Occasionally I tell people that my wife attended university on a dodgeball scholarship. Some people naively react with, “Oh, really?” Others call me on it. “Dodgeball? Seriously? When did that become a scholarship sport?”
You see, while Leisa was in primary school, her gym teacher accidentally struck her head with a dodgeball. The resulting concussion gave her long-term problems that led to a lawsuit. She eventually earned a college degree by paying for her tuition with the court settlement from her case. Oh, and she met me at the same university. Something good came out of something bad. (Okay, bring on the jokes about the injury clouding her judgment!)
We’d like to think that the bad things in life always turn to good. May I gently suggest that that’s a faulty theology? Life on this broken but beautiful planet is a complex blend of good, bad, thrilling, and mundane. Our Sovereign God can handle it all. He doesn’t “need” something bad to happen so He can do something good. He will do something good. It’s His nature!
The prophet Habakkuk observed that God was about to initiate something terrible. “Pestilence marches before him; plague follows close behind” (Habakkuk 3:5). His vision of apocalyptic devastation caused Habakkuk to ask, “Was it in anger, Lord, that you struck the rivers and parted the sea?” But then, the answer: “No, you were sending your chariots of salvation!” (Habakkuk 3:8). God would turn terror into deliverance.
Amid all the destruction, the prophet’s confident conclusion remained in the present tense: “The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as sure-footed as a deer, able to tread upon the heights” (Habakkuk 3:19). In God, we always find goodness.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Numbers 12:1-16
More:
How did Paul view his bad circumstances in Colossians 4:2-6, and what did he urge his fellow believers to do?
Next:
Can you think of anything good that has come out of the bad things that have happened to you? How does God’s goodness encourage you as you face the challenges of today?
gagirllive on February 18, 2016 at 6:31 am
Wow…concussion from a dodge ball…who knew? (Although I do recall those balls can sting pretty badly.) God orchestrated all that just to get her to you, huh? Cute story, Tim.
Well, what I know first-hand about this subject is that God himself is the good that comes out of bad. I’m not finding good (outwardly) in my current trial, but I’m certainly finding God. He has become more precious to me than ever before. I know Him better now…know real peace, joy, and hope. I am desperate everyday for His presence. He is everything to me. God is a Redeemer, and I believe that He is truly working all things FOR GOOD whether I see it or not. It’s all fitting into His plan for me. It’s a promise. (Romans 8:28) He won’t waste anything in my life. I’ve often read this portion of scripture in Habakkuk. It’s so encouraging. He is making my feet like hinds feet so that I am making spiritual progress upon my high places of adversity. That’s the real “good”. Thanks, Tim.
Tim Gustafson on February 18, 2016 at 6:52 am
Hey, you write a pretty good post yourself! Love the comment. “God himself is the good that comes out of the bad.” It’s when we become desperate for his presence that we’re starting to get it.
godlove on February 18, 2016 at 8:36 am
Thanks @gagirllive. Nice comment, I particularly like the line “I’m not finding good in my current trial, but I’m certainly finding God.” I have been there too, I have faced trials which made me draw closer to GOD and that alone is a great “good”.
Thanks for the great post Tim.
sandy229 on February 18, 2016 at 11:56 am
I really like that comment too….God himself is the good that comes out of the bad……who could possibly ask for more?
Gary Shultz on February 18, 2016 at 6:50 am
Tim, I hate to say it, but I think we need to apply Hab. 3:19 as soon as possible. We need to strengthen ourselves in the Lord and get good footing. God has always woven the tapestry of His will out of different threads. He always is the supreme, accurate, multitasker. He also has the plan, He also holds each of us and He does not make mistakes. Sorry about your daughter, but as you showed us another planned thread. Thanks Tim, stay on the heights.
Tim Gustafson on February 18, 2016 at 6:58 am
Appreciate that, Gary. I do find myself scratching my head over what God is doing, but why would He ever do anything boring and predictable? I’ve found life with Him to be an adventure!