OK, so what is the answer? If God is able to control events and circumstances, why doesn't He? Why does He allow Satan to work evil in this world (check out 1John 5:19 - "...the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.")?
These are the types of questions humans have been asking since after the days of Adam and Eve. Remember, they were there. They knew the answer to those questions. They were the cause of these questions in the first place.
The answer is ... it depends! Don't you hate that answer? It's like your parents answering you with - "maybe". It just leaves a lot to be desired. I told you there is no "one size fits all" answer to this question, though. Here, I'll give you five reasons why, however, there are more. I'll leave it to you to try to apply the correct reason to each situation. That's part of our relationship with God - seeking Him to find the answers.
The first reason: Adversity breeds toughness. Ever heard the expression, "tough times don't last; tough people do"? I've heard that when a bone is broken, that particular point is "stronger" and less likely to re-break than anywhere else along that bone. Now, I'm not sure if that's 100% true or not, but the principal it illustrates is a good one. When you face adversity, you come out stronger on the other end. Kind of a "that which doesn't kill us makes us stronger"deal. It's also been said that God is more interested in our character than our comfort. The overwhelming goal of the Christian is to become more "Christ-like". The Bible refers to God as a refining fire. Just as raw ore is sent through the fire in order to drive out impurities, so we sometimes are allowed to go "through the fire" in order to drive out impurities in our own lives. This thought leads me to the next, which is ...
Sometimes trials, suffering, adversity, etc..., are allowed, because God knows they are likely to drive us to Him. That's what occurred in my life; that's what occurs in many lives - people have to hit "rock bottom" with nowhere else to turn; that's when they look for God. That's His goal after all, to save us from eternal separation from Him to eternal residence with Him. That's why God sent His only begotten Son - so that whoever believes that He is God and that He died for their sins, can be saved for that purpose. These people are called "joint heirs to the Kingdom of Heaven" and "children of God". Those titles are reserved ONLY to those who have accepted Jesus and His work. He also says in His Word, the Bible, that if we seek Him, He will be found. It's a promise. This reasoning also answers the question, at least partially, of, "Why would/How could a loving God send anyone to hell?" I'll cover this, eventually, in more depth, but for now, let's make it clear. God doesn't send anyone to hell; they send themselves. I can hear you out there saying "What? Who would send themselves to hell?" They don't do it intentionally, for the most part, but they have a choice. We already covered how humans are responsible for our present condition through sin. We haven't covered the fact that God is absolutely pure (but, we will), and that He cannot stand any hint of imperfection in His presence (but, we will). Without Jesus (I'll explain "how" later), we stand no chance of entry into Heaven, but are condemned to hell. God did everything possible and gave everything possible, to provide a way for us to not go to hell. Whether we choose to jump in the lifeboat to escape the sinking ship or not, is exactly that - our choice.
Third reason: Its a test - for obedience, for patience, for trust, for faith, etc... It's there for your sake. It's there for you to see exactly where you are in your walk with God. Will you obey? Do you believe God will make a way? Do you believe He will provide? Just as in school, if there were no tests, neither you, nor the instructor, would know how much of the "material" you've mastered. The whole thing of walking with God is preparing you for your eventual citizenship in Heaven. Again, the standard is "Christ-likeness". By the way, did you know that that is what "Christian" means? It's a "disciple of Christ". What does a disciple do, but copy the one they follow.
Reason number four - and by the way, these are in no particular order - by suffering and enduring through trials, we develop empathy for others. The worst thing in the world (OK, maybe not the worst, but it's not good) is to say to someone who is suffering, "I know how you feel" if you've never suffered similar circumstances. You can't know. The other person knows you can't know. Your words carry no further weight from that point forward and is likely to cause anger or more hurt. The flip side is this - if you have indeed suffered in like manner, you are in a unique position to minister to that person that no one else can reach. You are in a position to be "Christ-like" to that person. I know God is thrilled when we are His "hands and feet" in this hurting world. It blesses the one we are able to minister to AND it blesses the one able to do the ministering. Parents who have lost a child in an accident can use their walk through the shadows to reach and encourage another set of parents enduring the same fate. A cancer survivor can use their battle to reach and encourage someone you and I couldn't even begin to relate to. You get the idea. Reason #4 here is the one reason where you'll be able to say, "I see why now." You might not be able to at the time, but looking back, you'll definitely see the connection.
The last reason will leave you a bit dissatisfied, but it is where your trust and faith live and work. Here it is, are you ready? You may never know why. At least, not on this side of eternity. God may choose not to reveal it to you and you may never be able to look back through life and see the "why" of it all. Did you read through Job like I asked? If you did, you'll see that God never did answer that question for Job. We get to see it, of course, but Job never does. What was Job's response, though? I'll paraphrase - "The Lord gives and the Lord takes. Though He slay me, I will still praise Him." Job understood what I said earlier - everything on the earth is God's, created by Him and for Him. He has the right to do with it as He sees fit. That would be scary if God were not pure, holy, and good, but He is, so it's not. You just have to have faith and trust that God will honor His Word and be true to His revealed character. He says that every good thing comes from above.
God says in Ecclesiastes that He will make everything beautiful in its time. That, basically, says what the verse at the top of this blog says. Did you read it? Here it is again to keep you from having to scroll, "We know that in everything, God works for good with those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28 (RSV). What does that mean? It means this - no matter what it is you are going through, God will use that for good in your life, if you are His.
Remember, all of us are subject to some kind of catastrophe in our lives; no one is exempt. The thing is, what are you going to do with it? Will you let it push you from God, or to God? Smart money says, let it push you to Him.
Talk to you later. Next time we'll look at using science to prove "creationism".
"Egad," you say. "You can't be serious. You can't mix science and religion"
I am, and I will ...
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