Does God Intervene In Our Lives? All Good from Him? All Evil from us?

[nickybr38]

Someone asked me the following question and I wasn’t sure how to answer.

I did a quick search of the topics on the first page currently (of this forum) and didn’t see anything that was quite like this question.

I apologize if this isn’t the right forum, btw, I wasn’t quite sure where it should go.

Scenario 1: A family of four is killed in a terrible traffic accident.

Scenario 2: A family of four is involved in a terrible traffic accident, only one member of the family survives.

In Scenario 1 we immediately say it was JUST an accident. This has nothing to do with God.

In Scenario 2 we say: It’s a miracle! God saved the one who survived.

Now the question is; Does God intervene in our day to day lives? OR was the one member surviving in Scenario 2 just as much a reaction of free will (perhaps the one who survived was the only one who buckled up?) as the first Scenario.

How can we say everything that we like is from God and then reject anything we don’t like as having nothing to do with Him?

I’m not sure if I’m wording this correctly but I’m trusting someone will get my point



I wanted to tell her my view of things but I knew I couldn’t. Because I know my view is flawed. Basically I feel as if God doesn’t intervene in our day to day lives… if free will is true and if we are given choices then bad or good the result of those choices are of our own doing. God gave us a road map (the Bible, the Church) to help us make the RIGHT choices, but in the end we’re the ones who make them.

I DO think He DOES come in and ‘tweak’ things now and then, but only when we ask Him to be a part of our lives, and only when we surrender ourselves to Him (and sometimes even when we don’t! As in the case of Saul/Paul). But I think those cases are rare (Him intervening).

 

[Barbkw]

Our priest talked about this with us during our Compendium course on the Catechism.

He said he’s officiated at multiple numbers of funerals over his 25 years and that there is no one way to speak about death that will satisfy every person’s needs (parents who suddenly lose their baby, families who lose their parents in car accidents, children who lose their mother from cancer, etc. ).

An important milestone in life is coming to terms with dying and death and to acknowledge that God made people; both body and soul.

It’s so very painful to lose people, to not have them with us. Their bodies, their minds, their emotions, their relationship to us, their voices comfort us and we experience their absence in very deep ways.

Yet, we all have eternal souls. And at death, our personalized souls will return to God, the holy Being who made the universe, earth and us. Our souls will experience the Trinity.

I don’t know how much to trust the after death experience stories, but I’m encouraged that those people who experience clinical death return with converted hearts and a longing to return to that experience which they believe is full contact with God.

Over and over in Scripture, Jesus asks us to be comforted and to “fear not”. Jesus himself experienced a horrible death, as did most of the Apostles and multiple martyrs.

Death can be the ultimate physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual experience of faith and hope in the love of God.

 

[nickybr38]

That’s basically what our priest said as well, but it doesn’t really address the question of does God bring ALL the good that happens in our lives? From finding that $20 we lost, to winning the lottery, to being saved from sure death. Are these from God? Or are they just the result of our free will?

Is He intervening in our day to day activities?

 

[ConstantineTG]

Evil isn’t something thats the opposite of good or the opposite of God. But the lack of God and His goodness. So even doesn’t really come from someone or something, but instead comes from a lack of being one with God.

In your scenario, death and accidents are common occurence in a fallen world. Did God intervene? Perhaps. Maybe the one person who survived has unconfessed sins and God is giving that person the chance to reform. Those who died maybe are in communion with Him and are on their way to be with Him in heaven. We see it as a tragic event from our perspective but God sees things differently. Physical death is not the end for Him, it is not necessarily evil for Him. We have to die to be resurrected and perfected.

 

[tonyrey]

Is He intervening in our day to day activities?

Of course God does intervene. How could a loving Father remain aloof and unconcerned about our needs? It is usually impossible for us to know to what extent events are due to chance or to His intervention but there have been many answers to prayer that cannot be explained as coincidences. What we do know is that apparent misfortunes are often blessings in disguise and apparent strokes of good fortune often turn out to be sources of misery (as lottery winners have discovered to their “cost”).

 

[nickybr38]

Of course God does intervene. How could a loving Father remain aloof and unconcerned about our needs? It is usually impossible for us to know to what extent events are due to chance or to His intervention but there have been many answers to prayer that cannot be explained as coincidences. What we do know is that apparent misfortunes are often blessings in disguise and apparent strokes of good fortune often turn out to be sources of misery (as lottery winners have discovered to their “cost”).

That’s kind of exactly what I believe. I like the way you word it a bit better though.

 

[tonyrey]

Of course God does intervene. How could a loving Father remain aloof and unconcerned about our needs? It is usually impossible for us to know to what extent events are due to chance or to His intervention but there have been many answers to prayer that cannot be explained as coincidences. What we do know is that apparent misfortunes are often blessings in disguise and apparent strokes of good fortune often turn out to be sources of misery (as lottery winners have discovered to their “cost”).

Thank you, Nicki! I have the advantage of having specialised in, and written about, the subject for many years.

 

[Windfish]

Good question. There is two dimension to this question, I think:

-The problem of evil. Why do bad things happen at all?

-Why do we only give credit to God for the good? For every good thing in our lives, there is a child dying of starvation somewhere in the world.

Serious questions, and I don’t have an answer for them, yet.

 

[nickybr38]

But you know what… thinking about God intervening does bother me a bit sometimes. It makes me question free will. If He has His hand constantly in our lives… are we truly making our own decisions or are we being constantly guided?

Now, don’t get me wrong! I have NO problem with Him taking the reins… but I’ve already surrendered myself to God. But does He intervene with those who have not yet ASKED for His guidance? Doesn’t that negate free will in a way?

 

[PAboy57]

Of course God does intervene. How could a loving Father remain aloof and unconcerned about our needs? It is usually impossible for us to know to what extent events are due to chance or to His intervention but there have been many answers to prayer that cannot be explained as coincidences. What we do know is that apparent misfortunes are often blessings in disguise and apparent strokes of good fortune often turn out to be sources of misery (as lottery winners have discovered to their “cost”).

Nicely said Tonyrey.

We need God’s grace daily. We receive grace by not separating ourselves from the Lord. Leading lives in harmony with Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition and Church teaching keeps our souls healthy. The Sacraments and prayer provide us the strength to endure hardship and trials. Without God we can do nothing. Nothing happens without His approval.

One’s death may be their release to Heaven no matter how bad it was or sounded. The opposite is also true. Remember our Heavenly Father knows the number of hairs on our head so how could He not be active in our daily lives?

 

[tonyrey]

Good question. There is two dimension to this question, I think:

-The problem of evil. Why do bad things happen at all?

-Why do we only give credit to God for the good? For every good thing in our lives, there is a child dying of starvation somewhere in the world.

Serious questions, and I don’t have an answer for them, yet.

The solution is to be found in choice and chance, i.e. human decisions and natural mishaps…

 

[tonyrey]

But you know what… thinking about God intervening does bother me a bit sometimes. It makes me question free will. If He has His hand constantly in our lives… are we truly making our own decisions or are we being constantly guided?

They are not mutually exclusive, Nicky. We can always choose to go our own way - and often there is more than one way of reaching our destination!

Now, don’t get me wrong! I have NO problem with Him taking the reins… but I’ve already surrendered myself to God. But does He intervene with those who have not yet ASKED for His guidance?

I’m sure He does because to leave anyone completely in the dark is not an expression of His love.

Doesn’t that negate free will in a way?

I don’t see why. Guidance need not be insistence!

 

[hazcompat]

All things are ordered to the good (salvation) of those who love Him. Pray without ceasing.

peace

 

[nickybr38]

They are not mutually exclusive, Nicky. We can always choose to go our own way - and often there is more than one way of reaching our destination!

I’m sure He does because to leave anyone completely in the dark is not an expression of His love.
I don’t see why. Guidance need not be insistence!

Thank you. You have a great way of explaining these things.

 

[4Horsemen]

I once heard it said, “God intervenes in the affairs of men by invitation only.” IOW, those who reject God and don’t want Him to be a part of their lives close themselves off from their very lifelines. But God as our Creator and Father never lets them out of His sight, but waits patiently for their return. He respects their free will having given it to His creatures as a wondrous gift.

Whether good things happen or bad, God is there with us and allows what is necessary or beneficial for our salvation. For those who reject Him, Our Father continues to call them until the very last second of their lives. We do have a tendency to describe God’s works as good or miraculous when something positive happens, but we prefer to leave God out of it when evil things happen. Yet, either way, God is working His will to bring to perfection all of His creation.

A revealing meditative book on this subject is titled, Trustful Surrender to Divine Providence–The Secret of Peace and Happiness by Father Jean Baptiste Saint Jure, S.J. and a companion treatise published in the same volume by Saint Claude de la Colombiere, S.J. Here is a quote:

“Nothing happens in the universe without God willing and allowing it. This statement must be taken absolutely of everything with the exception of sin. ‘Nothing occurs by chance in the whole course of our lives’ is the unanimous teaching of the Fathers and Doctors of the Church, ‘and God intervenes everywhere.’”

 

[tonyrey]

Thank you. You have a great way of explaining these things.

Thank you for your kind words - a refreshing contrast to the abuse by those who attack religion! Two years on this forum have sharpened my philosophical scalpel considerably…

 

[PAboy57]

Sirach, Chapter 15

11 Do not say, “It was God who made me sin.” God does not cause what he hates.
12 Do not say, “He made me do wrong,” for he has nothing to do with a sinner.
13 The Lord hates all evil and those who fear him hate it as well.
14 When he created man in the beginning, he left him free to make his own decisions.
15 If you wish, you can keep the commandments and it is in your power to remain faithful.
16 He has set fire and water before you; you stretch out your hand to whichever you prefer.
17 Life and death are set before man: whichever a man prefers will be given him.
18 How magnificent is the wisdom of the Lord! He is powerful and all-seeing.
19 His eyes are on those who fear him. He knows all the works of man.
20 He has commanded no one to be godless and has given no one permission to sin.

15 - 20 was a reading in Mass today.