I'm sure you've heard the flippant response, "Stuff happens," many times. "Stuff" does happen. Such is the world in which we live.

Lots of “stuff” happened to Habakkuk. His very name means “to wrestle.” Habakkuk wrestled with many of the same questions we do today, wondering, “If God is so good, why does bad stuff happen?” The world says, "If your God was so good to you, your life wouldn't be so hard."

But my God IS good to me and all suffering (in my life and in yours) has a purpose. Contrary to the popular "feel good" messages thrown at us by some well known church leaders today, "stuff happens" to us as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ as well.  We were never promised an easy road through this life. Jesus suffered many things for us, so what makes us think we shouldn't suffer any hardship? In fact, the Bible says suffering is a necessary part of the Christian life. Philippians 1:29 says, "For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake..." (See also Rom 8:17, 1 Cor 10:13, 2 Cor 1:6).

God isn't sitting up there on His throne thinking, "Hmm.. what can I do to upset Ann-Louise today? What else can I throw in Ann-Louise's path to trip her up?" Whatever I go through in this life, whatever you go through, it all has a purpose and is designed and/or allowed by a loving God for a specific purpose – for me and for you.

We have quoted it many times and shared it with others many times, but have we fully appreciated and grasped the meaning of Romans 8:28?

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

What does that verse mean, exactly? Does it mean God has promised to make things easy all the time? Does it mean we’ll have what WE think is good and best for us? Does it really mean that every cloud has a silver lining?

Working things together for good doesn’t necessarily mean making them better in our way of thinking. Sometimes, God uses our suffering itself for our good. For example, if we never suffered, how would we learn to trust? If we never had to wait for an answer how would we learn patience? If we never knew turmoil, how would we know peace? If we never suffered rejection, how would we know true love and acceptance?

Hebrews 4:15 tells us that Jesus has experienced the same things we have and felt the same things we have. He knew what it was to be lonely. He knew hardship and rejection. He knew pain and suffering. How did Jesus respond to difficulties? Did He become angry with God or depressed and feeling sorry for Himself? No, Jesus experienced all that we do, yet without sin. That means He never once wavered in His trust in the Father and never once felt sorry for Himself. Why? Because He knew God has a plan, a purpose and a promise. You and I know that God has a plan, a purpose and a promise. He has made many promises to us. He has promised to never leave us, to supply all our needs and to always love us. Check out some of the wonderful promises He has made to you in His Word.

In the midst of a trial, a loss or hardship, we can’t always see God’s purposes at work. We are so blindsided by what has happened to us, we don’t try to look up and over the obstacle to see God and what He is doing. Habakkuk couldn’t see God at work either. God gave Habakkuk a seemingly simple answer, yet one that has confounded generations ever since. God declares, “..but the just shall live by his faith.”  Even when we can’t see God at work on our behalf, we must respond as God requires – by faith.

At the end of Habakkuk, the prophet finally began to see there was a larger plan at work, brought about by a loving and righteous God who would make things right in His way and His time. He realized the life changing truth that, despite circumstances, faith causes us to rejoice and rejoicing builds our faith. It was then that he was able to declare from this heart filled with faith..

 
“Although the fig tree shall not blossom,
 neither shall fruit be in the vines;
the labour of the olive shall fail,
and the fields shall yield no meat;
the flock shall be cut off from the fold,
and there shall be no herd in the stalls: 

Yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will joy in the God of my salvation.”
(Hab. 3:17-18)


To paraphrase, we might say,

“Even if stuff happens,
Even if things get really bad,
Even if the bills are piling up,
Even if my health deteriorates,
Even if.. (you fill in the blank)..

Yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will joy in the God of my salvation.”

 
“Stuff happens” and most of us are facing some difficulty in our lives. Let’s choose to go forward in faith, rejoice together and joy in the God of our salvation.

Remember: “Stuff happens,” but faith causes us to rejoice and rejoicing builds our faith.