Angels for Better or Worse

Let’s approach your question from another perspective. If we believe that God is with us, and the Holy Spirit is active in helping, encouraging, and leading us, do we blame God when we mess up? No, we generally accept responsibility for our actions, and try to be more open to God’s help and willing to do what is right.  It's similar with angels.  They don't prevent things from happening to us, but they lead us to loving responses. 

God’s angels often minister to us in less obvious ways.  It is helpful to remember that when Jesus was in agony in the Garden of Gethsemane before his crucifixion, the Bible records that an angel came and ministered to him (Luke 22:43). The angel did not keep Jesus from the pain and agony of the cross, but he did strengthen Jesus so that he would be able to face all that was before him.

When you are going through difficult times that you cannot understand, don’t wonder if you have a second-rate angel. It’s true we find them in the movies. (Remember Jimmy Stewart’s bumbling guardian angel, Clarence, in the film It’s a Wonderful Life?)

Continued on page 2: Why does God need angels? »