When bad happens, we ask questions.  The questions are always difficult.  The questions often begin with the word “Why…” and end with a question mark of unbelief.  This can’t be happening.  To me.  Now.  Please.  God.  Please.  Why?  Sometimes the questions are shouted in anger.  Sometimes the questions are barely audible through the sobs of grief.

“Bad” happens to everyone.  “Bad” makes no sense.  “Bad” can’t be explained, with human reason.  But, “bad” can be explained, if we look to God’s Word.  When we ask questions beginning with “Why…” it seems that we are actually asking two very fundamental questions.

Who is God?

Who am I?

As we think about the situation, and ask why, all of our questions can be distilled to these two inquiries.  “Who is God?”  can be restated as questions about God.   “Is God real?”  “Is God rational?”  “Is God in charge?”  “Is God fair?”  “Is God in control?”  Bad situations make us question our understanding about God, indeed, our very definition of God.  Similarly, “Who am I?” is a question that we try to answer, in favorable ways.  Often these are statements like “I’m OK” or “I’m not a bad person.” Sometimes we compare ourselves to others, and say “I am more moral than so-and-so.”  As we consider our personal journey with God, we might even answer “I am religious” or “I go to church” or “I’m a believer.”  Implicit in these statements is a belief that because of our self-assessment of personal worth, we don’t see “why” bad occurs.

 
These questions matter the most to us, and as we face the trials of our lives, we seek these answers.  We try to answer, but sometimes the answers don’t make sense.   In our answers, we might change who God is, in our mind, and we reinforce who we are, at least in our own eyes.  These answers can be frightening.  Without certain clarity, our lives spiral in ever widening paths of worry.  Is God not actually in control?  If not, what’s next?  Where am I going?  How will I get there?  Do I have to try even harder?   The “bad” darkens our path, and we begin to stumble, catching ourselves as best we can.

In the darkness, we have but one light.  The Bible.  God’s Word is truly a lamp for our path.  As we read the Bible, we see many examples of difficulty and utter despair.  But, as we read of these situations, we see that the Bible shares two desired outcomes for “bad.”  These are God’s restoration and His renewal.  If we but open the Bible, and read any of the stories of “bad,” we see God’s desires clearly.

Restoration is when “bad” situations bring back God’s people to a state of sanctified holiness.  Restoration answers the question “Who is God?” in a word.  God is the restorer! God wants to restore us, from our fallen state to a state of grace.  God wants to restore us, from a place of anguish to a position of acceptance.  God wants to restore us, from a place apart from God to a place of tender love and care.  There, and only there, can we rest.

Renewal is when “bad” circumstances give new life to our existing relationship with God, nurturing it with stronger faith.  Renewal answers the question “Who am I?”  I am the renewed. God, in His mercy, renews us in ways we cannot understand, for reasons often hidden in His all-knowing love.  God truly makes all things new, in His time, and ultimately, we look forward to a new heaven and a new earth.  Here, we are certain, that “bad” will never be.

The question “Why…?” could also be the wrong question for difficult situations.  Instead of “Why…?” we should ask “How…?”

How am I growing closer to God in this circumstance?

How is God glorified by my telling of His actions in this situation?

When we focus on the reason, asking “why..,” we blind ourselves to the desired result, which comes only from answering “how…”

How am I growing closer to God?  In “bad,” we call on God, frequently, and beg “Help me.”  “Be with me.”  “Be my rock.”  “Be my redeemer.”  By concentrating on the relationship, we move from uncertainty to unwavering.  In our conversations with God, we move from formality to friend.

How is God glorified?  As we share with others, openly, we highlight our concerns and our fears.  But, as we share our faith, regardless of the situation, others marvel.  They don’t marvel at us.  They marvel at our God.  They wonder how in the world, in the midst of such a trial, we trust.  In whom do we trust?  We trust in the magnificent and majestic, yet we trust Him as a Father.  In our trust, we give God glory for who He is, and for His love for us.

Of course, “bad” is not welcome in our lives.  The specific meaning of any bad situation may never be understood.  Truly, terrible trials are faced by people, often beyond what we think we can bear.  But, in faith, we rise from our knees, wiping away tears, certain of a new outcome.  In faith, we shout, not in anger, but in joyful power.  “God, my God, restores me and renews me.”  In that moment, we are able to share with others “Let me tell the story, the story of God in my life.  Now.  In the “bad.”  He lives in me.  He overcomes, giving me strength far beyond my own.  He restores me.  He renews me.”

Let Him restore and renew you.  Even now.  And give Him the glory.  For in His glory, He will draw all to Himself, with perfect love.