Do you ever feel that way? Clearly, I do. Especially when it comes to tough trials. I’ve struggled with this thinking a lot recently and I know it’s not all that biblical.
When something bad happens, I usually wonder what it is that I forgot to pray about or what am I slacking on that may have caused this to happen. As if what I do or don’t do has the ability to control it all. Ugh, the topic of “control” is heavy…another time, another post.
Anyways, it is true that suffering is one of the many results of sin in this fallen world (Romans 5:12) but not every difficult moment that happens is a consequence of my personal actions or choices or sin, in general. I think of the conversation Jesus is having with his disciples in John 9. There is a blind man and the disciples are wondering who in the world sinned in order to cause this guy to be blind. Jesus basically tells them it was no one, not even the man himself. The reason behind this ailment is that it will be used to show the works of God. To elaborate, Jesus then spit in the mud, put it on the blind man’s eyes, told him to go wash it off and boom. The blind man is no longer blind.
All that to say, most of the times when we go through challenging situations, it’s not because we fell short but merely because we live in a fallen world. But take heart because one of His promises comforts us by saying something hopeful.
“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” Romans 8:28
In conclusion, I am still figuring this all out and I’m sure will continue to struggle with this way of thinking as He sanctifies me more and more. Let’s just accept that what’s happening is happening, God’s ways are more than we can try to understand and His grace is all we need. Not answers. Not re-dos. Just grace.
♥
