When tragedy strikes, I've heard people ask, "How could a loving God do that?" He is all powerful, but for reasons beyond our understanding, He allows horrible things to happen, and through the experience, "God is able to bless you abundantly". (2 Corinthians 9:8a NIV 2011)

In my own case, nearly five years ago, my husband Bob and I were celebrating our 50th year of marriage. We had driven from our home northeast of Toronto, Canada, south to Florida, USA. We thoroughly enjoyed the scenery, the history, and meeting up with old friends, a cousin, and a sister whom he had met only four years previously. After a full day aboard a cruise ship, we were on our way to our first port stop: San Juan, Puerto Rico. That's when it happened — an unexpected heart attack — and by 2 p.m., Bob had died! Talk about a shock!

I never once blamed God or felt that He had betrayed my love, but I did have a few brief "what if" thoughts. Each time, I countered with this Scripture that came to mind:

Job 14:5 – A person's days are determined; you have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed. (NIV 2011)

Firstly, what if we had gone straight to the emergency room on the cruise ship instead of going back to our cabin when he wasn't feeling well? Because Scripture tells us that our days are numbered, I believe that the end result would have been the same, but I wouldn't have had the opportunity to comfort Bob as I showed my love for him, wrapping blankets around him as he was so chilly, and mopping the streams of perspiration from his head.

Another thing that crossed my mind briefly was what if we had been on the mainland near a big hospital, but almost as fast as that thought crossed my mind, the reality hit that the end result would have been the same, and I would have been alone, saddled with a huge hospital bill.

Another example was what if our family doctor had realized that Bob's heart was weak? Again, God brought to my mind that the end result would have been the same, but we never would have enjoyed that wonderful trip south.

Paul admonishes us to "give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV 2011) Looking for the good is the best way to receive God's blessings. I thank Him that He has blessed me abundantly with His presence throughout the agony of that journey and ever since. I thank Him for the wonderful time that Bob and I did experience together, and I thank Him for His great love which sure does surpass all human understanding. That is my hope and prayer for you as well.

Prayer: Our precious heavenly Father, thank You for Who You are and how You give us strength and bless us, even in the midst of calamities. Thank You for the reassurance that after people accept Jesus' sacrifice for their sins, when they are absent from the body, they are present with You. In Jesus' precious name, we pray. Amen.

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About the author:

MaryLou Tompkins <bmltompkins@icloud.com>
Lindsay, Ontario, Canada
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