“‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned,’ said Jesus, ‘but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.’” John 9:3 (NIV)
Why do people seek blame when things go wrong? When my son Stephen died, my broken heart sought to blame the doctors, myself, and even God. I wondered why God allowed it to happen and if He was punishing me for my sin.
The Bible clearly states there are consequences for sin. But God sent Jesus to take the penalty for our sins (Romans 6:23). There are also natural consequences for sin. Plus, we live in a fallen world where bad things happen. And sometimes, God allows us to walk through struggles because He has a bigger plan than we can understand (Isaiah 55:8 and Proverbs 19:21).
But not understanding doesn’t mean someone is to blame. Jesus demonstrated this when He healed a blind man. “His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind? ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned,’ said Jesus, ‘but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him’‘”(John 9:1-3, NIV). In this verse, God’s works mean more than healing. He is displaying His perfect plans and designs.
Looking back, I can see God’s perfect designs. I know my son is no longer sick or in pain. His suffering ended the second Jesus took him from my arms into His. Additionally, in the months following his death, both my sister and I found our way back into a closer relationship with Jesus. And our entire family found salvation in the following years.
I am not saying that God caused my son to die. But I see how He used the most painful thing I’ve endured to bring about His good purposes. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28, NIV).
I will never understand why God chose to do things as He did. However, I learned that only pain and isolation come from blaming God and oneself. When I sought God, He comforted me. So, from now on, I choose to seek God rather than seek blame. I choose to trust that God knows more than I can see or understand.
So, friend, when our heart is broken and seeking blame, we can choose to blame others, ourselves, or God. Or, we can remember that Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble” (John 16:33) and trust that God loves us and has good plans for us. We can choose to seek God rather than seek blame. He is “the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4, NIV).
Dear Heavenly Father, Please forgive my tendency to blame instead of seeking comfort and intimacy with You. Help me remember that Your ways are always perfect and better than I can understand or imagine. Help me trust that You are the great Artist creating a masterpiece, even when I can only see the tip of the paintbrush. I love you and praise you. In Jesus ‘ Name, Amen
For Further Study
Bible verses about seeking God
