Challenges are also Blessings

Today’s reading: Romans 8:18-25

Today’s reading has a confusing passage that I see boils down to this amazing thought: the entire world is based on God’s faith in mankind.

“for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.” (Verses 20-21)

These words are the answer to the often asked, but difficult-to-answer question. Why does God make bad things happen?

Our God is eternally clever. He gave us the world, with all of its troubles and temptations, because He has faith that we will persevere its challenges and find Him in the end. A famous inspirational saying comes to mind as I ponder this: God never gives us more than we can handle.

The next time I find myself in jeopardy at the hands of The World (in my experience, that will likely be later today), I will just remember that troubles are God’s way of encouraging me. If I didn’t have the challenges to overcome, I would have no way of knowing the power of my spirit under God.  And, while my existence would be peaceful, it would also be futile, i.e. empty.  I would not even recognize its peace.

Thanks be to God for this eternally glorious bit of wisdom that makes the world go ’round. May I learn to never complain about His challenges which are are, in fact, great blessings.