How to Praise God in Adversity

[phkrause]

By C. Gatti

Kirk Cameron takes on the question all of us have asked ourselves: “Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people?” and “How can I praise God in adversity?” The good news is that you can, but there is no easy answer. In “Unstoppable,” Cameron looks to peel back the sometimes convoluted layers in a visual journal. He will start by exploring roots of good and evil.

"It's easy to get excited about your faith when things are going well in your life,” Cameron said. “But when your whole world comes crashing down on you, the questions start: ‘Where is God when I need him most? Why do bad things happen to good people?’

The following are ways to help you refocus, reenergize, and encourage you to be unstoppable! On your journey please make sure to visit Kirk and see his new inspiring film.

http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Gallerie..._term=yahoo.com

[Restin]

I especially appreciate this message because this has been a trying summer for me with so many storms in Florida this year...took out my well pump, computer, telephone, and all power several times from trees falling on the line. Was without running water five days, but I keep a large store of water in tubs, etc.

I tend to say,"what did I do, Lord?"...where I probably did or didn't do something or other (you can always think of something). But there's more to it than that. God allows some bad things to happen for His own reasons you may not understand for decades. Or maybe something supposed to mature you in your relationship with Him. I don't ever say He is "testing" me, because He already knows where I am spiritually. But the so-called "test" is for ME to see where I am, and seek His help for it.

Anyway, I've gotten everything back in order and didn't quite break me financially; so, God was merciful even though it's been rough going.

[Gail]

Glad to hear that you have been able to pick up the pieces each time

Restin, sometimes life in this world is just life. We live in a sinful place and bad things happen to us all. We all get a turn. This morning my husband went out to his car to take the dogs for a walk and discovered it ransacked.

But your mindset can focus on what is wrong, or it can consider the worst that DIDN'T happen. Your life was preserved through it all and you were able to get the repairs done without going into debt. I, when reading your account of it, am thankful on your behalf.

As Christians we take these calamities and by God's grace minister love to those who are suffering. Where sin did abound, God's grace did much more abound, the Bible says (Romans 5:20). It might be a test for you, but maybe not, either, personally directed against you.

I believe that Satan wants nothing better than to destroy us all. But God gives us beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. I'll make that trade any day!

[phkrause]

Hi Restin, I didn't realize there were that many storms this year in your neck of the woods? My Mom who lives in Deltona, hasn't mentioned having to put up with storms yet. You are probably talking about thunderstorms? I'm guessing? There are a few verses in the Bible that are a real encouragement when things do happen. One is that bad things happen to all of us not just people that we would consider to be bad. The other is that things do happen for a reason, sometimes it takes years to really know what he had in mind. And also that he will never allow Satan to push us further than we can bear. He really tests us, doesn't he. :)

[Lineman]

Quote from above:  "It might be a test for you, but maybe not, either, personally directed against you."

 

We need to keep in mind, too, that sometimes the problems we face are part of a "test" for someone else, like in the story of Job losing all of his kids.  Kind of a bad day for them.    But it really had nothing to do with a test for them.  Job was the one being tested. 

 

Ellen White wrote, "God ... permits us to encounter obstacles, persecution, and hardships, not as a curse, but as the greatest blessing of our lives.  Every Temptation resisted, every trial bravely borne, gives us a new experience and advances us in the work of character building."