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Tuesday, November 15, 2011

"It Happened For a Reason"

You've heard people reflect on a bad experience and comfort themselves and others by saying, "It happened for a reason."  My take on this philosophy is not a popular one and, I suppose it makes some people uncomfortable...but I would like to share it and see if it challenges my readers a bit. 

The Scriptures clearly say that "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more will you Father in heaven , give good gifts to whose who ask Him."  Matthew 7:11  In another verse, Scripture says "Be sober, be vigilant, for your enemy, the devil, is as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour."  I Peter 5:8

I know that when bad things happen, tragedy strikes, we can bear the pain easier if we think that God has put this terrible "thing" upon us to teach us a lesson.  It makes it seem as if, just maybe, there is a good reason for "it" to have happened.  But as you can see from the Scriptures above, God gives His children good gifts.  But we have an enemy who is seeking to destroy us.

What gives me hope and helps me through a time that I can't understand or bear, is that Scripture also says, "God causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him." Romans 8:28.  That is a vast difference than God causing bad things to happen to us.  On the contrary, He takes those things and works them to our good, if we allow it. 

I don't say these things lightly.  I have gone through experiences in my life, that at the time, felt hopeless, lonely and heartbreaking.  At the time, I could see no reason for them nor any good that could come from them.  I can say, without fail, that the times that I called on God in those situations, He brought me through and I found victory somewhere in the mess.  That's not to say that I don't carry scars from some of life's battles, but I remain undefeated with hope for my future!

When we lose someone dear to us, or our finances are a mess, or sickness falls on us, to say that God caused those things to teach us something, is really shortchanging Him.  He is omniscient and all knowing and smart enough to teach us the things that we need to learn without causing us harm.  We live in a fallen world and the Bible teaches that the "rain falls on the just and the unjust."  So when we travel through those rough times, He will walk with us, comfort us and show us a way to make some good come of it.

I'm so thankful that I have a heavenly Father who loves me and wants me to walk in goodness and peace.  I'm also grateful that when my life takes a turn for the worse, He is my way out, my shelter from the storm.  When you walk through a storm, don't try to find a reason that God caused it, but instead, glean your hope from how He will walk you through it and cause good to come from it that you may not have suffered in vain.

From His Lap,

43 comments:

  1. Amen, Erin! And so beautifully put! <3

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  2. Well-said, Erin. God doesn't cause bad things to happen. But when bad things DO happen, he helps us and guides us through it. Something good WILL develop from it due to him. I share your belief.

    I also believe that when things don't go your way....THAT is when God is at work too. He may have another plan for you. And he knows the end of things. When things don't go the way you wish they would, there is usually a good reason.

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  3. Wonderful post! Our pastor actually spoke on Romans 8:28 a few weeks ago. As Christ followers we are not exempt of "bad things" happening in our lives. But we do have the promise of God Himself that He will work it out for our good ... and His glory.

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  4. Thank you for this wonderful insight. My 29 years of marriage is ending. I know it happened for a reason. Thank you once again.

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  5. Tawny,
    Thank you!!! So glad you stopped by!
    Love you, sis!
    ~Erin

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  6. Amen, Michael Ann! My thoughts exactly. Thank you so much for stopping by.
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  7. Granny,
    I hate that part about not being exempt from bad things! ;0) Thank you so much for your input here.
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  8. Alma,
    I do not believe that God caused the end of your marriage, but I do believe that He can make something beautiful and good of the rest of your life!! Divorce doesn't not have to define you or bring life to a halt. Walk the rest of your journey with Him and be blessed!
    Hugs,
    ~Erin

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  9. Erin I stopped thinking of God causing bad things to happen a long time ago. I don't think I could go on or want to believe in God if I thought he was causing the things that are so hard and painful. I believe that God is there for me through the hard times. I also think my faith allows me to see the lesson or silver lining as a way to move on. Beautiful post Erin! Much love!!

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  10. Thank you, Kathy! I feel the same way. We are asked to trust in a loving God and I could never trust anyone who would strike me or a loved one down, just to teach us something. I believe He uses those things to teach us what He wants us to learn. He is a good Father!
    Love you, girl!
    ~Erin

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  11. I am living proof that God uses bad for good and the bad can turn into a beautiful gift. You have to obey and let him use you to glorify him.

    thanks for stopping by my blog.

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  12. Exactly...why do people find it so hard to believe and accept if there is good, then there is evil. If there is God, then there is the Devil.

    You made perfect sense to me!!!
    Sharon

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  13. Erin, I read this post a few days ago from my iPhone so I couldn't easily comment right then. But what's so interesting to me is how God works. I just happened to be working the editing on a particular chapter of my book. The chapter was originally titled...Find the Lesson...and it was written with the thought that in every trial we face, there is a lesson to be learned. Something didn't feel right about the tone of how I wrote the chapter, but I couldn't quite put my finger on what it was. In hindsight, I think I was having trouble communicating effectively that there's an opportunity for growth in each trial, rather than our trials happen because God is trying to teach us something. Then of course, God led me to a break, which led me to read this post. And then it all made sense. So now that chapter is titled An Opportunity To Grow. And the tone is less about finding the lesson and more about growing or changing. It's about breaking free from our own chrysalis so we can fly with the beauty God meant for us to have.

    Thank you for being my inspiration today!

    Love you,
    Rosann

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  14. Julie,
    Those are my beliefs too! God is a good father, and just like our earthly fathers, He doesn't cause us harm, but brings good out of the harm. Thank you so much for stopping by!
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  15. Sharon,
    You always bless me...straight to the point and don't pull any punches. I love your nuggets of truth!
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  16. Rosann,
    Don't you love it when you have a fuzziness about something in your heart and the Lord shows up and makes it clear!! Thank you so much for sharing. I can't wait to read your book!
    Hugs,
    ~Erin

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  17. I agree with you! =)

    Your post reminded me of the story of Joseph. In Genesis 50:20, he says that what his brothers meant for evil, God meant for good. I like the fact that God is a game-changer for me; He turns evil around for good.

    Thanks for that reminder!

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  18. TJ,
    That Scripture is a perfect example of what we are talking about here!! Thank you so much for sharing it with us! I love that God is a game changer!! Woo hoo!!!
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  19. Hello! I'm following you from VoiceBoks since you're a featured member this week! I'm following you through GFC and Facebook as well.

    I hope you're having a wonderful rest of your weekend!

    Much Love,
    Courtney P.
    www.peaceloverecipes.com

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  20. Good morning - I'm visiting the featured members from VoiceBoks today. I love this post. God is amazing in His ability to use our trials to grow the character of Jesus in us. We wrote matching posts this week - my latest post is on a similar theme. Guess it's going around ; )
    Blessings!
    Lisa

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  21. Thanks, Erin, for this wonderful insight!

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  22. I love the way you write! Whenever I feel lonely, I imagine myself sitting cross-legged in the palm of God's hand. Thanks for visiting my blog. I'm following you back!

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  23. "That's not to say that I don't carry scars from some of life's battles, but I remain undefeated with hope for my future!"

    As random as it may seem, this line really spoke to me. Thank you for posting this. I love reading from women who are loving God and learning from Him. It encourages my own growth. Now following from VB. Congrats one being featured!

    God Bless

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  24. Abby,
    Thank you so much for stopping by! I'm glad my post blessed you!
    Hugs,
    ~Erin

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  25. Courtney,
    Thank you so much for stopping by! Don't you just love voiceBoks? I have made so many great friends there!
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  26. Columba,
    I'm going to have to ck out your post! I love it when God is speaking the same thing to a lot of people's hearts at the same time!!!
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  27. Shannon,
    You know I love you, sister! Thanks so much for stopping by! Happy Thanksgiving!
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  28. Lisa,
    Thank you so much for stopping by and for your very kind words! I hope you have a blessed Thanksgiving!
    Hugs,
    ~Erin

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  29. I love my children with all my heart and I would never allow, permit or cause any harm to come to them. They know I'd walk through fire to keep them safe and if anything should ever happen I will be there to carry them through. I'm God's child. How could I believe He caused me harm? No.
    My enemy has been trying to destroy me every since he found out that I found out who I really am but my Father is able to carry me through ANYTHING!
    Thank you for this post. It ministered to me today.
    Blessings!

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  30. Forgive me. I got so caught up in your post I forgot to congratulate you on being a featured member this week on voiceBoks

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  31. Very insightful post, Erin! I have to admit that I'm one of those who espouse that "things happen for a reason" mindset. You're right. God will never let bad things happen to us.
    Thanks for this fresh perspective. :)

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  32. Thank you, Taylor! You are right, if we walk into sin or harm's way, and turn to the Lord for help, He will never turn us away and He will walk with us through the rough places.
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  33. Pepper,
    I believe that sometimes God does let things happen because He gives us free will to choose. But I don't believe He causes bad things to happen. And He will make a good thing come out of the bad if we allow Him to show us what it is.
    You are such a blessing!
    ~Erin

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  34. Congrats on being on of the Featured Members of the week on vB =)
    This post really makes me think...
    I have to disagree with a bit of what you--I believe GOD is the desider of all-GOOD&EVIL(he after all created the devil-so therefore he created evil) SOMETIMES there is a reason he brings evil,bad what have you... In Isaiah 53:10
    (KJV)
    Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin...
    talking about Jesus and its NOT that GOD finds pleasure in pain, but having his SON go to the cross was the way to free US from sin.

    Ephesians 1:22
    (KJV)
    And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church

    This verse tell me that He(GOD)is the head over ALL things...

    this is just MHO from what I've read in the BIBLE, I cannot arguee with your statements that GOD walks with us through these times.

    Romans 8:28
    (KJV)
    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.

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  35. Pamela,
    Thank you so much for stopping by! I appreciate what you shared with us here. God created Lucifer to be an angel to be with Him in the heavens, but Lucifer chose to sin and was cast out. I believe that He gave us free will to choose and that's on us, not on Him. Praise God, He is faithful to forgive and make us clean again, when we ask!!
    I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  36. Stopping in again for M2R 4/28 - 4/29

    Yes "free will" is all on us --TOTAL AGREE =)
    And when we fall GOD is RIGHT there!!! Amen!

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    1. Amen, Pamela, amen! Thanks for visiting again!
      Blessings!
      ~Erin

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  37. Erin, I'm really enjoying reading your posts a second time. :) This one makes me look back over our trials of the past decade and I see how much God has used those to transform me from the inside out. I'm so grateful and I praise Him for knowing what was best for me.

    Hugs to you friend,
    ~Rosann

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    1. Rosann, I'm so grateful that uses our trials to transform us and to help us get to where He intended us to be in the first place.
      Blessings,
      ~Erin

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  38. Finally have a moment to comment! ;) I read this on my phone last night. Anyways.
    I totally agree. In fact that's exactly how I believe it to be. God does not cause the evil. I think of Job. While God did say to Satan, look at my servant. Satan was the one who ultimately wanted to harm Job and he did.
    God used what Satan did for Jobs good, even though it was painful and hard. VERY hard. And really for those all around, we don't know
    WHAT went through the minds of the "friends" and the wife.
    Also sin has really done a number on us, but God made a way through Jesus. So glad for that. :)
    Anyways, very well said. :)

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    1. Thank you, Sarah. I'm glad you came back to comment. You said that very well. God will always use our lives and choices if we just let Him! I'm blessed by our new friendship!
      ~Erin

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  39. Erin, I always love your posts.. You make great points and you are clear and understanding.. I adore your blog.

    Shauna
    Bipolar2happiness.com

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    1. Shauna, I always love when you stop by. Thank you so much for your kind words. You are a blessing!
      ~Erin

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Thank you for giving us a little nugget of truth from your heart!

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