Stuff Happens

Ever wonder why bad stuff happens? I was reading Romans yesterday morning and was reminded why…

We rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. Romans 5: 3-4

[…] though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith–of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire–may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 1 Peter 1: 6-7

It’s crazy to think that anyone would rejoice in their sufferings, but if you are a follower of Christ, it’s what you are called to do. I don’t think that this means that you are literally happy about the situation, simply that your attitude is that God’s ways are better than your ways. Things happen because we live in a world full of sin (starting in Genesis). Things happen to get you to turn towards God if you don’t know him or are doing things your own way for a while. (Like when God brought the Israelites into the desert with Moses- see Exodus). Things also happen because God wants to refine us and have our faith be proved genuine- after all, it’s more valuable than gold. In being refined, our lives bring even greater glory to Him and ultimately, that is all that will remain after we are gone (1Peter 1: 24-25, Isaiah 40:6-8). Full circle, stuff happens, but if all goes well, the good and the bad stuff will point people towards God, giving all the glory to Him.