Why do bad thing happen to good people?
So many things can fall into the question, such as deaths, illnesses, and just bad situations.
While it's a broad question, let's focus on why we can feel so lousy while in the midst of being used by God. Wouldn't you think it would be the opposite? It seems like when God is using us the most, Satan can attack the hardest.
James 1:2-3 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing if your faith produces perseverance.
That's one of those verses that I unfortunately have conflicting feelings about. Some days I read it and I'm like YEAH FAVORITE VERSE RIGHT THERE! Then other days I read it and I just kinda want to pretend it doesn't exist. (But thank goodness it does!)
Joy and suffering? No, that doesn't go together. But God has a different idea.
This verse is clear about a few different things.
1) Trials of many kinds.
Life can have so many unexpected twists and turns in it, but the verse already prepares us for that. Trials can take many different forms, and none of them are gonna seem very fun.
We each have different life stories. I haven't experienced the same pain you have experienced, so I don't really understand what you're going through. In the same way, you probably can't understand my type of pain. Every single person on this earth has a story. We all face different things. While it sometimes seems confusing that we have to face the hard stuff, the Bible is pretty clear that we are gonna go through things, and this verse has every kind of hardship covered. While the trials of life aren't fun, we know we will face them.
2) WHENever you face trials.
Not if we face them, not whoever faces them, WHENever YOU face them. They are gonna happen.
Sometimes we make big mistakes and even bigger consequences follow. We mess up and bad things happen. That's probably pretty expected. But like I mentioned earlier, sometimes these things happen when we are striving to live for the Lord. We are on fire for God, it seems like nothing can stop us, then BOOM. Life hits, and it hits hard. These trials are also covered in the verse. It doesn't matter when they happen, they are going to and God knows it.
3) Consider it pure JOY.
Somehow, that's possible. Through GOD it's possible.
But... how? I was able to give my testimony to some kids last week and after I mentioned my battle with depression, a kid raised her hand and said "So why do you smile all the time?". That question made me realize even more how much I depend on Jesus. I knew that Jesus is my strength, but hearing that question asked outline made me realize how the heck WOULD I smile without Jesus? I honestly don't think I could have any ounce of happiness if it weren't from Him. Life is hard, But Jesus is so so good.
Another reason I think we can have joy during trials has to do with this verse:
James 5:11 As you know, we count blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
I'm currently reading through the book of Job and dang that man suffered a lot. He lost EVERYTHING. However, God reminded Job that He has it under control. Job did what was right in the Lord's eyes and he still faced that suffering.
While some of our hardships are most definitely caused by our bad decisions, Job's story shows us that sometimes they aren't. In fact, I believe that Satan sometimes attacks us most when we are living our best for God. Real spiritual warfare.
Matthew 5:11 Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
So some of the most Christ-fearing men went through some awful things because Satan attacked them. Satan doesn't want us to be an example for Christ, so he is going to do everything in his power to make us useless for Christ. Luckily, our God is far more powerful.
If these verses aren't enough proof that even though bad things happen we still can have joy, let's look at Jesus.
He is the only perfected human to ever live, and we know he sure suffered. Not only did he emotionally and physically take on all of our sins, but he died the most excruciating death possible. I bet He didn't feel too well in that moment. However, he did it freely for US. And Jesus knew about joy. Jesus IS joy.
To wrap this up, my point is that the greatest man that will ever live, our Savior and Lord Jesus, suffered. He suffered FOR US. And now he is there to COMFORT us in our greatest sufferings.
God is NOT just sitting in heaven just waiting to see who He can get to suffer next. God is here with us reaching out His hand so when we do experience suffering of any kind, He is right there to catch us and never let go. And THAT is why we should have joy in everything.
Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again: Rejoice!
So many things can fall into the question, such as deaths, illnesses, and just bad situations.
While it's a broad question, let's focus on why we can feel so lousy while in the midst of being used by God. Wouldn't you think it would be the opposite? It seems like when God is using us the most, Satan can attack the hardest.
James 1:2-3 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing if your faith produces perseverance.
That's one of those verses that I unfortunately have conflicting feelings about. Some days I read it and I'm like YEAH FAVORITE VERSE RIGHT THERE! Then other days I read it and I just kinda want to pretend it doesn't exist. (But thank goodness it does!)
Joy and suffering? No, that doesn't go together. But God has a different idea.
This verse is clear about a few different things.
1) Trials of many kinds.
Life can have so many unexpected twists and turns in it, but the verse already prepares us for that. Trials can take many different forms, and none of them are gonna seem very fun.
We each have different life stories. I haven't experienced the same pain you have experienced, so I don't really understand what you're going through. In the same way, you probably can't understand my type of pain. Every single person on this earth has a story. We all face different things. While it sometimes seems confusing that we have to face the hard stuff, the Bible is pretty clear that we are gonna go through things, and this verse has every kind of hardship covered. While the trials of life aren't fun, we know we will face them.
2) WHENever you face trials.
Not if we face them, not whoever faces them, WHENever YOU face them. They are gonna happen.
Sometimes we make big mistakes and even bigger consequences follow. We mess up and bad things happen. That's probably pretty expected. But like I mentioned earlier, sometimes these things happen when we are striving to live for the Lord. We are on fire for God, it seems like nothing can stop us, then BOOM. Life hits, and it hits hard. These trials are also covered in the verse. It doesn't matter when they happen, they are going to and God knows it.
3) Consider it pure JOY.
Somehow, that's possible. Through GOD it's possible.
But... how? I was able to give my testimony to some kids last week and after I mentioned my battle with depression, a kid raised her hand and said "So why do you smile all the time?". That question made me realize even more how much I depend on Jesus. I knew that Jesus is my strength, but hearing that question asked outline made me realize how the heck WOULD I smile without Jesus? I honestly don't think I could have any ounce of happiness if it weren't from Him. Life is hard, But Jesus is so so good.
Another reason I think we can have joy during trials has to do with this verse:
James 5:11 As you know, we count blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
I'm currently reading through the book of Job and dang that man suffered a lot. He lost EVERYTHING. However, God reminded Job that He has it under control. Job did what was right in the Lord's eyes and he still faced that suffering.
While some of our hardships are most definitely caused by our bad decisions, Job's story shows us that sometimes they aren't. In fact, I believe that Satan sometimes attacks us most when we are living our best for God. Real spiritual warfare.
Matthew 5:11 Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
So some of the most Christ-fearing men went through some awful things because Satan attacked them. Satan doesn't want us to be an example for Christ, so he is going to do everything in his power to make us useless for Christ. Luckily, our God is far more powerful.
If these verses aren't enough proof that even though bad things happen we still can have joy, let's look at Jesus.
He is the only perfected human to ever live, and we know he sure suffered. Not only did he emotionally and physically take on all of our sins, but he died the most excruciating death possible. I bet He didn't feel too well in that moment. However, he did it freely for US. And Jesus knew about joy. Jesus IS joy.
To wrap this up, my point is that the greatest man that will ever live, our Savior and Lord Jesus, suffered. He suffered FOR US. And now he is there to COMFORT us in our greatest sufferings.
God is NOT just sitting in heaven just waiting to see who He can get to suffer next. God is here with us reaching out His hand so when we do experience suffering of any kind, He is right there to catch us and never let go. And THAT is why we should have joy in everything.
Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again: Rejoice!
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