During the stipulated hour of QT..

I am convinced that there are far too many voices in the world today. I really need to hear the voice of God myself.

I browsed through one book last night and one this morning. Both presented opposing points of view on how God is viewed. On one hand, one author says that God only gives us good things and anything bad is from the devil. An example he mentioned is that natural disasters, war, etc. are from the devil. (and of course, the author supplements his point of view with sufficient evidence from the bible).

Another author whose book I read this morning thinks that disasters and calamities are from God and he also has a few verses in the bible supporting his point of view, that both good and bad things are from God.

Based on the former's point of view, he would say that God ALLOWS us to be in situations and circumstances to help us grow. Based on the latter's point of view, he would say that God PUTS us in bad situations to help us grow. He calls that the discipline of adversity.

Take for example the verses below:

The Goal of Adversity

Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Hebrews 12:10-11


Both would agree with these verses from the bible, but it's the perspective which differs. Who is right? Maybe both of them are. Who is wrong? Maybe both of them are. To me, I am more prone to think that God only gives us good things and he allows us to be in certain circumstances that we would grow. Even if I am wrong, does that really matter? Afterall, the end result is the same. That we grow!

All these really convince me that our walk with God is really personal. Finding the peace of God and allowing the wisdom of God to guide my heart in the decisions that I make is perhaps most important for me right now.
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