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In your opinion, why do bad things happen to good people? I believe that that there is an evil force named satan/lucifer which has the goal to bring about evil in the world and to frustrate God's plan for good for our universe. I believe that the force named satan/lucifer and his followers have influence to bring about bad situations in order to trouble good people. The story of Genesis highlighted in symbol the evil force entering the dynamic between humanity and God. Satan succeeded in turning the heart and mind of humanity away from total acceptance and worship of God (Genesis 3;1-24). - How do you resolve the ancient dilemma of how a loving and just God can allow tragic things to happen? I accept Jesus Christ's explanation that there is a negative/evil influence in the world which He named lucifer ((Luke 10:18); and that lucifer/satan has influence to cause tragic things to happen. I believe that God has worked to frustrate this influence by His plan to incarnate as Jesus Christ in the human world, and to bring about a reentry visa so to speak for humanity to enter heaven after our time here on earth. I believe that God allows tragic things to happen in the short term, but will bring about His Plan for our happiness and good in the long term, i.e. in eternity and the state called heaven. I cannot give a full answer to the ancient dilemma, as to me there is much that is mystery about God. However, my life of prayer and faith helps me to see that there is much I do not know, but I can rest assured in the faith that God does know, and so all is well. In my own personal life experience, I was injured in a car accident years ago, and since that time have lived with the resultant fibromyalgia and pain/difficulties this causes. At the time this was a tragic event to me, and I suffered much physically and emotionally. Now, years later, I realize that dealing with the difficulties and pain of fibromyalgia gave me much time to reflect and commune with God, to depend totally on Him, and ultimately led me to ordination and ministry as priest. What was at the time a tragic thing for me is an event that brought about the most wonderful thing that could have happened to me.
- Describe the way you see karma working in your life. I believe karma to be the law of cause and effect leading to balance. So I believe karma is God at work in my life. If I do good, ultimately all situations will turn out for the good through the grace of God actively at work in my life.
- Do you believe that karma is one hundred percent responsible for your current circumstances or are there other important factors involved? If so, what are they? I believe God's Plan at work in my life is the important factor at all times. My current circumstances I believe to be the end result of God walking with me on my life's path as I seek to find the answers to life's challenges. Karma - the law of cause and effect leading to balance - has certainly been at work in my life. I believe karma is influenced by other people and their decisions. If someone makes the decision to do something hurtful, the end result will cause difficulty and negativity for others. If someone makes the decision to do something helpful towards others, the end result others' lives will be helpful and positive. I do not have control over the cause of situations caused by others. Nor do I have control on the effect of situations. However, I do have control over how I respond to the situations. I believe that reaching out to God to ask for answers as to the best way of dealing with these issues will lead towards balance and harmony with the universe as God inspires through His Word in the Gospels and His example during His incarnation as Jesus Christ here on earth.
Catherine Whittle |
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