The Punches part 2
It seems like the question I hear the most is, "Why do bad things happen to good people?" Or rather, "Why does God LET bad things happen to good people?" And the first thing I want to say is, I believe with all of my heart that God protects us from so many things that we don't see, or realize. I think there's a lot going on behind the scenes. But I also think Jesus explained it pretty well in Matthew 5:44-45, "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his son to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." So first things first, I think we're asking the wrong question. Instead of lamenting that fact that "bad things happen to good people" we ought to be making sure "good things happen to bad people." Because at the end of the day... we're all just people. Good and evil is an OLD COVENANT idea. It stems from the tree of knowledge of good and evil (the tree of death). The same fig tree that Jesus cursed because it was unable to produce any fruit. Look at Hebrews 5:14, "But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." Notice: It doesn't say discern BETWEEN good and evil. Again, that's Old Covenant. It says discern BOTH good and evil. Discern that they are diferent branches of the same tree. And that there is an entirely different tree that we should be eating from. The Tree of Life. And that tree produces the fruit of the Spirit. Which is love. That's where our appetite is satisfied. That's the only thing that CAN satisfy our appetite. It's all about love. So here's my thought for today: Instead of worrying about why bad things happen to good people, understand that even a setback is just a setup for a comeback. Stop judging by appearance, and judge righteous judgment. How many times has something "good" come out of the ashes of something "bad"? But we get so caught up in the moment that we let the emotional roller coaster wreck us. Going off the rails on a crazy train, right? We want to fight against every little thing, making mountains out of molehills, when we should be rolling with the punches. When we should be enjoying the journey, even if it is a long and winding road. Guys... it's a never-ending journey. So you might as well enjoy it. What's the alternative? Give up? I don't think so. Upward and onward. Upward and GOD-ward! God told Moses to tell the people to go forward. Paul wrote warning us NOT to be conformed to this world, but to be transformed (into what we've already been transformed into) by the renewing of our minds. By THINKING about things differently. Not throwing a pity party evey time something doesn't go exactly the way we think it should, but trusting God that He knows what's best for us. Exceeding abundantly more than we could ask OR THINK. We can't even really wrap our arms around how good God is. But He's showing us. All the time. If we're willing to see, and hear, and experience the love that He has for us. If we're willing to roll with the punches.