Pastor Rick Warren

After a very difficult week, Rick Warren is now at home and he hopes to have an easier day. Pastor Warren is expected to fully recover from injuries he suffered Monday when he was working in his yard. His publicist says that one of the preacher’s favorite ways to relax was gardening, but that time he accidentally wiped the milky white sap of a firestick plant into his eyes when he removed the gloves. His eyes immediately started to burn and his wife called 911.

Rick Warren was treated in Mission Viejo at Mission Hospital. In the first 24 hours the pain was very sharp because he suffered a chemical burn to the cornea, but the doctors expect a full recovery. The famous preacher will continue to experience some discomfort, but he was released Tuesday. “I am NOT blind”, Warren tweeted later for his friends and followers, which prayed for him.

Rick Warren is the founder of Saddleback Church in Orange County, a very big church, having nearly 20,000 members. He also wrote more Christian books, including the multi million selling book “Purpose Driven Life”. The 56-year-old evangelical preacher hosted Barack Obama and John McCain on August 16, 2008 to speak about spirituality at Civil Forum on The Presidency during their presidential campaign. Later Barack Obama chose Rick Warren to give the invocation at his inauguration.

Even if that firestick plant could not take his vision, it generated a lot of opinions and comments on different websites. There are some people who see a divine punishment in this incident. Without to comment on their opinions, we’ll quote some thoughts that may bring a light and some lessons for everybody.

“All the troubles and adversities are sifted through God’s permissive will. They can be a way of spiritual growth, or a reason for depression. I am praying for Pastor Rick to choose the first way.”

“Source of trouble is less important than our attitude. I know that many people will stay focused on the problem, but I know that my teacher will concentrate on the divine solution.”

The International Bible teacher tweeted a verse from Rom.8:28, that says, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose” (KJV). “May God use this pain for His Glory” added Rick Warren.

Firestick plant can be recognized by its intense red to orange pencil thick branches. Usually it has around of 2 feet and it may become very dangerous if it’s not handled with maximum precaution.

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