Originally posted by: fonzinator
I'll have a go at this...
Take the story of Job from the Bible. It's the best example I can think of and most, even people who aren't too familiar with the Bible, know about Job's story. The man lost everything, his family, all his posessions, he was afflicted with sores from head to toe. He wanted to die he was in so much pain (emotionally, physically, ect.). However, Job never cursed God but rather praised him instead. In fact, Job says in chapter 1 to his nagging wife: "Shall we accept the good from God and not the bad?" You are right though...too many people only praise/thank God for "good" things that happen. While tragedies are appropriate responded to by mourning and sadness, we should also praise God during these times. A most interesting piece of the Job story is that God gave Satan permission to do all of these things to Job. Satan would not have been able to do any of these things to Job without God's permission (God is soverign over everything, even Satan).
Ever watch South Park? I like Kyle's conclusion to the story of Job:
Sheila: Kyle, we wanna tell you about the book of Job. It's a story from the Bible.
Kyle: I've had enough of the Bible. What has it gotten me?
Gerald: Oh, I think you'll see differently after hearing this. Sit down, Kyle. Uh, okay. You see, Job lived in the east of Jordan a long long time ago. Job was a great man. He was blessed with ten lovely children, a wonderful wife, and many friends.
Sheila: He was godly, and a good man, and fed the poor.
Gerald: He was the most upright and honorable of men, and every day he praised God.
Sheila: But one day, Satan went up to heaven and talked to God.
Kyle: Satan talked to God?
Sheila: Yes, in the book of Job, Satan talks to God. And God says to Satan, "Have you seen Job? He is a great man, and he praises me every day."
Gerald: But Satan said, "Oh yeah? He only praises you because you gave him so much. If you didn't give him those things, he would curse your name."
Sheila: To which God said, "Oh yeah? I'll show you, Satan! I'll take those things away from Job and he will still praise my name."
Gerald: And so, God had a bunch of barbarians come in and slaughter Job's oxen and donkeys, and murder all his workers.
Sheila: Then God sent his fireballs from the sky and killed his sheep and the rest of his employees.
Gerald: And then, as Job's sons and daughters were eating, God sent a mighty wind to collapse the house and crush and kill them all.
Sheila: Job was terribly sad, but he fell to his knees and said, "The Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away," and praised God's name.
Gerald: So then, Job got painful sores all over his body.
Sheila: He was in terrible, miserable pain all day, every day. But he still kept his faith.
Gerald: God said to Satan, "See? I told you. Job still praises me." [all that is heard after that is the sound of the heart monitor attached to Kyle.]
Kyle: [a few seconds later] And that's it? That's the end?
Sheila: Basically.
Kyle: That's the most horrible story I've ever heard. Why would God do such a horrible thing to a good person just to prove a point to Satan?
Gerald: Oh. Uhhh, I don't know.
Kyle: Then I was right. Job has all his children killed, and Michael Bay gets to keep making movies. There isn't a God.
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