I don’t know if you’ve felt this way recently going into the fall season, but I know I have—things just feel heavy. When you look around the world, our country, your state, the community you live in, and even within your own family there are things going on that we just cannot comprehend or control. Tragedy, heartache, difficult times–every single person has been directly or indirectly affected by these things. I get asked this question a lot in my line of work, “Why do bad things happen?” I wish I had the perfect answer for this question, but the truth is that we all wrestle with this question. We often find ourselves seeking an answer for this question when we are trying to understand something that is incomprehensible or unimaginable.
So Why DO bad things happen?
We live in a fallen world. None of us are inherently “good.” We are born sinful, but God gives us free will. Bad things happen whether it is a consequence of our own choices OR the choices of someone else.
My brother recently posted something that summed this up perfectly:
And just in case someone asks you, “why does God allow bad things to happen to good people?” The answer is so that good things can happen to bad people (Romans 5:8). The answer is because God planned a history of redemption (II Timothy 1:9). The answer is because God subjected the world to futility (Romans 8:18). The answer is so that the followers of Christ can display that nothing earthly compares to knowing Christ (Phil 3:7-9). The answer is so that Jesus might be exalted and lifted high. And no, we are not claiming to be “good” (1 John 1:8), but rather believing that we have a faithful and just God who forgives (1 John 1:9). -Jeff Eyler, Sept. 2022
What does God Promise in times of trial?
The Bible is FULL of God’s promises. In times of trial, here are 10 truths you should know:
- He will fight for you:
“The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” (Exodus 14:14)
2. He will give you strength:
“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” (Isaiah 40:29)
“but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)
3. He will protect you.
“But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.” (2 Thessalonians 3:3)
“Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield.” (Psalm 33:20)
“Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.” (Proverbs 30:5)
“For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease.” (Psalm 91:3)
4. He will give you rest.
“Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take up my yoke and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matt. 11:28-29).
5. He will help you and provide for your needs.
“For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” (Isaiah 41:13)
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”
(Philippians 4:19)
6. He will be with you.
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” (Isaiah 43:2)
“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.” (Deuteronomy 31:8)
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)
7. He will give you wisdom.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” (James 1:5)
8. His love for you will never change.
“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you.” (Isaiah 54:10)
“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)
9. You will be victorious.
“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
“No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.” (Romans 8:37)
10. He promises freedom from sin & everlasting life.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” (Romans 10:9-10)
Keep your Eyes Fixed on Jesus
Nowhere in scripture does it promise that we as Christians will have an easy, always prosperous, good life. In fact, it says quite the opposite—that we will experience trials (go check out James 1). But you know what? God has also promised to be with us in those trials. This world is not meant to be our home and the world is not the end (see Romans 8:18). We can find hope by keeping our minds and eyes fixed on the promises of God. He is coming home one day (Rev. 22:20). He loves you and he cares about you.
