Undoubtedly, life brings numerous challenges and trials. Take, for example, the Japan tsunami or Hurricane Katrina. Because of this, it is easy to ask “Why did God allow this to happen, especially in light of Romans 8:28: ‘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’?” It is a question that I often wrestle with. The way that I can sit somewhat comfortably with these situations is declining to focus on the event itself, rather, I focus on the aftermath. I do not subscribe to the idea that God caused the tragedy or put it into effect to wipe people out, rather I see “opportunity”.
In an online forum, I once read a claim that “God and Jesus are the biggest no-shows in history” in light of Katrina. The premise was founded on the belief previously mentioned – that God failed to protect the patrons of New Orleans. I took issue with this statement; this individual did not open his eyes and did not hang around long enough to see the mass influx of Christians who gifted hours, days, and weeks out of their lives to help total strangers get back on their feet. There were few reasons beyond 1 John 4:19 (“We love because He first loved us”) for these Good Samaritans to respond as they did.
There are, of course, other mishaps that people encounter, such as the loss of loved ones, financial instability, miscarriages, and the list continues. I have vast amounts of respect for one of my best friends, who, despite a recent unfortunate circumstance, continues to trust and submits to the idea that God uses such occurrences in ways that we cannot understand in the present. Amen to that, my brother! Indeed, I say that God uses these lowly circumstances so that His glory will be revealed. To elaborate, perhaps God is using an individual's state of financial instability so that the individual, who is no longer dependent on money to carry and sustain his life, may fill those holes in with faith, trust, and love in God and relationships with Christians like those who rushed in after Katrina. (This is the reason I am pursuing a career in bankruptcy law.)
With this, I leave you with scripture.
James 1 (NLT): (2) Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. (3) For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. (4) So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing… (12) God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him. (13) And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and He never tempts anyone else… (16) So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters.
1 Peter 1: (6) There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. (7) These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. (8) You love Him even though you have never seen Him. Though you do not see Him now, you trust Him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. (9) The reward for trusting Him will be the salvation of your souls.
