When Things Go WrongSample

God will often use negative situations in life in order to develop within His children a greater resolve, refinement and maturity (James 1:3; Romans 5:3-4). Whenever sovereignty allows something that is not pleasant, always remember that it is also not random. It was allowed for a reason. God always has a reason for what He does, or for what He allows. As Lamentations 3:32 tells us, “For if He causes grief, then He will have compassion according to His abundant lovingkindness” (NASB).

We can understand this passage better when we reflect on it through the lens of a parent. If you are a parent and have ever disciplined one of your children, you know that the grief caused in the method of discipline was not intended for the purpose of hurting your child. If your child was grounded from attending any fun activities due to disobedience to you, you chose that form of punishment in order to teach your child a greater lesson. This greater lesson was also sought out with the intention of it keeping your child from future harm. The discipline was necessary for the growth. And while discipline is never fun, loving parents will always follow it up with compassion.

Similarly, God does not discipline us out of a spirit of meanness or malice. His discipline of His children comes couched with compassion and the desire for us to mature to such a degree that we keep from needing further discipline in the future.