Suffering

Bart Ehrman claims that he's given up on God because the Bible fails to answer our questions about suffering.

Many atheists concur that they can't possibly believe in a good God who allows evil things to happen.

Suffering. It's part of the human experience. Because we feel, we notice suffering. Rocks do not feel and are not bothered my waves that roll over them constantly or wind that beats them. But we are not rocks nor trees pummeled by nature's forces. We feel it when nature hits us with disease and pain.

I'm reading Don Piper's 90 Minutes in Heaven, and I agree with him in one chapter then disagree with him in another on the proper response of people to the injured.****WARNING: DO NOT READ FURTHER IF YOU DO NOT WANT A SPOILER*****

Don was in a severe car accident and died for 90 minutes. Upon his return to life he describes his rehabilitation in the months that followed.

The beginning of chapter 8 "Pain and Adjustments," begins with,

" Even though they didn't realize it, visitors made my situation worse. They cared for me and wanted to express that concern. Because they cared, they did the most natural thing in the world-they visited my hospital room. That was the problem."

He goes on in chapter 9 to talk about how these visitors would show up, and when they were leaving they would ask, "Is there anything I can do for you?" And his response was always, "No. Thanks."

A mentoring type retired minister would often visit with him. And one day he got fed up with Piper's refusal to allow others to do even small acts of kindness for him such as retrieve a magazine or buy a strawberry milkshake. So the minister gave Piper a strong rebuke telling him to, " 'You need to get your act together. You're just not doing a very good job.' " He goes on to state that the visitors love him and he was not showing appropriate appreciation to them.

I know how Piper felt when he responded with, " 'I don't want them to do anything... The truth is I don't even want them to be here. I'd just as soon they didn't come. They must have better things to do...' "

I disagree with the aged reverend when he said to Piper, "It's not your call."

When we were in France, both Lady R and I were sick more often and more severe than we ever had been our whole life in the States. I was on some strong medication that made me feel like every breath would be the one before I threw up everything I had eaten in the last 2 days. Lady R was rushed to the ER more than once for a still unknown cause of misery. All topped off with a miscarriage. In the last case, people were offended and hurt when we told them we really didn't need them and that we just wanted to be left alone for a while. Of course, they backed away (a good thing) but then treated us as loose canons (a bad thing). They really wanted to help. I believe that. And they, like the visitors to Piper's room, did what they thought they should; call, offer to come over and stay, "be there if we wanted to talk," etc etc. It was the wrong response. Plain and simple.

Service to others is not what I want to do for others, service is doing for others what they need me to do for them. Otherwise, their service is a hindrance. They will walk away hurt because they will feel rejected. Whereas, if they would serve according to my needs rather than their wants, we both could benefit. When we serve others it is not about making me feel good. It's about alleviating other's burdens not making it heavier. Of course, that's what those who love us WANT to do, but they miss the mark when they think of service in an universal one-size-fits- all means.