I cannot tell you how many times I have heard a client say, “God allowed me to experience that painful trauma so that I could learn ___________.” The implication is that God used evil to teach them a lesson—to be strong, to be self-reliant, to be humble. I see this as an adulteration of God’s true character. Our limited perspective is clouded by darkened minds which cannot begin to comprehend God’s goodness, grace and mercy.
The Bible describes God as compassionate, good, faithful, holy, patient, wise, generous, all-powerful, loving, just, true, all-knowing, eternal, gracious, merciful and faithful. So how could we possibly accuse Him of using something evil against us? Perhaps because that seems like the only “reasonable” explanation. But God is not reasonable.
Could He have kept the traumatic experiences from happening. Yes. So, why didn’t He? My personal experience says because He saw the bigger picture. He did not let me die when I could have died. His words to me were “Even so…while painful and frightening, the things which happened to you did not change my plans for your life. I was with you every moment. Lean on Me. Trust in Me. You are My Beloved.”
I do not have the answers to the “WHY?” questions, but I do know where He was when I was being hurt. He was with me. I didn’t know it at the time, but He was there. Ask Him this question for yourself, “Where were you Lord, in the midst of my pain?”
Blessings,
Annette
Looking with New Eyes 