Some thoughts about bad circumstances
I figured out that we Christians treat bad circumstances in two different ways: When something bad happend to a Christian, we tend to pray for that person and say something like: God will test him/her or God will lead it to good. But when the same thing happend to a non-Christian, we don't pray for that person and say something like: That's how God will punish him/her or God judged instantly for something he/she had done wrong.
Have you encountered this as well?
I think we also should pray for a non-Christian when he/she is in bad circumstances. Although I catch myself often with the same thoughts.
Tell me your oppinion.
The right way is to not try to analyze why something bad happens but to sympathize pray for and love them, no matter whether they're fellow believers or heathen or our worst enemies. We have to learn to love like Jesus loved, then we're ready for heaven. But only he can impart such love to us, we have to want it and ask for it.
Bad things happen to people for many reasons. Most of it is to help us learn to have patience in every trial of life and trust in God no matter what happens. Like Job said. "Though He slay me yet will I trust in Him" And sometimes it takes a lot of bad happening to drive one to Christ. But we see coming a time when a real bad widespread disaster (something obviously a judgment from God on a sinful populace) will drive people to turn back to God, and yet do so in the wrong way. Do not make the mistake of thinking God will be pleased to have us force everyone to attend church. God cannot, will not, accept forced worship. Compulsion to religious observance comes from the wrong source and leads to disaster.
Bad things happen to people for many reasons. Most of it is to help us learn to have patience in every trial of life and trust in God no matter what happens. Like Job said. "Though He slay me yet will I trust in Him" ... But we see coming a time when a real bad widespread disaster (something obviously a judgment from God on a sinful populace)
A few flaws in your reasoning:
First, most of what happens to people individually is simple cause and effect. You make a choice, and that choice has natural consequences, good or bad. A wise pastor I have known many years tells his congregation that over and over again, when someone comes to him with a "how could God let this happen" story, the only reply he can give is "God is under no obligation to protect you from the consequences of your choices."
Secondly, any disaster can appear to be an "obvious" judgement of God on whatever sin the would be prophet wants it to be. An earthquake in San Francisco? An "obvious" judgement on homosexuality? The San Andreas fault has been active for millions of years; the spot where San Francisco now stands has had disastrous earthquakes since before there were people there to sin.
One thing I've learned is that the focus of prayer should be on God, not us.Our Father in heaven, may your name be honored,may your kingdom come,may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
We like to think our identity is separate from God. But we are a part of a bigger picture. The only difference between a Christian and a non-Christian (in respect to a conscious choice we've made) is that we have agreed that Jesus paid for our sins. On our own power we are not any better than a non-believer.
So whenever I pray for someone going through adversity I make the focus God. Let Your will be done in this circumstance. May you be glorified. Doesn't matter if they're believers or not. I make the focus the same.
I've also found it can be unhealthy to label a circumstance as "good" or "bad." Who are we to decide? If a woman's husband dies in a car accident, is that good or bad? We might say bad. But what if he was abusive towards the wife? Now is that good or bad? Circumstances are not so black and white.
So we must again, put our focus on God. Our main ask for God is for His Kingdom to come and His will to be done. Everything else should be thought of as relating personally to God. Being aware of how He made us and honest with where we are and how we need to change.
I'm not sure if this is what you are talking about, but, Matt.5:44 says -- But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
I'm not sure if this is what you are talking about, but, Matt.5:44 says -- But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Yes that's exactly what I meant. I was just curious if some others made the same experience in their community, church or relatives. I hear it often that some are saying: "That's god's judgement" if something bad happened to a person they don't like, but when a friend of them suffers, they say: "God is proofing them". That makes no sense to me. Even if I don't like someone Jesus said I have to pray for him and not laugh about him if he is in trouble. I know that is a very human reaction and I'm not free of it.
Jesus gave us "only" two commandements: Love God our father with all your heart, soul and spirit and love your neighbour as your self (even your enemies). This is not so easy to follow and I forsake all the time.
Good things happen to good people and bad things happen to good people. Bad things happen to bad people and good things happen to bad people. The big difference for Christians is we have a God who promises to never leave us or forsake us no matter when we go through good times or bad times. I know it can be easy to rationalize why something happened, but we just have to try and remember that we really don't know why some things happen. I agree we should always pray for others.
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