Why does God allow bad things to happen to believers?
I was thinking this morning about all the young girls who are growing up without godly fathers. I don't think dads have a clue how important they are in the lives of their daughters. Most dads pay attention to their boys - after all, sons are their opportunity to live their lives again - vicariously - through their little boys. They want more for their sons than what they had or experienced. They've lived their lives and made mistakes - as Larry's mom told him - "parents know where all the potholes in life are and if children will listen, parents can guide their sons and daughters around those potholes". Right? So dads spend lots of time trying to mold their sons into their image - only a bigger, stronger, smarter, better version.
But daughters are a different story. Lots of dads feel at a loss of how to deal with little girls. So they back away, and let mom take the lead. That's not good. Little girls need their daddies. If they don't have a relationship with a godly dad, many end up getting married way too young, falling for the first little boy who says the "right things". Girls need dads that are strong, leading their families with gentle firmness; dads who are not afraid to show love, not afraid to admit when they are wrong, but willing to fight to death to protect their families. That makes little girls feel safe and loved.
I could go on and on about why little girls need their daddies, but the thought that God was putting into my head was why does God allow believers to have problems in our lives? Why does a young girl who is a faithful follower of Christ have to deal with a dad who does not provide the support - emotional, financial, spiritual - that she deserves?
I know the answer.
First, of course, we live in a fallen world. Satan is the prince of this world and he only has a short time before he will be cast into the lake of fire. Until that time, he wants to destroy anyone who follows the Son of God. He seethes with anger and hatred towards Christ because Christ has everything Satan wants but will never have: honor, glory and respect. So he causes as much turmoil and pain as he can. He wants us all to be miserable and feel hopeless and unloved. And he does a really good job at whispering those lies into our hearts.
But Secondly, I believe God allows those very difficult things in the lives of His children because He wants us to show non-believers how His children respond differently to bad situations, because they trust His love, no matter what.
He wants our lives to be living sacrifices - shouting our testimony of His faithfulness even in the hardest things. He blesses us with the burdens of this world so that we can be His witnesses. When He allows something so difficult we can hardly bear it, He is trusting that we will rise above the natural human response and shout His praise even through the pain. His purpose is that others will see His love and strength providing everything we need to get through it so that non-believers will be drawn to Him.
We all listen more intently to someone who has experienced the same struggles we are experiencing. We tend to discount advice from someone who has "never been there" even their advice are words straight from the Bible. But if we know someone has gone through the loneliness and despair of feeling unloved by a dad or mom, or maybe they've experienced the loss of a loved one or debilitating illness or disease, or if they have firsthand knowledge of watching their child battle life threatening health issues, our ears perk up, and we listen. We want to know how they manage. We want to see how they've survived so we can do what they did in order to get through our adversities. Their adversities become a powerful testimony - a platform to speak of Jesus.
That young girl that was on my heart this morning can be a powerful witness to other girls she knows who are dealing with an absent father or one who isn't all he needs to be as a dad. She can testify to the comfort and love she has from her Heavenly Father - the peace she had knowing He will never leave nor forsake her. That thing that hurts so much - a dad who isn't there - can become her platform to shout God's faithfulness in her life.
This world is not our home. But while we're here, God gives us opportunities to touch the lives of others for Him. If we had any idea of how incredibly wonderful our Eternal home will be, we would take every opportunity given to us to speak of His love and goodness. We wouldn't be able to keep our mouths shut about the precious Gift Christ offers to those who accept it. The adversity God allows in our lives would turn out to be our greatest blessing - an opportunity to sing His praise to those who are hurting and need the Savior.
The great commission came from Jesus Himself.
Matthew 28:18-20
New King James Version (NKJV)
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
It's not always easy to teach people the gospel with words. Adversity is an opportunity to shine for Jesus, to show His power in our lives and others will see.
He is our provider, protector, strength, healer, redeemer, advocate, comforter....
“You'll never know that Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you have.”
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
14 Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress. 15 Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. 16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. 18 Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. 19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
It's not always easy to teach people the gospel with words. Adversity is an opportunity to shine for Jesus, to show His power in our lives and others will see.
He is our provider, protector, strength, healer, redeemer, advocate, comforter....
“You'll never know that Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you have.”
Max Lucado
Paul faced more adversity than just about anyone, yet He used that adversity to be a witness for His LORD. We should follow his example. Instead of asking God "why?", maybe we should ask God "HOW can I be Your witness in this trial?"
I find great encouragement and comfort from others who have faced my same struggles. This passage from Paul's letter to the Phillipians is a perfect example of how we face adversity through His strength.
Philippians 4
4 Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved.
Be United, Joyful, and in Prayer
2 I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.Meditate on These Things
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.Philippian Generosity
10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.Greeting and Blessing
21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you. 22 All the saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesar’s household.
Lord, write Your word on my heart so I never forget. You will provide everything I need for ever circumstance You allow. Be gloried in my life. Please take control, give me Your wisdom so that I can be Your witness no matter what's happening in my life. I'm trusting in You to work all things together for good according to Your purpose. Nothing I ask or imagine can compare to Your will for me. In the blessed Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen
