The T-shirt part 1
The question I hear probably more than any other is: If God loves us, why does He let (fill in the blank) happen? And I'm not saying I difinitively have THE answer, but I want to kind of explore MY answer. And I generally think things happen for two reasons. But before I get to those two reason I want to point out that a lot of the things we blame God for really are just the natural consequences of our own choices and actions. I find it funny that when things go wrong it's always God's fault, but when things go right we're the ones in control of our own destiny. But I digress. Ok. The two reasons that things happen--that we have to go through things: 1. So that we can learn and grow. 2. So that we can help others through those same things. Because there's a huge difference between "knowledge" and "experience." It's the difference between head knoweldge and heart knowledge. Between knowing ABOUT something and KNOWING something. Let me say it like this, if we never try anything, and never make any mistakes, then how can we learn from our mistakes? Sometimes (most of the time) you have to do it wrong before you can do it right. And that's not failure. That's learning. And that's how our heavenly Father leads, and guides, and protects, and provides, and takes care of us. Look at Hebrews 4:15, "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmites; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." And 2 Corinthians 12:9, "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." Jesus, our high priest, has been there, done that, and got the t-shirt. He knows what we're going through because He already went through it. When we are weak--which in my experience is all of the time--He is strong. When we stop trying to do (fill in the blank) by ourselves, then He has room to move. Let me say it another way, "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). In this world we'll have tribulation. Why? Because life happens. Because people do things. Because actions have consequences. BUT we can be of good cheer regardless. The Word (which is Jesus, which is love) has been spoken to us. And the hearing of the Word produced faith. Faith that says, "Daddy's got my back." Faith that lets us walk NOT according to sight. NOT just taking what the world gives us and trying to make the best of it. But knowing there's something more. Something higher. Something more excellent. Knowing that peace comes from the inside, not from the outside. Knowing that we don't have to overcome, because Jesus already overcame. And in Him we are MORE than conquerors. So we go through things. And we learn from them. We grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord. And then we turn around and dig a well for the next person. We say, "I've been right where you are, and I know you're going to be ok. I know you're going to get through this. Because I got through it. And I'm going to help you get through it." We receive God's love and we release it to those around us. We let God love us and carry us through and then we love others and carry them through!