How do these teachings help us understand Providence?
- The Lord’s providence looks toward our eternal happiness, having “in view what is eternal” (Arcana Coelestia 7007:4)
- The Lord wants us to be free to choose our path in life: “Every person from early childhood is led and taught by the Lord, but because a person’s freedom is never taken away, he can be led and taught only to the extent of his reception as though of himself “(Divine Providence 164:5).
- One reason that evil is permitted is so that we can recognize it and reject it. “Without permissions a person cannot be led by the Lord away from evil and so be reformed and saved. For if evils were not permitted to break out, a person would not see them and therefore would not acknowledge them, and so could not be brought to resist them” (see Divine Providence 251).
- When we are following the Lord, we may be challenged by people around us or by the evil spirits in hell. In spite of evil in the world, the Lord in His providence provides that good may come out of it. “When the Lord is with someone, He leads him and makes provision so that all that happens, whether sad or joyful, may bring him what is good” (see Arcana Coelestia 6303).
- Here is another teaching that can bring us peace in troubled times. “Peace holds within itself trust in the Lord, the trust that He governs all things and provides all things, and that He leads toward an end that is good. When a person believes these things, he is at peace” (see Arcana Coelestia 8455:1,2).
Learn more about how the Lord cares for us
- “God Does Permit Some Bad Things” by Donald Rose (teens and up)
When something is done that is not of God’s will, we should not think of it as beyond God’s control. It falls into categories of permission. - Divine Providence and Tragedy by Lawson M. Smith
The Lord respects our freedom because He loves us. He respects it so much that He allows us to get into trouble, and then as far as we are willing, He brings us new strength out of our troubles. - “Readings on Divine Providence” (ages 18 and up)
A compilation of excerpts from various sources including Divine Providence, an article by Frank S. Rose, and the dust jacket of Divine Providence translated by N. Bruce Rogers.
Projects and activities for all ages
- “Lo, I Am with You Always”
When our lives are busy, it can be easy to lose sight of the Lord. Make a small picture of the Lord to display somewhere at home to remind you that He is constantly caring for us. - Maze or Labyrinth?
What is the difference between a maze and a labyrinth? Make a maze to show what life is like when we lead ourselves and a labyrinth to reflect how the Lord leads us. - Prayers for Children: Help Us to Follow You
Two lovely prayers expressing trust in the Lord. - The Lord’s Will or Permission?
Brainstorm a list of events that happen in the world and identify whether each one is likely to be of the Lord's will or permission. - What Does the Lord Will? (teens)
A simple T chart for exploring events in your life, your family, or community that would seem to be the Lord's will or His permission.) - Food for Thought: Bringing Something Good Out of Evil
How does the Lord lead us toward what is good but leave us in freedom to make bad choices? - Protection of the Eye
We are told that the Lord guards the freedom in a person as a person guards the pupil of his eye (Divine Providence 97). - Write a Prayer Asking for the Lord’s Protection (teens and up)
Write a prayer that asks the Lord to protect you. For inspiration, see selected quotes about the Lord’s protection or look through the Psalms in the Word.
Conclusion
As we strive to reject what is evil and love what is good, the Lord bends things to good ends, leading us ever closer to the spiritual happiness of heaven. Sometimes evil appears to be victorious in the natural world. Yet the Lord assures us that our spirit is always under His protection.
“I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!” (Psalm 27:13-14)
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