Why does a good God allow bad things to happen to people? Why did I get ALS? It’s like trying to figure out a scrambled dot-to-dot game. Can God still make something good out of the bad situations in our lives?
Most are familiar with the popular verse in Romans 8:28:
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
While trusting in this promise I’m reminded of this quote that brings me an even deeper insight.
“God never leads His children otherwise than they would choose to be led, if they could see the end from the beginning, and discern the glory of the purpose which they are fulfilling as coworkers with God..” Desire of Ages, p. 224
That’s an amazing thought! That means that all the confusing and hard things we face must have a purpose; if we could see the end from the beginning we wouldn’t choose to have things be any other way. God is working out the details of our lives behind the scenes to bring about a good Divine purpose.
This reminds me of an embroidery project. From the back side it looks all tangled, with random threads going everywhere. Looking at the back side we probably aren’t able to even discern what the picture is. But one day we’ll be able to turn it over and see “the end from the beginning” and the beautiful picture God has been weaving in our lives all along.
Helen Roseveare understood this. She was a single, missionary doctor that was brutally beaten and raped while serving in Congo. She somehow found the strength to still trust God through the trial. She felt like God asked her, “Can you thank me for trusting you with this experience, even if I never tell you why?” Incredibly deep! Think about that for a minute! Here’s a link to her powerful testimony. Video Link
So why did I get ALS? I don’t understand all of God’s ways, or what He is doing behind the visible of what I can actually see. But I can see SOME of the good He’s brought through my having ALS. It has brought a richer, deeper, trusting relationship with my loving Savior. Also, I’ve been able to meet and minister to many who I never would have met without having ALS. It has provided a stage and microphone that helps many be willing to stop and listen. If even one person is in the kingdom because of my testimony, it will all be worth it!
“… But the Lord your God turned the curse into a blessing to you, because the Lord your God loved you.” Deuteronomy 23:5
There is so much more that can be studied into and shared on this topic. I encourage you to look into it deeper. In the meantime, if you’re in a hard season right now, remember that God is not wasting this time. Every struggle, every emotional battle, every time you feel like giving up, remember He is working behind the scenes to create something greater than you can see right now.
One day we’ll understand. We can trust Him, even if on this side of heaven, He never tells us why.
“The ills we see,
The mysteries of sorrow deep and long,
The dark enigmas of permitted wrong,
Have all one key;
This strange sad world is but our Fathers school;
All chance and change His love shall overrule.
What though today
Thou canst not trace at all the hidden reason
For His strange dealing through the trial season?
Trust and obey;
In afterlife all shall be plain and clear.”
Anonymous
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