Where’s God in all of this?
One day I found myself being asked by a ten- year- old who wanted to know how a loving God allowed so many natural disasters to take place? If there was a God above, why was he creating problems for humankind? The problem of pain, the problem of suffering, the problem of personal loss, the problem of death.
Suffering takes place everywhere. Sometimes in the form of natural disasters like the torrential rains causing floods and destruction. Other times it is caused by terror brought about by humans such as terrorist attacks. Sometimes suffering is fuelled by medical and economic conditions like poverty or epidemics. Some of us face problems such as a loss of a job, the end of a relationship, unexpected death or the loss of some dear ones.
We have faced at least one of this in our lives at one time or the other. And it is at such times that most of us end up questioning ourselves. Where is God in all of this? And this was the question that got me thinking. We come up with our own suggestions, ideas and thoughts to find an answer and this confuses us even more.
Sometimes we may hear people say that someone is suffering because they have done something wrong and God is giving them a wake –up call. At other times we hear people getting all judgemental and trying to point out the faults of others and saying how karma has got its revenge. How easy it is to dump everything on God and blame it on him for all the bad things that happen around us. The sins we have committed also make us feel that maybe we are being punished for our actions by God. We are human after all and we can never understand God’s purpose.
After having spoken to a few spiritual mentors this was the answer that kind of comforted me. What does God ask of us? What do we do when we see pain, suffering, and sorrow around us? Do we turn a blind eye or do we get out of our comfort zones and help the ones in trouble. Many times I have witnessed so many amongst us who are silently suffering with their own struggles and pains and they are the ones going around spreading joy, comfort and happiness among the people around them. They always have a kind word to say, a helping hand and a forgiving heart.
God has given us each other- to stand, support and comfort one another in times of strife and struggle. Yes. It is difficult to face troubling times. Yes, it is difficult to wait for God’s will to occur in our lives. But the famous poem by John Milton “On his Blindness” deals with this concept of Milton losing his eyesight and questioning God’s purpose in his life. It is in the last two lines that he finally realises that “they also serve who only stand and wait”. Patience and unconditional faith in God is what he expects of us.
Many times in my conversation with people who question the existence of God, I am often been given the answer that there is no God. So I ask them out of curiosity as to whom do they turn to in their times of trouble. And the answer is “I believe in myself”. And I wonder. What happens when the “ I” that is standing alone crashes. That’s when addictions of all kinds take over, suicides happen, hopes crash and bitterness takes over. Even if we do depend on others for emotional support there are limitations to this. I am just a simple layperson and I have no right to judge anyone based on their personal beliefs. It is with immense humility that I am penning my thoughts into words, my way of trying to understand the concept of suffering. These are just my musings and thoughts and it is my request that all this be taken, not just with a pinch of salt, but maybe a sackful of salt.
There are guardian angels all around. Be it the person forwarding messages giving info about relief centres around our place. Whatsapp forwards that are helpful and relevant (I know there are fake rumours moving around, but for once let’s look into the positive things social media has provided us). Young people in our Institutions going around helping the victims and their family members. Blood Donation camps. Silent givers of charity. The list is endless.
I personally see God through acts of kindness all around me and that keeps me going even in the darkest of times. Family members, “real” friends, well-wishers, loved ones, church mates, even complete strangers have been a source of strength, motivation, love and support.
The problem with most of us is that we forget acts of kindness too soon. Even if we can’t help others physically or economically, we can always be an emotional support. WE can always PRAY for the welfare of others. I read somewhere that what our world needs today more than anything is prayer and Love and that should suffice.
But what about those seasons when life circumstances have worn us down — when we don’t feel like we have anything to give? What about when our spirits (or bank accounts) are low, How do we manage? God loves a cheerful giver, but the truth is he’ll take our begrudging efforts to help, too. Beyond the perspective we gain from recognizing someone else’s need or suffering, the act of helping to bear another’s burdens is a balm for our own soul, too.
Drugs, alcohol, social media, meaningless relationships may provide temporary relief, but what can really help us in our times of trouble is an immense faith in God- a power so strong that our foundation is not easily shaken. The emotions of gratitude, happiness, and shared humanity that we experience in the midst of “doing good to others” reminds us that we are all children of God and that we are called together to serve God’s purpose on this earth.
Engaging in attempts that assist others often delivers more in exchange than we offer; volunteering, donating, or other forms of giving just feels good. If you’ve had this natural high, you know: it’s addictive to lift others up and help someone out. So for me personally where is God in all of this! God is right here working in his miraculous ways through you and me and every small deed we do. And though it may be very difficult let us never grow weary of doing good for we shall be blessed in a thousand different ways.
When you find yourself in a challenging season that may be the time when you most need to give. Spending time with a community or person in need as an act of service helps shift our focus from “Ayyoo! Why does this happen to me?” to “Wow! Look at me! I made a difference in someone’s life today!”
RACHITHA POORNIMA CABRAL
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH
SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK, ROSHNI NILAYA
An article that touches the truth of meaning and purpose in life. Thank you Ms. Rachita.
If you thought there is an old man with a white beard, a RayBan, lording over us in a sky-mobile then you are bound to get into the kind of spineless inquiry which is espoused in this article. When you egotistically look at existence to be human-oriented (which is what the mainstream religions of the world today fool the general public with) these kinds of conclusions are but natural.
Is there a law in nature that it should not rain beyond a certain level? Why should we bring “god” into it just because the way we have built our infrastructure around us which is not able to cope beyond a certain amount of water? Why do you think your “god” should interfere in all of this when man has created the world around him with lack of foresight into the unforeseen possibilities? Isn’t it the job of the urban planners, engineers and architects to account for all these things when they make a place civilised?
Animals are also equal creation of nature as much as man is. Did animals lament as much on this “flood situation” as the human beings are doing at the moment? If we reduce the level of importance we assign to ourselves, perhaps it will help us gain a better perceptive into all of this. May be we should stop blindly believing what people in funny clothes preaching from the pedestal tell us every Snday, instead should give it a chance for ourselves to see if there is more to it than what those “revered” books say. May be those books have something meaningful to say here and there but are we not wrongly contextualising them to suit our own preconceived notions. May be we believe too much on what others have to say.
I welcome your thoughts.