Why were we all taught that if we follow God, we will have good things?

This belief suggests that if our God was good, then certain negative events wouldn’t have happened:

- My child wouldn’t have a disability.

- My mom wouldn’t have died.

- I wouldn’t have lost my job.

When were we all taught this?

Because as believers, if we read the Bible, we see a much different image.

I decided that 2024 would be the year I read the whole Bible cover to cover. I started in October 2023 and am only a few days behind. 😅

Each morning, as I read while the world is still asleep, I feel anxious. I’m waiting for the good news to come. But day after day, I read stories of people like you and me who don’t follow the Lord, and people like you and me who do follow the Lord, and bad things still happen to them.

But if you read enough, you’ll see several reasons why, and this is the one I hold tight to:

John 9:1–3: "It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him."

Suffering gives us a chance for God's works to be displayed in us. It shows us our weakness and our need for Him.

Without suffering, why would we need a Savior? We wouldn’t.

So, I have no idea where you are at. Maybe you’re not even a follower and you’re reading this thinking I’m crazy. Or you are a new mama to a child with disabilities. I don’t know what challenges you’ve been given, but I know my silver platter of suffering has been a lot. Too much. Too much for me to bear alone.

Friend, take your hurt to Jesus. Take your questions to Jesus. Ask Him to give you joy again. Ask Him to redeem your mess. Take your eyes off yourself and ask Him how He wants to use you and display His glory in your mess.

It’s a long process. There is so much grief, and I’ve shed way too many tears and still do. But when I do this, I feel a peace like you can’t believe.

And I pray God uses me and my mess to bless you. To show you that no matter your circumstances, you can still have joy. One moment at a time. One hot shower at a time. One cup of coffee at a time.

A throwback picture to a super hard season of life.