We have had two major disasters in the past two weeks. Throughout our lives we will be continually witnessing disasters: death, health problems, financials crisis or just plain fear. Why does God allow bad things to happen and how should we respond to them?

I believe that whatever happens, God either allows it to happen for a reason or He causes it to happen. There are a number of times in Scripture that God allowed evil to happen to serve His purpose. Israel was continuously being punished for lack of obedience. The story of Job is one example as well as Joseph. Evil caused both to suffer tremendously. Yet God knew about it, allowed it to happen and later results were very positive. Romans 8:28 – “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Would you not imagine Job and Joseph going through their misery were wondering—why God? How could a young son who dies of an accident, “work for the good”? An illustration was used that a person early in life died and went to heaven. He was there just minutes. He looked around and saw the indescribable beauty. He was asked: “Would you rather stay here or go back to earth?” The answer was: “Stay”! Death does not have to be the end. To a believer it is the beginning. However, he returned to earth.

It is possible that God allows people to go through pain, suffering or problems to get us to respond and changes our ways. Scripture says that once we accept Christ as our Savior, God will make us more Christ-like. When a Christian goes through problems, suffering or pain, normally you immediately turn to God. Whatever it takes to drive us closer to a personal relationship with God is actually good for us. I wrote in “Miracle on the Hudson” that when a miracle takes place and a person realizes it, it can change the purpose and direction of their entire life as it did so many on that plane. I have read of service men in a life and death situation promise God that if He will save them, they will live for Him the rest of their lives. Go through serious medical problems and see if you do not become more concerned about life after death and eternity.

We will all have needs, whether they are physical, mental, spiritual or financial. God promises to meet those needs. Yet, we worry and wonder, why God? It seems there are many times God is not meeting our needs. I have prayed with a number of people who seemed to believe that everything looked hopeless. They had lost faith and were struggling with why God was not answering their prayers or reducing their problems. There is a reason for everything. If you ever find yourself in that situation read the following Scripture: Philippians 4:11b – 13 & 19 – “For I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength… And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”

II Corinthians 1:3 – 4 – “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”

When disasters happen we have Christ as an example as to what we should do. He would respond to others with compassion and kindness. He would provide love, comfort and mercy to those suffering during His time on earth. When we are involved in types of disasters or hardship, we too should show sympathy and comfort to those suffering.

Disasters are the only way some will ever seek Christ and salvation. When bad things happen we are to realize that we have a loving God but also He is a just God. To those who may have caused the disaster, as we have seen in Boston, we realize that the two perpetrators probably will end up in Hell. God provides negative consequences to those who do evil.

We also know that God allows disasters to send warnings. Have we as a nation been obedient to His ways? The answer is: we have been doing everything to eliminate God from our society. America may be in its greatest danger in our history. How much is God willing to put up with us until He withdraws His protection completely? Up to this time He as possibly limited the amount of damage that could be done. Maybe it was He who stopped the two before they could bomb New York as they had planned.

One thing we must learn from disasters is our life is an uncertainty. We could be one who is killed at a future gathering of a large crowd. How are we living? Are we prepared for life after death? Christians are told not to be fearful but be courageous. How can we be if we are not prepared spiritually? Isn’t it best then to be spiritually prepared?