The lot is cast into the lap, but the decision is wholly of the Lord [even the events that seem accidental are really ordered by Him]. – Proverbs 16:33, Amplified Bible (AMP)

We were at a friend’s house when we received the shocking news: a mutual friend’s brother-in-law had been shot, execution style, in front of an audience. The victim was a motivational speaker, and while presenting to an audience in the Philippines, a crazed gunman arose from the crowd and ended the speaker’s life by shooting him not once, not twice, but multiple times. Our friend and his family left for the Philippines as soon as possible, hoping to offer the love of Christ to his mourning, confused kin.

When random acts of violence, debilitating illness, and other tragedies invade our lives, we automatically ask the question, “Why?” Why me? Why  him? Why now? Why did God allow this to happen? All of these questions, and more, circulate repeatedly through our minds in times of trial, and if we let them, they will drive us mad with confusion, fury, and bitterness. Rather than let the “unknown” drive us crazy, we should let the “known” drive us to peace. The “known” is that God is in control.

As Proverbs 16:33 reminds us, even the events that seem accidental are ordered by The Lord. There are many reasons why God allows the tough times, but there is only one purpose that God has for those tough times: to bring us closer to Him. John 17:3 (AMP) states:

And this is eternal life: [it means] to know (to perceive, recognize, become acquainted with, and understand) You, the only true and real God, and [likewise] to know Him, Jesus [as the] Christ (the Anointed One, the Messiah), Whom You have sent.

In other words, the main purpose of eternal life isn’t for us to escape Hell. That’s a side benefit. The main purpose of eternal life is to know our Creator in an intimate way. Rich fellowship with God is what He created us for, and everything that comes into our lives – both good and bad – is designed to drive us towards that fellowship. It’s up to us, of course, to allow life’s events to have their intended purpose. If we don’t, they will drive us to wrath instead.

The difference between peace and wrath is the difference between trust and unbelief. Do you trust God to make all things work together for good (Romans 8:28), even when you can’t see how anything good can come from the bad? Or, do you think God incapable of using the worst of life’s circumstances for our betterment? As for me and my house, we will rest on the promise of Romans 8:28, and may God helps us all to do so when the tough times come.