Do you ever find yourself overwhelmed with life, asking the question, "Why are all these things happening to me?" Often we look at conflict and affliction in our life, and wish it wasn't there. We wish a sickness, sorrow, annoyance, or controversy would just go away. Sometimes we think if a certain person were not in my life, things would be so much easier, and all the problems would be gone. Maybe these complications are causing sleepless nights, heartbreak, anger, and even depression. Before we allow "these things" to destroy us, and hold us back from the life God wants to give us, I want to offer another perspective on this.
It's found in the book of Philippians in the Bible. A man by the Paul is writing a letter to a church he started in the city of Philippi. Paul is away from them, and in fact, he is in prison in Rome. He is not in prison for any wrong doing, but he is there for preaching about Christ. Philippians 1:12 says, "the things that happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel." He is saying that the affliction he is facing is so the gospel can be advanced. He also says in verse 14 that many other believers are going to gain boldness and confidence through this, and in verse 20 he says that Christ is going to be magnified! In other words, Paul saw all the affliction, problems,pain, and discomfort in his life as a way for God to be glorified!
Maybe we don't need a change of job, family, church, or circumstances. Maybe it's a change of perspective that we need. Maybe we need to look at "the things that are happening" as things God has allowed into our life for our good, and for His glory.
http://firstbaptistgeneseo.org/joyful/
Pastor Joel
