By Rev Dr. D. Wayne Beeks | October 30, 2018
The other evening, I had the privilege to minister two fellow deputies going through difficult times and changes in their lives.The familiar theme and question of each of them were if God is so good, why does he allow bad things to happen, and having the feeling of being a failure with everything they are doing.
Nowhere in the bible does it say life will be free of hardship and struggle.Instead, the bible says there will be difficult times in our lives.Walking daily with God does not guarantee a pain-free life and to not fail.Walking with God, and keeping His word ensure salvation and a place in His Kingdom which is the greatest reward of all.
“Dear friends, don't be surprised when the fiery ordeal comes among you to test you as if something unusual were happening to you.Instead, rejoice as you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may also rejoice with great joy when his glory is revealed.If you are ridiculed for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.Let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or a meddler.But if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed but let him glorify God in having that name.For the time has come for judgment to begin with God's household, and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who disobey the gospel of God?And if a righteous person is saved with difficulty, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?(So then, let those who suffer according to God's will entrust themselves to a faithful Creator while doing what is good.” (1Pe 4:12-19 CSB)
God allows struggle and difficult times because we are sinners and we all come short of the glory of God.God loves us, but because of our sinful nature, He allows these things to happen.He knows that by allowing us to experience failure, pain, and struggle, we will grow stronger in our faith and to become closer to Him and moving away from sin.During our times of struggle, the path is not easy and without pain, but having faith in Him and knowing He will never leave us shall be enough to get us through.God does not cause suffering, but He can and may allow it to accomplish good.
“We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.”(Rom 8:28 CSB)
God allows us to experience the consequences of our poor choices, and the consequences of not living in His word.We have the gift of free will, and because of it, we are free to make decisions; both good and bad.If we were to suffer no consequences for our bad choices what motivation would there be for each of us to make good and sound decisions? More so, if God were to intervene in all our poor decisions, then we would no longer have the gift of free will; allowing the freedom to choose good and bad.Few would argue that a lesson learned with pain, struggle, and hardship is a lesson quickly forgotten.
“No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”(Heb 12:11 CSB)
God allows for struggling to build our inner strength and faith.Without struggle and resistance, a person would be weak and unable to sustain themselves when confronted by the challenges of experience in life.A tree that grows in the absence of wind will quickly reach a point where it can no longer stand upright, and it will fall over and perish; lacking the strength to even support its weight, let alone the wind of struggle. Think back over the years of those individuals admired and respected for their strength of character and their wisdom.Were these people from a life without difficulty and conflict?
“And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope.This hope will not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (Rom 5:3-5 CSB)
God allows us to struggle and fail to bring humility and realization we need Him in our lives all day, every day.Sometimes it is hard to see and understand why a loving God allows us to struggle and experience hardship, but it is because of His love for us and His desire to bring us closer to Him he allows it.If a person lived a life filled with endless comfort and without a struggle; would they seek the Lord?I doubt many would.
“But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness." Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may reside in me.So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and in difficulties, for the sake of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2Co 12:9-10 CSB)
We may attempt to see the positive outcome achievable through experiencing struggle, hardship, and pain, but we only see it for the pain and struggle.When we strive to understand and experience God, we can do so from our limited, imperfect senses.It is like looking at the world through a soda straw.We get a very narrow and limited view.Unlike God, we are unable to see and know the totality, only seeing a glimpse of a reflection.
“For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, as I am fully known.”(1Co 13:12 CSB)
There will be times where it seems the undeserving needlessly suffer through no fault or doing of their own.What useful purpose would such suffering bring?Through such suffering, the grace and mercy of God may also be seen by others, so they may come to know God.
“As he was passing by, he saw a man blind from birth.His disciples asked him: "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind? ““Neither this man nor his parents sinned," Jesus answered. "This came about so that God's works might be displayed in him.” (John 9:1-3 CSB)
Although we struggle and suffer because of our sin, it is also of His love for us, God will allow us to struggle, and to experience pain and failure.
“In struggling against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: My son, do not take the Lord's discipline lightly or lose heart when you are reproved by him, for the Lord disciplines the one he loves and punishes every son he receives.” (Heb 12:4-6 CSB)
During times of struggle, it may not be easy and or will it be without pain but having our living faith in Him and knowing He will never leave us shall be enough to get us through our trials.
"Be strong and courageous; don't be terrified or afraid of them. For the LORD your God is the one who will go with you; he will not leave you or abandon you." (Deu 31:6 CSB)
Our suffering on earth is a small price to pay for the vast riches and glory that await us.
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us” (Rom 8:18 CSB)
