Question: Are my bad experiences punishments for my poor decisions or mistakes?
Rev’s Review:
I believe that often we may find ourselves in experiences that cause us to question the presence of God. It seems as though we may even be experiencing some type of punishment for something we have done in the past. However, I do not believe that God wants us to look at our “bad” experiences are designed to be punishment for a wrong choice. 1 Kings 17:17-24 give us an account of the prophet Elijah’s encounter with a widow and her son. Now, Elijah was known to be a man of God; however, he found himself in need of this widow’s help. After God had already fulfilled the promise of providing for this woman and her son, the widow’s son dies. Immediately, the widow believes that Elijah has come to “remind [her] of [her] sin”. Isn’t that how we are sometimes? As soon as something occurs that doesn’t rank at the top of our list of “favorable” experiences, we think “is this payback”.
I believe we should be encouraged by this story! This widow’s experience was not punishment but opportunity! It was an opportunity for her to KNOW that God’s word is TRUTH! It was an opportunity for Elijah to see God as a HEALER! It was an opportunity for a dead man to LIVE! What does this mean for us? I declare that our experiences are opportunities! No matter how rough it feels or how hard this season is to swallow…KNOW that God’s word is the TRUTH…see God as a HEALER…and your “dead things” will LIVE AGAIN!!!
Blessings, Pastor C
