“Christ the Consolator” (detail) by Carl Bloch
“What should I say to my friend who lost her husband? He just died of a heart attack and she’s lost her faith in God.”
“Sorry to hear this,” I said, “maybe the funeral won’t be the time to consol her with words. Just being there will speak for you.”
“I understand, however, she will start complaining about God again and knows I’m still active in my Catholic faith. She often challenges me by saying she didn’t leave God, God left her.”
“What does she mean? Didn’t her husband just die? Sounds to me like her comment applies to the past?”
“It does, she was diagnosed with breast cancer years ago and lost her mother to brain cancer at the same time. She doesn’t understand how a loving God could let this happen.”
“That is a tough one. Well, maybe she’ll come around with you by her side. Hang in there, keep praying for her.”
* * * * *
This was a conversation I had with a lady in Church who approached me after a Bible study a few years ago. It seemed very common for people to blame God for personal tragedy but I didn’t really know how to respond. My 14 year old son was waiting for me while this lady talked and he listened to the encounter, possibly struck by her tears. But as we walked out of the Church, he turned to me and asked me something simple but profound.
“Dad, why do people blame God for bad things, but not credit God for good things? It doesn’t seem to make sense. This lady survived cancer but, instead of being happy she lost her faith.”
I was impressed with his clear thinking. Sometimes adults seem to confuse life principles and children see things clearly. Let’s think about this one.
If we take time to account for a lifetime of blessings, everything we’re thankful for and give credit and glory to our Lord, on balance, why do we quickly lose perspective when things don’t go our way? It reminds me of the footprints in the sand poem. When two tracks in the sand turn into one, we blame God for leaving us when in reality he was carrying us. Tragedy happens in life and our faith will be challenged, but isn’t that the beauty of having a God to lean on in times of trouble? Like Paul McCartney’s lyrics, “When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me, speaking words of wisdom, let it be.”
Let us pray for the strength to endure hard times to come, that His will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Pray for the gift of our faith freely given by the Lord. Pray that we can share with others the unconditional love given to us. Pray for His consolation and support to people like this lady who feel alone.
Let us pray…
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