BAD THINGS
Php. 4:4
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”
One of the big questions that seems to cloud the understanding of many Christians is: “Why do bad things happen to good people?” Actually a more appropriate way to ask the question is simply: “why do bad things happen?” (Check out Psalm 14:2-3 or Romans 3:10-12 and you’ll see why I say that). Personally, I find it more and more difficult to distinguish between “good things” and “bad things.” I can say that there are things I don’t like or don’t enjoy. I can say that there are things that I would not have allowed to happen if I were God. But that isn’t a practical way to evaluate the eternal value of events. I am not God. I don’t have God’s wisdom and I certainly don’t have His eternal perspective. To put it simply, it isn’t my comfort level or my understanding that makes events good or bad. It is whether they fit into God’s divine purpose and plan that makes them good or bad.
And Christian friends, this is the promise that He makes to all of us: “In all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” And so Paul reminds the church: “Rejoice in the Lord always.”
--- Pastor Keith Andrews