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I was recently diagnosed with a fatal brain cancer. That does not qualify me to answer the question but it does test in the real world the usefulness of my response. The question itself implies there is is a supreme god or intelligence directing human affairs and events and thus there is an answer to the question. This is false. There is no purpose to our lives here, and therefore no meaning to the tragedies and good fortune that fall our way. "He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. (?Matthew? ?5?:?45? NIV)." "Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” (?Luke? ?13?:?4-5? NIV) Even Jesus implies we should stop trying to find meaning in everything that happens. This understanding eliminated all agonizing over my own misfortune. "It is what is is", "shit happens", move on. As I explained this to my wife she said this gave her some relief from trying to answer this question (which has no answer). However I found it important to remember the flip side to this bad luck. Some told me "this is unfair". Indeed life is unfair. I was born into the white majority of probably the greatest society in the history of mankind, with above average intelligence and work habits, in a time when my elders had fought for peace in my country and paid taxes so I could go to school for decades with little cost to me. I had a huge unfair advantage over many of my fellow peoples. Now I have this equally "unfair" event happen to me; so? It's not about me, or us, folks. Quit being so self-centered and trying to make everything about yourself. |
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