“Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel” Philippians 1:12
I have had so many conversations with people lately about why bad things happen to good people? Why does God allow it to happen?
They are challenging conversations. Especially with some of the circumstances people are facing. I wonder it in my own life. It’s why I’m intently studying Job. I’m looking for answers to those questions.
I just realized, I’m asking the wrong questions.
God promised us in John 16:33 we will have trouble in this world:
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Yet, as I’ve talked about before, we’re surprised when they do actually happen. I was surprised when Cody died. I wasn’t expecting it. Didn’t see it coming. Yet it happened. Gratefully, we had answers to a lot of our questions. More times than not, we don’t have answers. I think mainly because there are none this side of heaven.
I can absolutely tell you I did not ask these two questions:
“How is God going to use this to advance the gospel in and through me?” (Phil 1:12)
“How can I display Your great strength in my great weakness?” (2 Cor. 12:9-10)
(Taken from “Is God Trying to Ruin My Life?” by Martha Lawley)
Those are tough questions to ask. It is hard to take the focus off of ourselves. It’s hard to take the focus off of the circumstances. It is really hard to take our focus off of the pain. I find it incredibly difficult.
But I’m going to try. I’m going to try asking these questions instead. I’m going to try and get my focus back on God, instead of myself.
I’m going to try.
Ask Better Questions
