Have you ever wondered why bad things happen to good people? If Christ said, "I have come that you might have life, and have it more abundantly", then why to Christians seem to suffer the same difficulties in this life as non-Christians? Why do some bad people seem to catch all the breaks? These are not easy questions to answer, but there are some clues to why Christians must often journey through some very difficult times in their lives.
First of all, we live in a society that has very little use for the Christian life or its Biblical world view. Our world is not all that different from the world that Christ walked in. We should not expect better treatment than our Savior. Christ was physically abused, verbally abused, bullied, denied by one who loved Him, betrayed by one who served Him, rejected by one who was crucified beside Him, and ultimately killed for his world view. Why should we feel entitled to better treatment from this world than the King of kings? Still there are circumstances in this life that we may be required to face that we just don't understand?
The Bible tells us, "...He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends the rain on the just and the unjust." (Matthew 5:45). Tornadoes destroy the homes of Christians and non-Christians. Crimes are committed against Christians and non-Christians. Deadly diseases afflict Christians and non-Christians. Christians live in this world and as long as we live here we are subject to the same difficulties in life as everyone else. Why?
There are many reasons, but one is that God is preparing you for a special ministry. Think about it. Most successful support groups are made up of people who have experienced the issue. WeightWatchers is filled with people who have successfully overcome eating and weight issues. Alcoholics Anonymous is made up of people who are waging war on alcoholism. We are best prepared to mentor someone through a difficult situation when we have been through that situation ourselves. It is not an absolute requirement, but there is credibility, sympathy, and understanding that only those who have walked through the valley of despair can understand.
Our muscles grow, strengthen, and mature when they are stressed and exercised, not when we are stretched out on the couch watching television. Likewise, our faith and trust in God grows stronger and more mature when it is stretched. We can exercise our faith by spending time with our Savior, in prayer and Bible study. These activities prepare us for the day when our faith will be tested...and it will be tested. The next time you are required to travel through a difficult life situation, instead of asking "Why me Lord?", say "Precious Lord, Take My Hand." Have a blessed day.
I ask God for help all the time. I always thank him too. Yes, we are all in the same boat, but I think Christians have a far better attitude and understanding of what trials and tribulations we will endure during this life here on earth.
ReplyDeleteLoved the video.
Have a blessed day. ☺
I sometimes think we confuse the Almighty with Santa Claus. We live in a world filled with tribulations and being followers of Christ does not mean we are issued magic wands or exemptions to the trials of the world. It means we have "God with us" figuratively and literally as we face the trials. Something easy for me to right and sometimes not so easy for me to remember in the thick of things.
ReplyDeleteI meant the other "write"
ReplyDelete