I often wonder why we become so down on ourselves when things don’t go our way. When bad things happen to you don’t give up, its time for a new beginning. God takes bad situations and uses them to increase our understanding.

Paul’s writings in 2 Cor. 12:10, says “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake for when I am weak, then am I strong.” This in Mathew Henry’s words, “When we are weak in ourselves, then we are strong in our Lord Jesus Christ.”

I believe when we face unpleasant ordeals it awakens our soul. We seek advice from within ourselves, or from the Holy Spirit that lives within us Christians. Our acknowledgement allows us to study and analyze the possible solutions to our problems. This deep introspection bleeds over to God through His provided Comforter, the Holy Spirit. As we look for answers, God directs us in the right path for maybe not our answer but the better answer, which is His. When we resolve our dilemmas we feel relief because of the increased presence of God’s grace.

In John 16:21, an example is illustrated, “A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come; but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.” Jesus is using this example to explain to His disciples the sorrow they will feel as they mourn or grieve His crucifixion. However, the final outcome of this example is the resurrection of Jesus as compared to the birth of a child.

In London, in 1928, Alexander Flemings made a discovery that mold (growth caused by fungi), could be used to suppress certain germs. This was the first known antibiotic. So a disgusting fungal growth leads to many miraculous cures to disease.

The last time I as arrested I considered it a bad situation, painful. This led to counseling and soul searching (fellowship with God), which changed my life thus turning sadness into joy and failure into success.

Some married (and unmarried), couples even say that the intense makeup after a fight is almost worth the fight itself.

I have also heard of many people going to the hospital (doctor), with a pain only to find out they had a more severe condition not associated with the initial pain. That initial pain led to early detection of the more sever condition that could now be treated easier and with more favorable results than had it been undiagnosed until a later date.

There are other examples that illustrate bad things having good results. Jesus’ death was to save mankind from eternal death. So if you’ll look closely when bad things seem to happen, you’ll see most of the time there is light at the end of the tunnel; good is on the way. Further thought shows that without experiencing bad there can be nothing to reference good to. So make the best out of negative situation and trust God to use them to strengthen your faith and fellowship with Him.

So believe in Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection and know that you are a sinner and His sacrifice was made for you. Ask God to forgive you and allow you to receive His free gift of salvation. Don’t let the death of God’s Son be for nothing in your life. Turn this seemingly tragic event into one with a light at the end of the tunnel (heaven). God bless all.

 

Jeff Long lives in Salisbury.