Why Does Bad Stuff Happen To Us?

Sometimes it’s a mystery why bad things happen in the world.

I woke up this morning, already planning to write this story, and have been glued to the news coverage of the earthquakes and tsunami in Japan overnight.  

Watching the debris and devastation as the death toll rises, it does make you wonder, why?

Debra Evans, the author of “But for God…Through Broken Windowpanes” (Living in Faith Books, September 17, 2010, 978-0615398112) points us to the Bible, Romans 8:28:

“And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (NIV)

When your home has been destroyed, your possessions swept away, a loved one lost forever, your marriage destroyed by unfaithfulness, your life destroyed by addiction, or any of the other dark things that happen to us, it’s not always easy to see your fairytale ending.

Evans assures us, it’s there. It just doesn’t look like what we think it will look like.

A speaker and minister, Evans travels the world speaking about hitting the depths of despair and darkness in her life, and how she found the answer to lift her out, and it was God. God had a plan for her.

Evans grew up in a home full of turmoil. Her parents were very young when they had her. Her father left early and her mother “checked out,” as she describes. As a child, she was abused by her grandmother and her mother. She was left with a feeling of inadequacy and that she could never get enough praise or accolades, always hoping, like any little girl, for a fairytale ending.

Her journey to that ending certainly doesn’t look like a princess’s story. The quest for God’s love can take us on a twisted path where you cannot see the destination. But He knows what’s best.

Her path after childhood included many twists – the broken engagement that promised a “perfect” life, the deceptive husband who threatened her life, abused her and eventually went to prison, a still-born son who miraculously revived and who was left with learning challenges, the divorce she bravely faced, and the challenges of single motherhood. But for God – He showed her the long path to happiness and fulfillment that she may not have full appreciated without those challenges.

She says one of the most important things we can do for ourselves is take emotional responsibility for ourselves. We can’t blame our parents, that abusive husband, the unpleasant life circumstances.  We can’t heal from things we don’t acknowledge.

And now, she can look back on the years of abuse and emotional abandonment and understand when people come to her and ask for help. Without those life experiences, her understanding as a counselor and minster might be diminished.  She can look with compassion at people who are living through these challenges. She knows their frustrations and can give them hope because she has lived this.

Her message is that God meets our needs, no matter how hard it is for us to see this. He is big enough to embrace us, even when we don’t think we are worthy of help. He will give you the happy ending if you believe and see the worth of your journey, no matter what it looks like.

As it says in Isaiah 26:3, “You, Lord, give true peace to those who depend on you, because they trust you.” (NCV).

Please read more about Evans’ amazing life journey and about her ministry with her husband Rick at www.livinginfaith.com and www.butforgod.com.