Instagram

•

Please be mindful of how we say “God protected us in the storm.”

It implies a harmful theology that God does *not* care about people who were injured or killed, or in fact sent a hurricane after them. It’s good to be thankful, but our theology matters and it can be especially cruel to say in the presence of injured & vulnerable people.

I’m thankful that my family and I are safe—and God be with us in our hurt and through this long recovery. God move me to my neighbor. 🌀🙏

#hurricanemilton #tampa #florida #faith

kiki.hay

👏👏👏

sammyrummy_

I’ve heard this from so many folks in the evangelical Christian community. Always felt icky.. like why are we more valuable than the ppl that suffered worse than us..

kennas.tirith

I once heard a man preach that if you complain you are in a storm, you do not trust the sleeping Jesus… with a woman with terminal cancer sitting in the front row. I was so mad.

mommysong4

Who gets the credit then? Maybe we need to rephrase how we give glory to God in these tragic situations, but we shouldn’t stop thanking him publicly.

ultramarine_mcqueen

@whenthedaymetnight I think Joon has shared his thoughts on the best approach already, by writing this post. “I am grateful” and “God, move me to my neighbour.” I feel like you are mad that someone is questioning language that you love (‘protected’ ’blessed’) rather than questioning your theology. Unless you really do believe that Jesus sent the hurricane to cause destruction and pain to creation, yet chose some lucky humans to remain relatively unscathed in the midst of it? I’m not being sarcastic or trying to fight, or to speak on Joon’s behalf. I’m saying I think it’s worthwhile, and not contrary to Scripture, to follow the logic of our beliefs all the way to the end, and examine them in humility, alone and quiet, before God. I don’t think any of us will ever get it all correct, honestly. But gratitude and generous actions to help others are surely a step in the right direction?

langston.universe

Yes absolutely. Also so glad you are safe!!

doyouknowmenomi

Respectfully, this phrase is only “harmful” without the proper theological context. God is God and does what he wills (Psalm 115:3) and He is sovereign over all. The evil that befalls humanity is the consequence of our sinful, fallen world and not because God is two-faced. Just because we don’t like something doesn’t cancel out Truth according to Scripture or negates God’s holy nature. He is good and righteous regardless of life’s circumstances. All things work according to His purposes for our good and His utmost glory. I know there will be many who see my comment and scoff, but it’s okay. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. However, God’s ways are far above our own as mere finite mortals. Everything we go through is to point us to know, trust, and worship Him over, above, and through the hardships of life. So, yes, God protected us because without him no one on this post would be here to slam the Almighty for not doing what they wanted Him to do. ❤️

mgspearwriting

I always pray for God's will to prevail, and try to be happy with whatever I am given. There is no guarantee of happiness but to be grateful for what we are given and appreciate what we have and what we can do with it. Reframing helps.

leethomas27

Amen!

seastarr_wade

Thank you for saying this! I heard someone saying this on the radio and was so frustrated at the implication that God is picking and choosing who and what to protect. I think people intend to be optimistic and express gratitude with these statements, but they really can come across as insensitive to those who didn’t fare so well.

4,335 likes

October 10