Reasons

Recently I found myself in a discussion with an acquaintance of mine. The topic of our conversation was about my recent loss of a job. Obviously, I am now in a much more difficult position financially. This circumstance, along with a few other pretty major setbacks, has somewhat taken the wind out of my sails. However, I have seen God at work enough times in my life to know that what I see in my present circumstances isn't the end of everything. As this woman was empathizing with my plight, I found myself stating an often used phrase. "Everything happens for a reason."

Almost as soon as the words escaped my mouth, I found myself examining the depth of their meaning. Is it really true that there is a greater purpose for everything that happens in this life? As I reflected on that question, I came to no definite conclusion. On one hand, I believe that there are indeed circumstances that God allows in our lives because He knows that, when we have overcome the current trial, with His help of course, that it will bring us to a place of trust and understanding that we would not have otherwise known. 1 Corinthians 1:25 says, "For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength."

On the other hand, one could argue that there are things that happen simply because each man has free will. Each man's choice has consequences, whether they be good or bad. I have made decisions in my own life that have brought about negative consequences. But what about choices that others make that impact my life, the ones that I have no control over? The same holds true for every other human being on planet Earth. There are always things that occur in our lives that leave us with more questions than answers. Things that seem to be without reason or purpose.

There are some things that I am not sure that we will have answers for in this lifetime. The truth of the matter is that we could spend countless hours and days chasing our philosophical tails and still not have the answer to why we endure some of life's hardships. Believe me when I say that this is a very difficult pill for me to swallow. I like to understand the why's of everything. But I can't and I won't understand everything. It all comes down to whether I'm willing to put my trust in Someone who is far greater than myself or any understanding that I may wish to have, regardless of what my circumstances might be. 2 Corinthians 4:8 & 9 says, "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed." 2 Corinthians 4:17 & 18 says, "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

The way that I should have responded to the woman that I was talking to is this: "I am not sure why some of the bad things happen in my life. What I am absolutely certain of is that I have a Father who knows every detail, and (as my friend Robin says) is not surprised by anything that happens to me. And that very same Father has a plan for me. Whatever the reasons are for the trials that I am facing, I know that I can trust Him to bring good out of the situation. I know that through these difficulties, I will be made stronger. And, right now, that is all I really need to know."