Читать книгу Above and Beyond - J.S. Dorian - Страница 20

“Things are where things are, and, as fate has willed, So shall they be fulfilled.”

AESCHYLUS

When close friends find out about our illness, they often react by saying, “You’re such a good person. It’s so unfair that this is happening to you!” Our friends and loved ones are insisting, in other words, that it’s not right for bad things to happen to good people, and we couldn’t agree more.

Such feelings are understandable. If we dwell on them, however, that can make it more difficult for us to accept our illness. If we believe that “good” people shouldn’t get sick and die, aren’t we implying that it’s okay for “bad” people to be afflicted? Aren’t we saying, moreover, that illness and death are not natural parts of life but, rather, are eventualities that should befall only those who “deserve” them? And doesn’t our “bad things shouldn’t happen to good people” philosophy indicate that we see illness and death as punishment?

Unfortunately, we are indeed ill and frequently in pain. Since it is far easier to accept these realities by approaching them as natural parts of life, this might be a good time to examine and perhaps try to change our deep-felt beliefs, attitudes, and feelings on the subject.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

In God’s hands, in God’s time.