What does it mean when bad things happen?

[itsJoseph]

Since reaching out to christianity, my life has gotten better. The problem is i cant help by link every good and bad thing that happens to me, to God.

For example things are finally going great with school, grades and relationships. However, on my way to school my exhaust broke off, dragged it in to student parking, and now im stressing getting to school. Luckily spring break starts saturday, so i have some time to figure it out. One problem is the money i know this fix will cost me. I tell myself im wrong, but i cant help but to feel like this has to mean something. Why things always go bad once they go good?

Are there any bible passages to help me with these thoughts?

 

[com7fy8]

Philippians 4:10-14 > with God in His love, we can be perfectly satisfied, no matter how much we have or don't have.

2 Corinthians 12:7-15 > God's grace acts in our nature to make us strong so problems can't have power to decide how we are and how we react >

Genesis 37-50 > with God, Joseph succeeded in doing many people good, in spite of the horrible things his brothers and others did to him.

Psalm 34:19

Psalm 23:5 > right in the presence of any enemies, we can have all that our Heavenly Father desires to share with us, of His own table prepared before us.

Ephesians 1:3 > we have "every spiritual blessing" of Jesus in us > this includes how in His love we have our Creator's own creativity shared with us, making us more and more able, as we grow in His love, so we can with Him create His good for blessing and helping any and all people . . . not only getting things to work out for ourselves.

Hebrews 12:4-11 > all children of God are getting our Father's correction so we grow in this; so we do well to keep seeking His correction so we grow in succeeding, like this

 

[Greg J.]

It is good and correct to believe that God is in control of everything, but one of the things he does with that control is choose not to exercise it. The things we do have consequences defined by the way the universe works, and there is no reason God should intervene. If I were to drop a bowling ball on someone's foot, we wouldn't blame God (or gravity) if it harms his foot, we would correctly blame me! Should God have intervened?

A lot of people have been sinning for millenia. We live in a world where people do not want what God wants for them—a fallen, broken, deceived, and misguided world. It would be really strange for God to alter reality when we clearly want the expected consequences of our decisions and actions. (Otherwise why would we be doing them?)

All this sin has given evil a strong foothold in our reality.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 6:12, 1984 NIV)

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, 1984 NIV)

The way to live the most "charmed" life like people imagine is to sacrifice everything you want and be 100% devoted to the Lord and his will. It won't be a "charmed" life like people think, though. After your obedience is complete, it will be Jesus living his life through you and it will be a spiritually rich life (which can overflow into your physical life). It will be the life Jesus wants you to have and you need to trust that he knows what he is doing regardless of what pain and trouble you experience (everything he does is out of love, John 4:8, 16). We are to seek him for help.

In his earthly bodily life, he was familiar with suffering (Isaiah 53:3), taught, did miracles, was persecuted, and died for his enemies. This is a template for the life you will have when Jesus is living through you. However, everyone suffers in this life. The difference is that a devoted follower of Christ will also have Jesus' love, strength, and the peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7), which makes all the bad stuff pale in comparison (Hebrews 11:35). Yielding every area of our lives to Jesus will is what followers of Christ seek if we want Jesus to be our Lord (and we want to imitate him, 1 John 2:5-6).

To go down this road, do what is revealed in Philippians 2:1-17. It will produce the greatest life possible for you for all eternity.

 

[CrystalDragon]

Since reaching out to christianity, my life has gotten better. The problem is i cant help by link every good and bad thing that happens to me, to God.

For example things are finally going great with school, grades and relationships. However, on my way to school my exhaust broke off, dragged it in to student parking, and now im stressing getting to school. Luckily spring break starts saturday, so i have some time to figure it out. One problem is the money i know this fix will cost me. I tell myself im wrong, but i cant help but to feel like this has to mean something. Why things always go bad once they go good?

Are there any bible passages to help me with these thoughts?

Good and bad things happen to everyone. Nothing more to it. It's just life.

 

[crossnote]

Read the Book of Job and the Story of Joseph found in Genesis.
We find that trying to figure out the 'Whys' is like trying to fortunetell the future.
The best is to trust Him through thick and thin because of His stedfast love towards us.

 

[SkyWriting]

Since reaching out to christianity, my life has gotten better. The problem is i cant help by link every good and bad thing that happens to me, to God.For example things are finally going great with school, grades and relationships. However, on my way to school my exhaust broke off, dragged it in to student parking, and now im stressing getting to school. Luckily spring break starts saturday, so i have some time to figure it out. One problem is the money i know this fix will cost me. I tell myself im wrong, but i cant help but to feel like this has to mean something. Why things always go bad once they go good? Are there any bible passages to help me with these thoughts?

God already responded to each request for help that you
are going to make in the future. The Phrase "It's all Good"
means just what it says.

 

[1stcenturylady]

God sees everything that happens. The rain falls on the just and the unjust alike. The difference in those who have God when these things happen is in our level of trust, our reaction. Do we stress or do we trust. It is as simple as that. The only way our character grows is through trials. They test us and refine us. The more we trust God, the more He intervenes.

James 1:2-4 says, "2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

Remember, the only way gold is refined is through fire.

 

[CrystalDragon]

Read the Book of Job and the Story of Joseph found in Genesis.
We find that trying to figure out the 'Whys' is like trying to fortunetell the future.
The best is to trust Him through thick and thin because of His stedfast love towards us.

I'd hardly call hell "steadfast love". It's like having a gun held to your head and the would-be shooter says that they won't shoot you if you love them.

 

[1stcenturylady]

I'd hardly call hell "steadfast love". It's like having a gun held to your head and the would-be shooter says that they won't shoot you if you love them.

Explain, please. Neither Job nor Joseph went to hell.

 

[Serving Zion]

Since reaching out to christianity, my life has gotten better. The problem is i cant help by link every good and bad thing that happens to me, to God.

For example things are finally going great with school, grades and relationships. However, on my way to school my exhaust broke off, dragged it in to student parking, and now im stressing getting to school. Luckily spring break starts saturday, so i have some time to figure it out. One problem is the money i know this fix will cost me. I tell myself im wrong, but i cant help but to feel like this has to mean something. Why things always go bad once they go good?

Are there any bible passages to help me with these thoughts?

Romans 12:1 - Sometimes He uses us as His instrument, even if we do not know it. It could be even as mundane to your POV, that if someone saw your car abandoned and tried to steal it, then at that time the Police might have caught the thief.. I only guess, though He is really, really creative!

Also, 2 Corinthians 6:3-10 with Romans 3:5-3 show that these are opportunities to build up our trust in God, by praying to Him, seeking to gain His wisdom how to solve the problem, and then watching a miracle unfold that will confirm that He indeed is more capable than we are.

 

[CrystalDragon]

Explain, please. Neither Job nor Joseph went to hell.

Didn't Jesus teach about hell?

 

[1stcenturylady]

Didn't Jesus teach about hell?

Yes, so? What does that have to do with Job or Joseph? I'm having trouble finding what you are responding to.

 

[outlawState]

my exhaust broke off,

It's to do with cause and effect. What you find with cars is that every part has a limited life. If your exhaust breaks off, it means it's old and rusted and has not been replaced for a while. It's quite a minor fault as you can still drive the car without the exhaust. It doesn't really have anything to do with theology, except to remind us that Christians are in no special position when it comes to vehicle maintenance and breakage due to wear and tear. Christians are in exactly the same position as anyone else, "for there is no favouritism with God." It is certainly not a sign of God's displeasure, but perhaps a sign of our misplaced confidence in ourselves that we did not anticipate that such a thing would occur. This is wisdom, to be able to anticipate such things and avoid "blaming God" or even our own sins for them.

 

[CrystalDragon]

Yes, so? What does that have to do with Job or Joseph? I'm having trouble finding what you are responding to.

Because you said neither Job nor Joseph went to hell, as if you were indicating hell didn't exist. But why would Jesus teach about hell if hell didn't exist, unless he was speaking in metaphor or parable.

 

[itsJoseph]

@outlawState I think you are right with saying misplaced confidence. It is just painful to see that things like this always happen when i feel life is going good. I feel like the coincidence of that has to have meaning, and perhaps i misplace that blame on God. Because of my vehical having its exhaust "rigged" by the previous owner, im looking at and entire exhaust system replace every shop i went to.

I said some prayers and made a deal with God, and the next shop i went to the guy gave me an estimate over a grand. He said, though hes not allowed to weld directly to my converter, he said he could do it privately for $100 and it could buy me some time.

Unfortunately my exhaust fix was necessary because of two reasons. Cops in my area will certainly write a ticket for how loud it is, and the part where it broke off was right under my drivers side, brining carbon monoxide through my vents. Although it was relatively okay with my windows down, it certainly wasnt an ideal situation.

Anyways, my problems have been thankfully solved. Though if there is one thing I learned from this, its that maybe i shouldchill out a little bit and stop worrying so much.

Thank you all for your posts. They certainly have helped. God bless.

 

[crossnote]

I'd hardly call hell "steadfast love". It's like having a gun held to your head and the would-be shooter says that they won't shoot you if you love them.

Terrible analogy. It's more like His love is stedfast as we were already on death row but He stepped in to take our punishment (from eternal hell). He declares our pardon, but just like in the deep South many slaves wanted to stay with their old slave masters instead of go free.

Oh, and as a reminder as stated in the Purpose of this Room..."The primary focus of this forum is Christian evangelism and discipleship, not to debate Christian Theology or challenge, attack, or argue against, Christianity. If any non-Christian member would like to challenge Christianity, they may do so in the Christian Apologetics forum."

 

[CrystalDragon]

Terrible analogy. It's more like His love is stedfast as we were already on death row but He stepped in to take our punishment (from eternal hell). He declares our pardon, but just like in the deep South many slaves wanted to stay with their old slave masters instead of go free.

Oh, and as a reminder as stated in the Purpose of this Room..."The primary focus of this forum is Christian evangelism and discipleship, not to debate Christian Theology or challenge, attack, or argue against, Christianity. If any non-Christian member would like to challenge Christianity, they may do so in the Christian Apologetics forum."

Why would our punishment have to be eternal hell in the first place, rather than a purgatory-ish prison? Hell wouldn't be an option if God hadn't created it.

As for the "Purposes of This Room", apologies, I didn't know—I usually just come to threads by the New Posts and come to ones with a title that interests me and I don't always pay attention to what section they're in, sorry about that!

 

[1stcenturylady]

Because you said neither Job nor Joseph went to hell, as if you were indicating hell didn't exist. But why would Jesus teach about hell if hell didn't exist, unless he was speaking in metaphor or parable.

Hell exists. But Job and Joseph would have gone to Abraham's bosom, not hell.

 

[1stcenturylady]

Why would our punishment have to be eternal hell in the first place, rather than a purgatory-ish prison? Hell wouldn't be an option if God hadn't created it.

As for the "Purposes of This Room", apologies, I didn't know—I usually just come to threads by the New Posts and come to ones with a title that interests me and I don't always pay attention to what section they're in, sorry about that!

I think we can still have healthy discussions without being vile, so I don't mind your posts here, though I'm new and not a veteran.

I would just say to you about hell, that hell was created for Satan and his fallen angels. It was not created for man. However, if you've chosen Satan as your father and copy him in denying Christ, a person will join him there.

"Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels"

 

[crossnote]

Why would our punishment have to be eternal hell in the first place, rather than a purgatory-ish prison? Hell wouldn't be an option if God hadn't created it.

It doesn't have to be, that is the point. Perhaps you should be asking, 'why did Jesus have to take our punishment?' or 'why is God so loving that He offers eternal life as a Free Gift on account of His Son?'
Purgatory? That is a man made concept. Maybe you should ask that to those who started the concept. Purgatory is not an option in God's revealed plan.