Do you thank God when something bad happens to somebody else instead of you?

Question

For instance a plane crash. "Thank God I wasn't on that flight".
Of course 150 other people died.

Or you drive home, see smoke, pull into your block and see it's your neighbors house burning to the ground. Do you say "Thank God it wasn't my house".

Doesn't that mean you wish and pray that the worse things to happen, if thay are to, to other people. Doesn't that make you selfish? Ashamed?

Answer 1

Most of the people who answer this No? will lie, your darn right you thank God, that it wasn't me or mine. It's okay we're human not saints. I think when you say" Better them than me " is wrong. But alot of us say Thank God to alot of disasters that we missed, or could have been in. I do not feel guilty. {God did'nt want me yet.} Thank God

Answer 2

I'm not religious, but I do use that phrase when I realize that something bad happened to someone else. I would rather have my neighbor's house burn down than mine any day. And I would rather have 150 other people that I don't know die in a plane crash than me. It is a little selfish.

Answer 3

Wow...good, thought-provoking question.

When I see something bad that has happened, I pray that God will bless those involved, and their families, etc...

But, yes, I guess I am thankful that I wasn't involved in the incident. Several times I have passed a wreck on the highway, and thought to myself...what if I would have been one minute earlier, that could have been me....and I am thankful that it wasn't.

Is that selfish? I don't know.

Answer 4

I don't think that people saying, thank God for protecting me, makes them selfish! They are just thanking God for sparing their lives. It's not selfish to be saved or for being happy that you didn't die. Besides this really depends on the person who said this, maybe they are happy that those people died instead of them but most people feel bad about it.

Answer 5

When I see things happen to others, I always say a prayer for them and their families. If there was a death, how blessed that person is to have been snatched out of this cruel world and be with him. I never pray for anything bad to happen to another. Ever.

Answer 6

No. I personally find the very notion of such a thought a little offensive.

I take a moment and reflect on the misfortune of those others... and of course I hope that such a thing does not happen to me or my loved ones.

People are very glib about the misfortunes of others. I do not wish to be that way myself.

Answer 7

Well I wouldn't say I thank God that something bad happened to someone else instead of me, no. I think it scares me though, how disaster can strike at any time. Fortunately I know that God is with me always, no matter what happens.

Answer 8

No, because that is very bad karma. I'd sooner say, "Thank God there were a few survivors" or, "I hope to God they can minimize that kind of tragedy in the future." Or . . . "Dear God, what can I do to help my neighbors in their time of need?" Stuff like that.

Answer 9

Seriously, is this how you think? Is your first instinct when you see a disaster honestly "gee, I'm glad it wasn't me"? And do you also think the entire world revolves around you? Talk about being self-centered...... I would think most people would have different instincts, such as thinking "oh those poor people" before sticking themselves in the scenario.

Answer 10

No. I don't say that. I wouldn't feel right
I thank God that they are OK if they survive
or that they will be ok. When trajedy and
misfortunes happens to others and myself.

John 17:3.