Bad Things Happen

By Paula Williamson, guest writer

Bad Things Happen

I don’t know where we get the idea that bad things happen only to those who behave badly. When bad things happen to people who behave badly, some think they got what they deserved. The crisis of faith arises when bad things happen to good and kind people. Trouble finds us all. The book of Proverbs instructs us in the way of wisdom, but no one is exempt from trouble. We live in a world where people do what is right in their own eyes and hurt others. Often, buried traumas lash out at innocent people.

It Is Written

1 PETER 4: 12 -14 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though something strange were happening to 13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that at the revelation of His glory you may also rejoice and be overjoyed.14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory, and of God, rests upon you.

The Promise

God does not promise that bad things will not happen to us. He promises that the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon us. Because of that, we can find peace amid adversity, knowing that even Jesus, the Perfect One, was treated unjustly. Our strength to overcome comes from Him. So don’t be surprised or shaken, and don’t let adversity shake your faith. Adversity is part of life, not a personal indictment.

Prayer

Lord, thank You for all the scriptures in Your word that remind us that adversity is part of life. Thank You that You understand adversity and overcame it on the cross. Thank You that what You did enables us to overcome. Thank You that our strength to overcome comes from You.

Takeaway

We overcome adversity through Him!