Recently, we’ve witnessed a host of widespread natural disasters. Closer to home, it’s very likely that you have encountered a personal disaster—a divorce, a lost job, debilitating or life-threatening health problems, or some other heartbreaking trial.
It is completely natural to ask why God would allow something like this to happen, why there is so much pain in this world, and why have you been affected while others seem to have it easy.
To be honest, I don’t have the answers. There are a few things that I do know, because they are promised to us in the Bible.
God is in control. While we all want the mountaintop experiences—the wonderful times when everything is going well—those moments are few and fleeting. There is no golden ticket to an easy life. In fact, Jesus told us in John 16:33 that the opposite is true: “…In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (ESV) Yes, there will be hard times—it’s guaranteed—but there’s also a promise: Christ has overcome the world and He is in control.
God promises that good will result from your trial. If you put your faith in Jesus, He will take your suffering and use it to a positive end. Romans 8:28 states, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (ESV) What you are going through is incredibly difficult and painful. However, I pray that you will take solace in knowing that God has a plan. You may not get to see the answer this side of Heaven, but even now He is working through you. Your life matters!
God will walk beside you. God is not abandoning you in the midst of your darkest hour. Rather, He is walking alongside you and seeks to comfort you in your suffering. Further, God promises a glorious existence in Heaven and waits on the other side of the painful realities of this world. Those who put their faith and hope in Jesus will experience what is described in Revelations 21:4: “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (ESV) What an amazing promise!
My friends, short of the Lord’s return, each of us will die at some point. In the scope of eternity, the important thing isn’t when you stand before God, but where you stand with God. If you’ve placed your faith in Jesus, cling to Him. If you haven’t, please don’t put it off any longer. He’s the hope you’re searching for and the only true and lasting remedy in this broken world.
