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When Bad Things Happen …

Remember a time when you faced something difficult? It might not have been some major life-and-death issue. Maybe it was "just" the breakup of a relationship. Maybe it was the disappointment of not making the team or not getting accepted by your first-choice college. Perhaps it was an illness you faced.

Or maybe it was a life-and-death issue. A friend who faced serious disease or a devastating accident. The death of a parent. The disintegration of a family.

When hard times strike, it's not surprising that we would voice the one-word question, "Why?" That "why" can pack so much emotion—quiet confusion, tear-stained desperation, or even anger. But as we sort through our feelings, our questions, even our doubts, it is good to remind ourselves that a loving God always hears us and always cares.

The Bible puts it this way: "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31). The Bible says something else about tough times that may be even more startling. "Consider it pure joy … whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance" (James 1:2-3).

Who would ever put the words "joy" and "trials" in the same sentence? God would. But why?

It's astounding to think that God is big enough to bring something good out of something bad. But that's exactly what he promises to do. Sometimes it takes awhile for us to see what God is up to. And there may be times when we don't see the "good" at all. In those times, it can feel as though God is very far away. Yet God takes a personal interest in us and in everything we experience.

We will encounter hardship. We will experience pain. These challenging times will bring frustration, but they can also bring hope and deepened faith. God will use them for his—and our—good. They will make us stronger. In fact, God is so skillful at bringing something positive out of the most negative circumstances that it can stir a sense of joy just anticipating the good that he will do, even in the face of all that pain.

From the Word:
"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him" (James 1:12).

Sooner or later we all
face tough times. It's
not surprising that we
would ask, "Why?"

The Power Pack Challenge
In this "Power Pack," we focus on hardship. We want to challenge you to study Scripture passages on the theme of tough times. As you do, we hope you'll be better equipped to "persevere under trial."

Read it! Tears and tough times At times you may wonder what on earth God is doing. Life can go terribly, terribly wrong. It may test your sanity, or even your faith. You're not alone. Job, Paul, and even Jesus himself went through times that pushed them to the edge—right to the place where only God could save them. There is a short book in the Old Testament called Lamentations. You'll find it near the middle of your Bible, right after the book of Jeremiah. In fact, Jeremiah probably wrote it. He penned those words of lament in the heat of conflict. He was afraid. He was broken. He cried. He also found hope. What was the conflict? How did it affect the writer and the people around him? Where did he find hope? Read Lamentations and search for the answers to those questions. At the same time, see if you can find this: Within this small book lies the inspiration for one of the great songs that Christians around the world still sing. Some of the words were taken directly from this book. What is that hymn, and why can we sing it, even in tough times? (If you're having trouble finding the hymn, here's a hint: Think of God's faithfulness.) Jars of Clay You've heard of the band Jars of Clay, right? You can find the words that inspired the name in 2 Corinthians 4. But first, before you read that chapter, flip over a few pages and see what you find in 2 Corinthians 11. Paul talks about fake leaders in the church, then says that, compared to them, he has worked harder, been imprisoned more frequently, been beaten more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Then he gives a whole catalog of his tough times. Find out what those tough times were in 2 Corinthians 11:24-29. Now return to the Jars of Clay chapter, 2 Corinthians 4, and see if you can find the answer to these questions: How could Paul possibly maintain a positive outlook? What do you know about Paul from these verses, and from your other reading, that gives clues to the inner strength that kept him going? What do you find in his experience that might help you when you encounter troubles?

Work on it! Here are some things to try: If you've been struggling lately, here are some suggestions for sticking close to God and working through your trials: Spend some time alone. Really focus on God and let him speak to you. Find a Christian adult you can talk to. Ask that person to meet with you every week to talk about the things you're experiencing and the ways God can work through this situation. Rent a video, read a Scripture passage or listen to a song that always cheers you up. Write a poem or a song about the way you're feeling. If you don't feel up to that, try keeping a journal. Get involved in your youth group or another group of Christians. Their fellowship could be just what you need to get through whatever you're dealing with. Want more? If you've found this column helpful, you might be interested in the Deeper Devotions Series, also by Jim Long. It's Who You Are That Counts is a study of the fruit of the Spirit. When Things Get Tough is based on the book of James. Both are published by Zondervan Publishing House and are available at your local Christian bookstore, or for information, call 1-800-727-3480.

Copyright © 1999 by the author or Christianity Today International/Campus Life magazine. For reprint information call 630-260-6200 or e-mail clmag@CampusLife.net.
March/April 1999, Vol. 57, No. 8, Page 10

Read more from 'Devotionals'

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