One of my back teeth broke off recently over a weekend (of course) and while I was out of town (double of course), reinforcing the notion that those reoccurring nightmares I’ve always had about this exact scenario mean that I am really just a prophet without honor in her own country. So, since I operate in the prophetic now, I’m going to peer into your future and shed some light on events that have yet to occur… At some point in your life, between now and the day you die, something bad is going to happen. Boom. Ready yourself.
I’m always curious, maybe you can tell me… when all hell breaks loose, why do people comfort themselves with Hallmark card sentiments? Do they find it cathartic and soothing to think that “everything happens for a reason”? Saying that everything happens for a reason is a cathartic technique that negates any personal responsibility and plops all the crap of the world squarely into God’s lap, or the universe, if that’s your thing. Oh, your house burned down? Everything happens for a reason! Oh, your mom has a terminal illness? Everything happens for a reason! Your husband/wife cheated on you? Everything happens for a reason!
(side note: Even people who don’t believe in God say this, which mystifies me. What “reason” would any inanimate object or non-entity that doesn’t exist have to inflict suffering? The two ideas cancel each other out. The notion of suffering having a source implies the existence of God or least a higher power… but I digress.)
Does EVERYTHING happen for a reason? EVERYTHING? Think about that for a minute – just how bad that can be… Maybe everything does happen for a reason, but be honest – sometimes that reason is because we are stupid and we make bad decisions. Sometimes that reason is because bad decisions are made for us. Sometimes that reason is because there are ignorant, evil or crazy people who do ignorant, evil and crazy things to innocent other people. Sometimes that reason is because we have an enemy, “the devil who prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8) So, sure everything probably does happen for a reason, even if you find that reason hard to accept.
That being said, it is absolutely not a Biblical sentiment to presume that you will always be able to trace the source of every bad thing that happens to you or the ones you love. But you know what is a Biblical sentiment? “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation 21:4) And, “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18) And, “You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.” (Psalm 56:8)
God is GOOD. When bad things happen God is still good. That doesn’t change. Yet, we blame God or talk about how God uses “suffering” to teach us things. Why do we say that? Because we are in pain and He could have stopped it and didn’t. WHY?! That answer is both easy to give and difficult to receive: SIN. Sin gives Satan *legal* access to the world and its inhabitants and as Christians, while we live here, we are often subjected to its ravages and effects. Maybe you’re not the one who sinned, but Satan has the legal right via sin and darkness to influence someone else to sin against you, so you are affected by that. Could God have stopped it? Yes. And He did through His Son, Jesus, but not everyone accepts or acknowledges or submits to Jesus Christ- and so here we are.
Jesus Christ, arguably a better prophet than Alicia, said this in John 16:33, “I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But be of good cheer. I have overcome the world.” Peter wrote this, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though some strange thing happened to you. But rejoice insofar as you share in Christ’s sufferings, so that you may rejoice and be glad also in the revelation of His glory.” (1 Peter 4:12-13) Welcome to life. This is exactly why we need Jesus Christ. He helps us through it all, never lets go, comforts, sustains, provides, fights, prays and sticks “closer than a brother”. You are not alone if you walk with Him because He’ll walk with you through fire and you won’t get burned.
So, I’m going to leave you with one last prophecy and you can take this one to the bank: Expect the unexpected.
