11.21.08
THIRST …
We have all heard the saying “everything happens for a reason”. What exactly does that mean? How do you answer the question “How could there be a reason for a baby to die or a good person to suffer from a horrible cancer?”
First, we have to understand that God can turn all to His greater good no matter how horrible a situation seems. In Jeremiah 29:11 we know God has plans for each of us. “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” So when I hear someone say “everything happens for a reason” – well to me that translates into, “I trust God completely in all and that includes trusting Him with my life in the good times AND the bad!”
We never know how many lives are impacted by a specific situation or what lesson we are being taught thru the adversity we may face whether it is to us personally or a loved one.
Do you realize that the world’s most highly effective causes were founded as a result of suffering and loss? A mother’s loss of a child to a drunk driver (MADD), a 34 year old young lady facing breast cancer (National Breast Cancer Foundation), a diagnosis of a horrible disease (Franklin Roosevelt was diagnosed with polio and started the March of Dimes, to research and help polio victims. Twenty years later a vaccine was developed and the program then partnered into helping the cause of birth defects). The list goes on and on. In each of these examples God took one person’s suffering and worked thru it to save/help the lives of millions. We never know what God will do but we can trust there is a bigger plan for our lives than we realize. God is good!
But if God is so good, why is there evil? God did not create the world evil, remember after God created everything in HIS own image the Bible tells us “God saw all that he had made and it was very good.” Genesis 1:31. Then Satan came in and used a little bit of truth to deceive Eve into convincing Adam to eat from the forbidden tree. Once Adam did, it was the fall of man and introduced pain, suffering, etc. into the good world God created. Thus forever more sin became part of man and why He sent us His son to free us of that sin. Sin is what brought pain and suffering into the world. Sin is caused from evil, not good.
Okay, so you get now that sin is what caused the evil in the world but then the question comes up AGAIN, “Why would a loving God allow this to happen to His people?” In addition to trusting there is a big plan and God can turn all to His greater good, we also need to appreciate the gift of adversity and what it brings. As Paul describes in 2 Corinthians 12:10 “…For when I am weak, then I am strong.” Think about how powerful that statement is! :) Do we not get thirsty only after we have gone without water? When we face all that we do in life, those things make us THIRST for something bigger, something better out there – that is when we often begin to find our way to God. We face difficult times and face adversity to mature spiritually thus becoming complete. What a blessing – what a JOY! “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4
I know the things I have faced from that hospital bed over the years made me thirst for more. What about you – are you thirsty?
God bless!
Love,
Sandi
