Why do bad things happen to good people? This is probably the question that has always been asked, especially when we are the ones that it's happening to.
I've been in this boat for what feels like a lifetime, but the thick of it has only been two weeks. The feeling of despair is real. First, a loved one got sick, then my Mom's dementia spiked, and it hasn't gone down. You get ridiculed and yelled at for things you have not done. Then, my uncle had a stroke. We lost him six days later. I found myself in tears most of the time. Dealing with dementia is bad enough, but when you add it to other heartbreaking events. There's this pit of despair that you have to come out of.
I was talking to a friend going through her own trauma, and she said I know we aren't supposed to question God, but why do we have to go through these things? The first thing that came to mind was Moses and the Israelites and how they took an eleven-day journey and made it forty years. God kept giving them tasks so they would learn to depend on Him, but they never did. Even Moses, in the end, was tired and messed up. He never made it to the promised land, either. But he wasn't shunned in heaven because we know he returned with Elijah to help Jesus on that mountain.
About eight years ago, I gave my life to Christ. We think bad things won't happen to us just because we devote ourselves to him, but they do. It's the cycle of life. Sometimes, it's even harder on Christians because things will come against us even more. After all, the dark side wants to stop us and derail our thoughts and mission in this life. It's not easy to be faithful to God sometimes when all these wrong things are happening to us. There's a part of us that wants to say I'm done, I've had it, I don't care anymore.
But that's usually when God's working overtime for us. We all remember Job and the devastating time he went through. He lost family members, friends, and a lot of his livestock. He was considered one of the wealthiest men of his day. In the Bible, it sounds like it went on for years, but theology tells us it was about nine months. It didn't stop until Job said in Job 19:25, "For I know that my Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth." He proclaimed his God was his salvation. He spent a lot of time on his knees crying and questioning, asking him why God why. God doesn't hear that, but he heard Job say, "For I know my Redeemer lives."
We must confess that out loud and praise God, especially in these dark times. Let God know he is our Redeemer, and he lives within us. We are faithful to him no matter what our circumstances say. I've cried and questioned many days in these two weeks, but I'm learning to give it all to God because he is my Redeemer and lives within me. He is my salvation; he is my rock in which I stand, and I will praise his name no matter my circumstances.
When all else fails, God is there to guide and help us. We need to rely on him to put all our problems in a basket and lay them at the feet of Jesus. Trust that our Lord and Savior has us in the palm of his hand, and these dark days won't last forever. Look for the good things this life offers and keep Jesus in our focus.
Another friend said to me, concentrate on doing something good for yourself. Treat yourself to a pedicure, have a picnic, or take a walk. Thank God for the day; even though it's not a perfect day, God's in it with you. It says in Deuteronomy 31:8, The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." Because he loves us, and he is our God!
Let us pray:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for this day and that you are here with us. Thank you Father God for loving and caring for us all the days of our lives. That you make us stronger in whatever we may face. If God is for us, who is against us? We can do all things through he who makes us stronger, we do not stand alone. We thank you, Lord, for your hedge of protection around us as we move forward in this life. Thank you for loving us the way you do. In Jesus Holy name we pray. Amen
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