Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Pondering this today:

The Heidelberg Catechism

Lord's Day 10
27 Q What do you understand by the providence of God?
A. Providence is
the almighty and ever present power of God
by which he upholds as with his hand,
heaven and earth
and all creatures,
and so rules them that,
leaf and blade,
rain and drought,
fruitful and lean years,
food and drink,
health and sickness,
prosperity and poverty—
all things, in fact, come to us
not by chance
but from his fatherly hand.

Wondering: Can we say that mental illness could be considered a gift from God's hand? If it shapes you into the person you are? If it shifts the course of your life? If all things will work out for your good?

2 comments:

Marian said...

The providence of God is the almighty and ever-present power of God by which He upholds us with His hand.

He rules over everything which He created perfect before we (through Adam and Eve) let sin and Satan have control. God won back this sinful world from the grip of Satan when He sent Jesus to die for all sin and sickness. Now we under the headship of Jesus are walking into the promised land, taking back what belongs to us. He has given us victory over everything that damaged His perfect world.

Was there sin, sickness and poverty when God created heaven and earth and everything in it? No, these things are the work of the enemy. Why would Jesus go around healing sick people if God in His providence gave people those (gifts)?

God does by His providence comes into our sin and sickness and works everything for good. He can make tasty lemonade out of the most disgusting lemons.

Suzanne said...

I think you are right mom in your interpretation. I always had a problem with this Lord's Day. Thanks for sharing your wisdom.