Do I Have to Have Faith that God Will Only Let Me Experience Things that Are God for Me?

Question: I used to find comfort in verses such as Matthew 6:31-33 and I had faith that everything would work out however God willed it for my betterment. Then I realized God never promised to do what was best for me (unless I am mistaken there are no verses that say such a thing).

What if God’s will is to use me as an example, a tool, martyr, etc. in a way that won’t benefit me? I understand sometimes being destitute, undergoing emotional challenges, etc. may be unpleasant but ultimately may benefit a person by adding strength of character or deepening their faith. But what if his will is for me to undergo something that is not the best for me (i.e. will not lead to strength of character etc.), but that serves his greater plan?

How do I have faith and not worry if that may be the case?

 

Answer: Paul tells us that God causes all things to work together for good for those who love Him and are called in accord with His purpose, and that His purpose for which He has predestined us is to be conformed to the image of His Son (Romans 8:28,29). This does not mean that all things that happen to us are good. Rather, He works them for good in our lives, ultimately using them to conform us to the image of Jesus.

You do not have to have faith that He will only let you experience things that are “good for you,” just faith that whatever happens to you does indeed serve His greater plan. Even if what happens to you is your death, though this does not serve to strengthen you in this life, obviously, it does result in your being conformed to the image of His Son, since death for the believer leads to instant transformation into Christlikeness (Hebrews 12:23). Hebrews 11 contains a list of “witnesses” whose faith God applauds, none of whom received what was promised by God, the promised kingdom:

Hebrews 11:35–38, [35] Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. [36] Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. [37] They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated—[38] of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. (ESV)

I think Romans 8:28,29 does teach that God has promised to do what is best for us. We may not be able to see that it is best for us, but we are indeed in His loving hands and His sovereign good purpose. I often think of the child whose parents take him to the doctor for his vaccinations. The child cannot see how it is good that his parents force him to experience pain at the hands of this doctor or nurse who pokes him with needles. He has no concept of how this could be for his good. But his parents know it is. We are like young children who are incapable of seeing how God’s hand in our lives is good or for our good. We don’t have His eternal perspective. But He insures us it is, and because we trust Him, we trust that what we cannot make sense of is still something He can make sense of.

What do you think?

 

Reply: I want to offer my sincerest gratitude; I truly appreciate you taking the time to write and help me through this question. I have found when asking questions such as these other pastors or people of the faith will either intentionally or unintentionally refuse to answer my true question. Instead, they will encourage me to have faith and know that God loves me, he won’t leave me, etc., but as you are aware that is not my question. Because of this I have struggled with questions such as this for a long time. But I think I understand this one now and I sincerely thank you for hearing what I was actually asking and responding to it.