“Why do bad things happen?” Asked little Bobby. “Well son, it’s because of free will.” Said his pa.
Of course his name is Bobby. I swear, every example of logic puzzles or solving equations starts with a boy named Bobby. While I concur with his dad, there’s much more to life than just, “Bad things happen because of free will, and that’s just how it is.” What then? Is that all there is? I crave more clarity than that! Being a protagonist here, I believe that there’s a brighter side to free will than what often gets displayed in stories or life events. Mainly because of my own faith.
Do misfortunes and tragic events happen? Every single day. Is that the end all be all of a tragic tale? Not if you don’t want it to be. Life isn’t always fair, and that’s just the sad reality that is our world. But what if I told you there’s more to the story? Your story. Perhaps something down the road that you can’t see yet? A spark, a light, maybe even.. dare I say hope? A dangerous little spark that ignites new possibilities. It’s called turning what was meant for evil into something good. It’s surely possible, but it’s not usually a light and easy process. Nothing that good ever is, amirite?
“Okay, but you don’t get it Rachel. If there is a God in heaven who loved me, then why the hell would he allow this to happen to me? I’m a good person. I don’t deserve this!” Trust me, I’ve asked God the same exact question as well word for word, and less politely to boot! My version of “asking” would be crying and yelling at Him. Heck, there was even a time that I told him I wanted nothing to do with my faith anymore, but that didn’t stop His relentless love for me. Nothing can ever separate us from his love. How beautiful, right?!
I ain’t a perfect Christian, I’m a real person. That’s why I try to remind myself to thank Him for the grace and love he so freely gives all of us. That’s one of the main reasons I’m writing about this. My heart is totally connected to the mission of helping people because let’s be real; all of us need help. The funny thing is, it’s usually the believers that need the most help! Don’t write me an angry email, ya’ll know it’s true.
The truth is I don’t have all of the answers for your hardships, and that sucks. You might not find an answer for a long time, and that really sucks! All I can tell you is that God is more than able to bring good out of any hardship or unbearable grievance you face. The caveat here is trust, and it’s not easy. However, it is refreshing to believe that the God who can raise the dead and save the lost can surely bring light into the darkness of our missteps and misfortunes.
We don’t know when, where, or how (unless He reveals it to you, but that’s for another day.) We just need to hold on and cling to the truth that Jesus loves us and no doubt still has a plan regardless of how it may look. He is Abba. The way maker. The bread of life. The lifter of our heads. The one who knit you in your mother’s womb. The one who has the hairs on your head numbered. Don’t you believe you’re of any value to Him? You’re worth dying for.
All you need to know is that you never walk alone. The constant battle for your soul that most can’t see is fierce, but so is His love for you. Keep fighting. You might not have your answers right now, and it’s okay to be angry. If anything, be angry at sin. Be angry with the enemy because he wants you to question God and His love for you.
You may hear something along the lines of, “He’s not even real, do you see him working right now?” “Well, you never really heard Him anyway.” “What kind of God would put you through all of that?” “You’re not smart, you can’t do this.” Fill in the blank. Those are all lies from hell, and it’s time for you to stand up and step into the calling you feel in your heart and soul. You are more than able to do all that you’re destined to do through Jesus who will totally give you strength. So I just want to leave you with that. Whatever you face, remember that you are more than a conquerer.
~Xo, Rachel.
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