Friday Faith Check-up: Stop Playing the Blame Game!

"If you don't do your part then don't blame God."  - Billy Sunday

From politicians to heads of major corporations the "blame game" is the rule of the day. It's one thing when I see this behavior in my own grandchildren, at least I can try to correct it. But it's another thing when a middle-aged adult does it, and sees nothing wrong with it!

Blaming each other is something that we as humans have perfected as an art. Please don't get me wrong. I'd be the first to admit that I'm far from being the "poster-girl" of perfection. Believe me, I've certainly had my share of bad days, too.

However, it's one thing to blame another person for whatever, but it's entirely different when you place blame on God. Many blame Him during times of personal loss or tragedy, fear, loneliness, frustration, depression, and sickness, to name but a few.

"If God is real then why did He allow this to happen?" Though there are other variations of this question, the implication is similar in all. Blame God for the negative outcome. But is God really to blame? Remember, it's much easier to blame someone else for something than take responsibility or ownership of it.

Does this mean you can't defend yourself? Of course, not. If you are being falsely accused in a matter then you have every right to challenge the accuser. But, for the most part, we usually lash out at God as a reaction to an emotional crisis.

Imagine a goldfish in his little glass bowl trying to figure out what is going on outside of his bowl. He can see distorted, unclear images of things through the glass, but not enough for his tiny goldfish brain to comprehend what lies beyond the confines of his bowl.

That's where we are when it comes to understanding why God "does" or "doesn't" do. Like the goldfish, our limited human minds are just not able to comprehend God's reasons (Romans 11:33). We are not eternal, infinite, omniscient, omnipresent, or omnipotent, but God is (Revelation 21:6).

There will never be a time when we have acquired all the answers we seek. Nevertheless, we must learn to trust, obey, and love God and not blame Him for our troubles. He would never harm us, It's just not in Him to do so.

God allows both good and bad things to happen. He has his reasons whether you or I understand them, or not. That we live in a corrupt, wicked, immoral, vicious and sinful world is nothing new. Do we wish it were different? Who doesn't? Even so, God still loves us.

Therefore, instead of pointing the finger of blame at Him when something troublesome happens we instead should trust that He knows exactly what He is doing (Proverbs 3:4-5). And that He is ultimately in control of all.

Scripture: Proverbs 19:3; Romans 9:20; Galatians 6:5; Romans 14:12; 1 Corinthians 10:13

Prayer: Dear Lord, I may not understand your reasons for doing what You do, but I know without a doubt that I need You in my life always. Amen

Have a blessed and safe weekend!

Kaye