A Million Dollar Question:
Why do bad things happen to good people?

Many tragic stories raise a vexing question
which we rarely find answers: why does God
let misfortune wreck the lives of so many good
people? why does he let suffering bring tears to
the eyes of so many fine individuals? The reasons
indeed are mysterious and only fools can define
the reasons which the wise may not.

Jesus gives us a hint: Whoever loses his life for
my sake will find it. Whoever accepts suffering
and misfortune for His sake will find a whole new life,
a far richer and meaningful life. God can use tragedy
and misfortune to guide us into a newer and better lives.

Today, whatever situations we are in - financial difficulties,
family problems and personal tragedy - we pick up our
cross and follow Jesus. He can mend our broken dreams
and lead us into a renewed appreciation of life that we
never dream possible. We trust in His assurance: whoever
loses his life for my sake will find it. We may never
understand the mystery of misfortune in this life but
certainly we will in the later years of our lives.

An old Poem: "The Folded Page"

Up in the attic of an old house, as raindrops pattered
on the roof, I sat paging through my old schoolbook.

I came to a page that was folded down. Across it was
written in my childish hand: "The teacher says we
should leave this for now. It's hard to understand."

I unfolded the page and read it. Then I smiled and
nodded my head and said: "The teacher was right;
now I understand."

There are many pages in the book of life that are
hard to understand. All we can do is fold them down
and write: "The Master says to leave this for now.
It's hard to understand."

Then, someday, somehow, in heaven, we 'll unfold
the pages , reread them and say, "The Master was
right; now I understand." [Unknown]

Crosses can turn out to be blessings in disguise
if we then understand. It really takes awhile.

If we pick up the cross and follow in the footsteps
of Jesus, our cross can become a blessing and a
stepping stone to greater things. Our cross can
serve as an agent of life - fullness of life.

The consolation of Jesus can be summarized in this poem:

I asked for health, that I might do greater things;
I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.

I asked for riches, that I might be happy;
I was given poverty, that I might be wise.

I asked for power, that I might have the praise
of men; I was given weakness, that I might feel
the need of God.

I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life;
I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.

I got nothing I asked for, but everything I hoped
for. Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers
were answered. I am among all men most richly
blessed. [Unknown]