It’s the Easter season, a season of paradox. From the worst thing that ever happened in history—the crucifixion of the Son of God on the cross, came the best thing that ever happened in history—the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead and our salvation.
Let’s face it, we live in a paradoxical universe. Often the worst things yield unanticipated and unimaginable blessings. The opposite is also true, what may seem like the best things can turn out to be curses like winning the lottery or making it in Hollywood. Although on the surface they seem like blessings, they often come with a definite, and sometimes deadly, cost.
As we muddle through the upside-down world in which we find ourselves, I’d encourage you to keep a godly perspective on all that is going on. It may feel like evil is triumphing and overcoming us. It may feel like all morals have gone out the window. It may feel like our young people are lost. It may feel like there is no hope.
But listen up:
Feelings do not equal facts.
Let me repeat that: Feelings do not equal facts.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not discounting your feelings or asking you to deny reality. Your feelings, whatever they are, are legitimate and reality, unfortunately these days is all too real. But that does not mean that God is not using it all for good. That does not mean that there aren’t a lot of other good things happening in the world. Unless evil is brought into the light, we won’t have the collective will to rise up against it and conquer.
What we are witnessing in the world may be similar to storms you may have experienced in your own life. Think back to perhaps some things that may have seemed like the worst imaginable events that could happen, or an insurmountable challenge you may have faced. How many of those setbacks and challenges may have impelled you on toward something better? A job loss that led to a better position or sent you back to school to learn a new skill or get a new start. A broken relationship that left you scarred but freed you to find someone better for you.
When bad things happen, we simply can’t see or know the better things that await us. We can’t see the future. We often go through seasons of suffering. But God knows. For God all time is one eternal now. He sees it all before Him and in His infinite wisdom He orchestrates every event for our ultimate good. He gives us, as well as the evil people out there, free will, but He’s not at all limited by it. He knows their next move even before they do. Ultimately His will does prevail, whether it’s His ordaining will or His permissive will. He’s always at least one step ahead.
Many today are prognosticating about the future…some with dire predictions and others with what may seem like cock-eyed optimism. Both can point to evidence to prove their point of view. Both can present compelling cases.
In the end, it’s what we choose to listen to, what we choose to do and how much we ultimately trust God that makes the biggest difference in our lives and whether our challenges yield blessings or curses.
Choose to trust. He’s got this.
Allison is also the Founder and President of www.CatholicTherapists.com, and CatholicLifeCoaches.com, which provide nationwide networks of screened and dedicated Catholic therapists and Catholic life coaches.
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