WHY??

It is a common human tendency to complain when we are faced with difficult circumstances.  When things go wrong we are prone to ask "Why?"  We want someone to give answers to the complicated issues of our lives.  We want to blame someone for the hurt and misery our problems have created.  Often it is God who is the recipient of our frustration. The mystery of misfortune leaves us with nothing but bitter confusion as to why God allows such pain. It is as though we believe God is the author of all our trouble.

Is it not strange that in adversity we are filled with questions, while we quietly accept our blessings?  Surely there is as much mystery to life's good fortune as there is to life's tribulation.  Yet, seldom do we ever hear someone puzzled about his or her well-being.  Is it because we take life's rewards for granted?  Do we subtly assume that we are entitled to reap the benefits of life's resources? Is God obligated to prosper us if we are good?  What about the prosperity of those who are not good? Actually are any of us worthy of the happiness and blessings which come our way?

Just as we cannot grasp the mystery of misfortune, we cannot solve the secret of good fortune.  Grace is so amazing and so divine.  Yet, it comes to us in physical as well as spiritual ways.  May the sheer surprise of life's blessings find us grateful and humble.  God forbid that we take pride in that which is not within our power to produce. "Every good gift cometh from above."  We do well to ponder that mystery also.