Why me?

"As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth. 'Rabbi', his disciples asked him, 'why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents' sins?'

'It was not because of his sins or his parents' sins', Jesus answered.

'This happened so the power of God could be seen in him." [John 9.1-3]

Jesus' lesson teaches us that we must not make assumptions about why people suffer. Sometimes we may be able to identify cause-and-effect relationships between certain choices we make and their outcomes. But we can't blame specific hurts on specific sins. God does not work the way we do. In every kind of suffering, Jesus asks that we look not for scapegoats but for ways to help those who suffer and to learn from their suffering.

When you suffer from a disease, tragedy, or disability, try not to ask "Why did this happen to me?" or, "What did I do wrong?"

Instead, ask God to give you strength for the trial and a greater reliance on him.

# The One Year Through the Bible devotional #