"God, why did you do that to me? Why did you take the
one I most love? Why did you permit such illness to conquer my life? Why am I
sterile while others have children? Why? Why?" These are few of the many
questions that many people are struggling to find answers with.
Yet we cannot ask God for answers to these questions
without recognizing His purpose and the lack of answers will only frustrate us
in the process. It is like looking into a one-way window seeing your own
reflection only. The fact remains that we do not know what is happening at the
other side. This is the dilemma that many of us go through because we cannot
see clearly what is really going on. The lack of answers forces people to
become bitter instead of being better. Many end up plainly giving up not
wanting to wait for the answer.
Author and Minister Terry Cole Whitaker told the following
story from Dan Millman, which demonstrates that we cannot judge things as being
good or bad because we do not have access to all the information:
“One day a man bought a stallion, and all of his friends said, “That’s good.” The next day the stallion ran away, and all of his friends said, “That’s bad.” Two weeks later the stallion returned with a herd of mares. His friends said, “That’s good.” The next day his son broke his shoulders when the stallion threw him off. The friends said, “That’s bad.” The next month war broke out. Because the boy was injured, he could not go to war. The friends said, “That’s good.”
The story could go on and on with people judging events as
being good or bad when actually all the events are connected and have an impact
on each other. Paul summarized this truth briefly in Romans 8:28, “And we
know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have
been called according to his purpose.” (NIV)
We need to know that the “all things” that the Apostle Paul
spoke of includes both good and bad. Therefore, we cannot characterize
something as good or bad using its effect on us personally. The measurement
should be the effect on us as a whole after it has totally accomplished its
purpose; aim to be objective when looking at every situation and always be
cautious before judging it.
Looking at it closely, we might be mistaken to think bad
things might be bad while at the end they may be good. Sounds confusing? The
most popular and familiar bible character is Job. Job used God to challenge
Satan with Job’s godly character. Satan responded with his own way of testing
Job to shame God. Job experienced loss one after another yet he remained
faithful. He was not aware until the end where God doubled everything he lost
after he passed the multiple testing. Next is Joseph. And if there is someone
who experiences this concept working the other way around is Joseph. Read the
summary of all the things that have happened to him in Genesis 50:20, “You
intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now
being done, the saving of many lives.” (NIV)
So you see, never misjudge any circumstances occurring in
your life right now as good or bad until the right time. Everything has their
proper time of revelation to determine its benefit or harm. The whole purpose
of Jesus’ first coming is to fulfill the will of God. He came to suffer for
humanity and in doing so, gave us an opportunity to receive peace, healing,
deliverance, salvation, forgiveness of sins and most important of all, access
to heaven through Him alone. Thus, I
would urge you to begin looking at every situation and evaluate their value in
your life. I believe they all serve a purpose and let us choose to submit them
under God’s purpose. You’ll see, you will never be the same again having this
mindset.
Let’s talk again!
