Sa paglalakad ni Jesus, nakita Niya ang isang lalaking ipinanganak na bulag. Tinanong siya ng kanyang mga alagad, “Guro, sino po ang nagkasala at ipinanganak na bulag ang lalaking ito, siya ba o ang kanyang mga magulang?” Sumagot si Jesus, ipinanganak siyang bulag, hindi dahil sa nagkasala siya, o ang kanyang mga magulang, kundi upang mahayag ang kapangyarihan ng Diyos sa pamamagitan niya.”

 Juan 9:1–3

Katulad ka rin ba ng mga alagad ni Jesus noon, na masyadong judgemental? Lahat na lang ay hinuhusgahan mo. Ayaw ni Lord ‘yan, sapagkat ang kapansanan ng tao ay magagamit para sa kaluwalhatian ng Diyos. When He healed the blind man, He turned into blessings what many considered a curse. He also belied the perception that suffering is a punishment from God. The Bible tells us that the penalty of sin is spiritual death and separation from God (Romans 6:23).

When COVID-19 hit worldwide, some of us thought it was God’s punishment for the sins of the people. But we knew it was the result of man’s work. Like in Genesis 50:20, God used our pain and suffering during COVID-19 for our good and for His purpose. The lockdown gave people the opportunity to spend time with God and to depend on Him as their source of hope, their provider, and healer.

Katulad ng maraming pamilya sa America, naging abala sa trabaho ang mag-anak ni Meng at nawalan ng panahon sa Diyos. Nang magka-COVID at nabingit sa kamatayan, napagtanto niyang higit na mahalaga ang relasyon sa Panginoon kaysa pera. Nanumbalik siya kay Lord at nang gumaling ay naging masigasig sa pagbabahagi ng ebanghelyo ng Diyos. 

Si Nilo ay dumaan sa matinding hirap bago nagtagumpay sa France. Knowing how to be in need, Nilo had compassion for his fellow Filipinos who lost their incomes during the lockdown. He distributed food items that saved his fellowmen from starvation. He took that opportunity to lead them to Christ.

We have a loving God who will never cause our affliction or punish our sin with sickness. He already dealt with the penalty of our sin through the blood of His Son Jesus.