WHY is this Happening?

Things are tough. Unexpected stress. It is beyond my control. Why?

• Because we live in a world that is sin-spoiled. We live in the consequences not only of our most ancient ancestor, Adam, but also in the consequences of billions of sinners all the way to ourselves. God's word continues to be true..."in the day you eat of it, you shall surely die." Not only physical but also spiritual death is a way of life for us earthlings. Fractured without and within. You cannot escape the consequences. In spite of certain schools of teaching that tell us that to accept Jesus ushers us into an immediate exemption from sin's consequences, the reality of life in a world that is groaning is our common lot.
• Because God is Sovereign. No circumstance of life "just happens." Though sin's consequences are inevitable, they are filtered for each of us through the sovereign hand of God. Nothing can come my way unless it is chosen for me by my personal, good, loving Father (for those of us who are His). Romans 8:28a: " And we know that God CAUSES..."
• Because God determines this particular circumstance or consequence is for my GOOD. This is Romans 8:28b: God causes "...all things to work together for good for those who love God..." God does not primarily have COMFORT in mind, but CHARACTER in mind for His dearly loved ones. And this is not 21st century American character, but the very character of Jesus Christ Himself. This is Romans 8:29: "might be conformed to the image of His Son..." My culture is all about comfort. My Creator is all about character. And He is relentless. He WILL reach His goal for me. No circumstance is wasted. Like the intentional motions of the highly skilled surgeon, every tool has its purpose, every incision it goal...healing. Healing for us from the marred image of Adam is progress towards the perfect image of Christ. It IS happening for you and me...and the incisions often hurt. But they are purposeful.
• Because I am not alone in this world. God intended that man in plurality image the Trinity in his relationships and interdependence and love. But sin turned that into exploitation and manipulation and abuse and rejection and pain. We often live and hurt because of the sin of others. We will never escape that until there is a new heaven and a new earth on which righteousness dwells.
• Because your destiny is Heaven, not the cemetery. God is preparing you for life on a new heaven on a new earth. It is not Zap, you are now like Christ. Rather, God's method is methodical...He patiently, slowly, circumstance by circumstance changes us into the image of Christ as we respond in faith and depend on Him. HE is transforming us NOW for THEN. Always this end is in view.

How can I thrive in the pain and stress:

• Acknowledge God's soverign power and plan in every circumstance. Worship Him that this very stressful time is from His hand and is good and is customized for YOUR good.
• Acknowlege your need for this same God's gracious help via the Holy Spirit.
• Cooperate with God's working in you by responding and not reacting to the circumstance or the person. Choose patience and kindness and mercy in response to difficult periods and persons. This choice, if made in dependence on the Spirit, will be aided with His power who is the very source of the character of Jesus. He will fill you with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, etc.
• Don't shoulder it all alone. Cast your burden upon the Lord, YES, but we are to share one another's burdens, as well. As many BURDENS come because of others, so COMFORT and HELP with those burdens comes through others. The church, the church, the church.

Why is this Happening? God, Me, Jesus, Heaven.