. If a man chooses to drink and drive, unfortunately his free will may impact the lives of others. My bad choices effect those around me.
And I have also known people who have suffered with cancer, and because of their witness during that trial someone in their family turned to God.
Could God stop all these things from happening? Yes, but if life were only good with no suffering or trials, we would not appreciate the good times without the contrasting bad. Our Christian character is developed as we learn to trust God during our trials and suffering.
While I do agree with what Lydia said, I think we often forget Satan rules this world. I do believe that God can and will intervene on our behalf, if we ask, and it is His will.
James tells us, we have not, for we ask not. Or we ask and have not for we ask amiss. Meaning we ask out of selfish desire. One of those desires is wanting our loved ones with us always.
Paul said that to be absent from the body, is to be present with the Lord. Sometimes we forget that the problems of this world are gone when we are with our Lord. We don't want to be without them, but they are so much better off where they are.
I know I got a little off subject, but the suffering we go through to get there is always worth the reward. Satan will always try to destroy our faith before we get there, and I believe that is one of the main reasons you see the suffering you witness.
I do believe in praying for protection, and I have seen it work. I pray this answers your question.
I must agree with Lydia and Leon. However, we all as Christian tend to forget that we are born to die. And as Lydia states suffering is apart of our living experiences as a witness to bring others to Christ. This is all God's will, purposes and plans in our living experiences and we cannot live on this earth without suffering because this earth is not our home, our destination as christians is heaven, and you can't very well get there without suffering.
As the old hymn says, If Jesus had to suffer, oh, what about you and me?... The will of God calls for us to suffer even when we do good as a testomony to others. Our sufferings bring us closer to God if we submit to the suffering as God's plan for us, as did Jesus. I think Peter makes this plain in I Peter chapter 3, there are rewards for those who suffer if we suffer, becasue Christ suffered for our sins for the just and the unjust(saints and sinners). We as christians must realize that the suffering that we go through in the flesh, can't even began to measure up to what Christ suffered, and we haven't suffered unto death for anyone outside of ourselves.
Must Jesus Bear The Cross Alone, And All The World Go Free(not suffere?)... No There Is A Cross For Eveyone, and There is A Cross For You And Me...
The devil uses those in disobedience(drunk drivers,etc) to cause pain on those who believe... but God uses this pain for His good, to bring us to Himself.
David prayed always for God's protection and these prayers can be read in the Psalms, and God did protect him, but there were times when God allowed David to suffer at the hands of his enemies, in order to teach David lessons in obedience and to bring him closer to Him. Psalm 91, is a great prayer for protection, and a promise from the Lord to give us that protection and deliverance... but we can't expect protection from God if we're in disobedience...:purpleangel:
In my humble opinion we are limited by the flesh when it comes to such situations. Most of us tend to understand life's circumstances from a fleshly view because that's all we've experienced with our eyes and ears during our crucial learning stages. If we lose a job, end a relationship, our car breaks down, a loved one goes in the hospital, etc,. our view is usually negative. Who taught us to view these things as such?
Imagine what our view of death would be if we were raised in a society that rejoiced the passing of a loved one because we knew they completed their purpose and were going to be with the Father. Praise God.
James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
...and many other verses that are all telling us the same thing - to not be deceived.
I agree with Lydia and Leon. They pretty much summed it up.
As long as there is sin in the world, there will be pain, people will get hurt by evil people and as a result of foolish mistakes. God can and does intervene on our behalf. I always pray for His protection on all my family and friend....including me of course. :)
May I ask for just a little more clarification? An example: During a car wreck, a 4 year old dies, pretty grewsomely. The reason for this is either, neither of the parents prayed for protection over the child, or if they did, it was in God's will for this to happen?
I, personally, didn't work this wreck, but some very close friends did, and of course, they had questions as to the reasoning. I have been on similar calls when, after the chaos is over, my co-workers discussed the reasoning, or lack of an obvious reason. God has blessed me with the ability to not ask why, just know something good will, or can, come of it. I try to take something good from those situations, even if it's just the fact that my co-workers and I get closer through the pain.
The ultimate reason for my questions is in an attempt to know more or better words to give to help ease our pain after terrible calls we have to go on.
Please keep all emergency workers in your prayers,
I will put you guys on my prayer list. All my family members are in the medical field even those in the military, and I have a niece who is an EMT in Colorado. May God keep all of you and you serivce our communities.
Also, know that God has never told us not to ask Him questions at what, why where, when who... can't find that anywahere in the Bible, not to question God. Otheriwse hwowill you find or get answers. Even Jesu questioned God, by asking a why question, Father hwy have thou forsaken me? So feel free toask God any question you ahve need of an answer. He'll answer you...
Please know that nothing just happens. Why things happen, all we know is that things happen for God glory, no matter how horrid. There is nothing that happens without His knowledge or that does not bring Him glory in some way or another. WE don't know why a child or infant is all messed up in car wreck or whatever. But we do know it happens. God knows about it and, had He wanted it to not happen, it wouldn't. Nevetheless, it is more comforting to know that children who die in young age, are all in the presence of the Lord as His ministering angels. The word tells us the death of some of God's saints, some become ministering spirits, and we know children are the apple of God eye. So be comforted in knowing that every child you've seen breathless, really is alive and well in heaven with the Lord as angels:angel:
I am learning to ask God for His guidence in my life more and more. My problem is, that I second guess what I'm feeling His answer is; I wonder if it's satan messing with my head or if it's God's answer.
For me, I recognize that the Lord won't bring confusion. Sure, some things, I may not understand and I really need to learn something, but I learned that dwelling on these to the point of bringing upon any form of distress will not be from the Lord. I'll release the topic, pray about it, go to His Word, and be still... wait on the Lord. Some things take time.. It's taken me years to understand some things. All in His gracious timing.. :)
I can only suggest trying what I do. Go to His Word, pray, request prayer from others, etc. For me, the only way I can confirm that it's from Him is if He speaks to me from His Word, from a Church service, and/or Bible study group. I usually pray for 3 confirmations and then wait on Him. If I don't do this, then I can be deceived, especially from the self, which will guide me in a direction because of my flesh's will. For me, I have recognized that I can direct an outcome w/ my own understanding/thinking. In these cases, I have found that it's inevitable that I will see something and say "That must be from the Lord", and it very well may not be. I'm merely looking so hard that I manifest it myself versus waiting on Him. I'm really careful on this now. Now I'm still and wait. I still see things from this world that answer me, but I say "Lord, this may not be from you. If you're showing me something, I will need a few confirmation from your Word." And ya know, there are times when I've received confirmations, and I asked again.. and again received confirmation, but asked again!.. because I wanted to be absolutely certain. Just as Moses did heh. I say "If this is from you, can you please show me via your Word?" Sometimes He verifies it, sometimes He doesn't. He always answers though (a lack of receiving an answer is an answer), but not in the timing I'd like. Sometimes it's within hours/days, and other times its in weeks, months, years.
I hope that helps sister.. God bless you and thank you for what you do. I pray that His peace comes over you on this topic. I have been confused on something, to the point of feeling like I'm going nuts. It's not healthy and the Lord doesn't want that for us. Peace be with you.
