Recently, as I visited a woman I usually minister to, she told me she had a challenge in her left leg, that won’t let her move even the shortest distance.
She said it was diagnosed as arthritis. Then as I talked with her, we got to a point where she asked; “Why would God allow this kind of thing to come to me?” she made that statement with a great despair.
As a matter of fact, she went further to say that in spite of the fact that she has been very dedicated to God; attending every church services and programs; doing everything she knows is expected of her as a Christian; how could God allow such an ailment to come to her? She asked in pain and despair.
As she said such things to me, God immediately put a word in my mouth to instruct her. I said to her; “God allowed this to come to you, because he knows you have what it takes to handle it.” I added; “The same way he allows you to feel hungry, because he knows you have food; and the same way he allows you to get pressed in your bowels, because he knows you have toilet”.
So I told her that God allowed the health challenge she was having because he has given her enough faith to fix it.
After that instruction, I shared the word of God with her, then at the end of my message, I laid hand on the point of pain and prayed for her and left. On coming back the next few days to her, I asked her how she faired…
She replied that in spite of all the prayers– including her personal prayers, her situation had remained the same. In fact, she lamented in unbelief. As she was lamenting and saying all that, I just laughed, knowing her real challenge was unbelief.
After her talks, I shared a sermon with her and instructed her on the steps of faith she should take for her healing, then I laid my hand again on her, prayed for her and declared her healed.
And by the next few days I went to minister to her again, she had already started recovering, moving to distances she couldn’t move to before then with leaping. Then I ministered to her again, and let her know that God was already working on her and that she was recovering.
By the time I went to her a few days later, she was totally healed to the glory of God. As a matter of fact, she was so happy, asking me if it was still needful for her to share the testimony, since I could already see her very whole.
But all the same, she testified of how she had to take a step of faith as I instructed her and forced herself to church, and went along with a young girl to help her move in the church, but on stepping her feet in the church, she started walking without any aid.
And when it was time for praises, she started dancing seriously with her legs very whole…
She was totally healed by God through her faith. To God alone be all the glory…
The situation this woman found herself is what I know many Christians all over the world often find themselves in. Like the woman, as they serve God dedicatedly, and adverse situation come their way, they find themselves asking; “Why will God allow this to come to me?”
To this group of people, I want to enumerate the scriptural possible reasons why God allows adverse situations to come to the believer. Because of course, nothing can happen to a believer without God’s foreknowledge.
Why God Allow Adversities
Scripturally, these are the possible reasons why God can allow adversities to come to a believer:
- You are Able to Handle it: God allows adversities to come to believers, because he knows they already have the ability to handle the situation. And thereby, growing in that ability by exercise, through adversities, to the glory, praise and honor of his holy name—1 Corinthians 10:13; 1 Peter 1:6-7.
- Development of Patience: The bible tells us that we should count it all joy when we fall into various trials; knowing this, that the trying of our faith works patience (James 1:2-3). Hence, development of patience in us is a reason God could allow adversity in our lives sometimes.
- Disciplinary Motive: Another reason a Christian could experience adversity, may be for the purpose of divine discipline. God can allow a believer to experience adversity, in order to curtail or cut off a vice from him. This vice could be pride, impatience, materialism, e.t.c. This was the case of the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians12:7. God had to give him a thorn in the flesh so he won’t be exalted above measure.
- Chastening Motive: God can also use adverse situations, such as sickness , financial or material loss and yes, even death to chasten believers for profane or rebellious attitudes. The scriptural instance of this is what happened to the people who profaned the communion in 1Corinthians 11:29-32. And Jesus’ proposed Judgement on the prophetess in Revelation 2:20-23. But if we can always judge ourselves, God would not have to judge or chasten us.
- Proving Motive: Scripturally, it is clear that God uses adversity to prove the dedication and love of his children from time to time. Someone has said; “God offends the mind to reveal the heart”. And that is scripturally true. A perfect example of this is the case of Job. God used great adversity to prove Job’s fear, love and dedication to him (read the entire book of Job).
So God allows adversities in the lives of believers for the reasons above. And if you find yourself in any adversity, don’t be offended in God. Instead, first attack the situation by faith and prayers. But after so much prayers and exercise of faith, and the situation persists, don’t assume anything. The challenge may be for any of the above listed reasons. But Like the Apostle Paul, go to God in prayers to discern the reason for the challenge.
And as you find out the reason, you can then deal with the situation accordingly with scriptural wisdom.
Remain Blessed!
Emeke Odili
