Bad things happen to good people

"I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted. Job 42:2 (NIV) -- Job is talking to God. Do you ever wonder why "bad things happen to good people?" If you do, you are not alone. I find myself pondering that from time to time, even though I know that God can and does use everything for his glory and everything is permissible by Him. That later fact can be a little hard to swallow especially when you personally experience tragedy and/or see something happening to an innocent person, such as a child. It is hard to wrap our human minds around the fact that "bad things" do in fact happen to everyone, not just the "good" people. It just seems to be more publicized or less expected when it happens to the "good." I must confess that I am somewhat desensitized about "bad" things happening around the world or in less desirable parts of the city because after all, it is all we can read about in the paper and hear on the news, thus becomes the perceived reality of life in those areas. I grew up in a rather chaotic environment and I just accepted that to be the norm. I thought that every one's dad beat up on their mother and every one's uncles were familiar with the local police and booking procedures. I thought everyone must live in hand-me-downs and move a lot to avoid being "evicted." All these were my reality and I never thought them to be "bad," I just thought them to be "normal." It wasn't until I was a little older and moved into a semi-calm environment once my mother remarried and we moved once again but this time to another state and away from so much family turmoil. This was when a new set of expectations were placed upon me yet I knew that they were not "normal" but as with most situations that we are thrust into, I learned to adapt and thus survive. I must say that after my childhood, I had a coping mechanism that helped to me cope with the new twists life threw at me. After I grew up and left home, my life did not calm down yet now I felt like I some sense of control over the issues around me. Ironically, I still surrounded myself with people and elements that I was familiar with growing up, so my reality continued to be perpetuated in my choices and decisions. I was at this point, a little more adept at masking the issues from the outside world and coping on a daily basis because after all, I was in control, or so I thought. By my mid-twenties, I reached a point in my life where I decided I wanted no more of this and made some significant changes in my life, including ending relationships that were toxic and not at all beneficial to my growth as a person. Notice, that no where have I mentioned the Lord. He was there and I had asked Him into my life when I was in my teens, yet I never understood the relationship aspect because I had so few healthy ones in my life. It was not until I started to make changes in my life that I realized that I needed to surrender my control and my decisions to Him and Him alone. I have been happier since that day . Unfortunately, He did not take away all the chaos. It is still there in some aspects of my life, meaning my extended family. He did not take away some of my proclivities but yet He is using them to make me a more effective witness for Him. It also keeps me humble and close to His side because He and I both know that should I have a chance to control things, I will certainly try. Do I stumble? Yes I do and on a continual basis it seems on some days. Do I fall? You betcha!! I have the skinned knees to prove it. Do I get up again!! I can shout with joy that in fact I do and only with the help of the Lord God. My life, as with all of us, continues to evolve. I am not sure what the Lord will have me do but I can't wait to see. It is amazing how He has and will continue to use my past experiences to reach others. As a result of my past, I can relate to so many people that those with a "normal" background can not even begin to understand. God can and does use the "normal" folks too because many of them have been examples and motivators to me throughout my life. He wants to use us all to bring others to Christ. Let's chat, I'd love to share my testimony with you and I would love to hear yours as well!! I get excited to hear what God has and is doing in the lives of others. It's better than any Hollywood Blockbuster!! Dear Lord - -Thank you for being with me through all that I have experienced. I am blessed that you can use any and everything to reach others and to bring comfort and consolation that others are not alone in this world. Thank you for the saints that have crossed my path that have encouraged me and bandaged my wounds all in the name of Christ. I pray that you enable me to be a witness for You and Your majesty at all times. In the precious name of JESUS - AMEN Application:

• What have you experienced in your life? What is your testimony?
• Look back over your life and see all that God has done and how He was working even in your darkest hours. Give Him praise!
• Maybe you're going through something right now and you need encouragement. Let me assure you that you are not alone in your circumstance. Pray that God will bring someone along side you that can help you through. I am praying for you!