From reading social media lately, one would think certain evangelical preachers presume to have a direct line to what our God is thinking about the natural disasters we are experiencing in the United States. They tell us our Creator is angry and is punishing the people of Houston and Florida with hurricanes. They know God is angry and vengeful for the gay lifestyle some have chosen to live. They tell us God is punishing cities and states for the sin going on within them.

1 Corinthians 2:16 says “Who can know the LORD’s thoughts? Who knows enough to teach him?” So how is it these preachers such as Franklin Graham, Jerry Falwell Jr, and Jim Baker seem to have such intimate connection to what God is thinking? Why is their God an entire moron to make millions of people suffer when not everyone leads a sinful lifestyle?

I wonder who this God is that they preach. We obviously know and worship different Creators. My God is a gracious and loving God. My God doesn’t lash out in anger and destroy the earth. The Lord I know is there to heal the brokenhearted and bring strength to those who suffer and grieve. The Creator I know is the one spoken of in today’s Psalm; “loving and forgiving, rich in kindness, full of compassion.”

Last winter when I endured several surgeries due to infections in my foot someone asked me if I blamed God for what I was going through. My response to them was “God doesn’t cause MRSA!” But I can tell you God’s arms were wrapped around me and gave me hope to get me through my horrible illness.

Folks God doesn’t cause bad things to happen to us to punish us for our sins. He isn’t at fault for natural disasters and sickness. We have to stop thinking that way. Our loving God is there to help us get through the worst of the worst in life. Don’t let anyone tell you anything different!