When bad things happened…

By Klaus Döring

… to a good person. A simple statement or answer could be: bad things happen for the same reason anything happens. “We could bear nearly any pain or disappointment if we thought there was a reason behind it, a purpose, to it.”  – a quotation by Rabbi Harold Kushner from his book ” When Bad Things Happen to Good People”.

In times of pandemic, wars and natural disasters many bad things happened – and yes, to good people too. It would make sense for “bad things” to happen to “bad people” wouldn’t it?  But a “good person” like me and you?

Dr. Ralph Lewis, U.S.  psychiatrist, stressed it as follows: “As a meaning-seeking species, we tend to process events in terms of what they mean to us: is it good or bad for us? And it is a human habit to infer deliberate intention to events in self-referential ways. “Why did this happen?” and “Why me?” are therefore natural and common questions asked by many people when faced with a sudden adverse event, such as a diagnosis of cancer. “What did I do to deserve this? Did I do something to cause it?” Many people are inclined to wonder if they are being punished by God for some past transgressions, or to ponder if there is some intended mysterious plan or higher reason for their misfortune, perhaps some intended lesson in their suffering.”

Back to Harold S. Kushner being a rabbi, with a spiritual perspective that’s both simple and enlightening. Still, it’s his personal experience of tragedy that makes him a comforting fellow traveler for anyone holding deep hurt. Rabbi Harold S. Kushner’s son, died of progeria at 14 years of age. Progeria is a very rare genetic disorder that quickly leads a child to age, leading to death by late childhood or early teens. Kushner’s experience as a rabbi, means that he has a deep understanding of theology; however, he was somewhat at a loss in the face of tragedy.

II always like to use the bible to help. Sure is, that nobody suffered more and nobody deserved it less. The Book of Job reads like a detective story in which the readers know far more than the central characters. It helps to think of this book as a courtroom drama, full of long, eloquent speeches.  Like all grieving persons, Job went through emotional crises. He whined, exploded, cajoled and collapsed in self-pity.

Sooner or later, we all find ourselves in a position somewhat like Job’s. Our world seems to crumble apart. Nothing makes sense any more. God seems distant and silent. At such moments of great crisis, each one of us ist put on trial. In a sense we become actors in a contest like the one Job went through.

Keep in mind, my dear readers: Nobody suffered more; nobody deserved it less.

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