God will prevail!

What has been an interesting topic of discussion among my theology class, has recently made me wrestle with whether God creates a world of evil or whether evil crept its way into existence.  I am no theologian or anything, but the question of evil persists to bring its head up in theological topics. 
My goal in this blog is not to go into great depth of what the specifics of theodicy (the problem of evil) or the like, but to ask the question from the perspective of a layperson.  What do we say to those who are going through hard times?

Many of us like to think that if we tell someone "God is in control" that it will then make all things better for that person.  I, however, have come to see differently.  If we say that "God is in control", then God made that event happen to make that person suffer.  If you do not agree with me on this and say that God is still in control because He can take that situation and use it for good.  It's almost like saying then that God messed up and feel obligated to fix the problem. 

I do believe that God will fix the problem, but not by taking control of a situation, but by providing grace in a time of suffering and hardship.

Grace is a powerful gift that God grants to humanity by allowing His creatures to choose Him.  I understand grace from a free will perspective by participating in the invitation of God's grace.  But, is not that the hardest thing to do or even see?  That may be why we are so used to saying "God is in control," because if grace is to work than God must be in control.  However, saying that "God will prevail" may be a better explanation for how God responds.

No matter what situation we may deal with in our lives, we can trust that God will work with us when we suffer.  Many of us may be dealing with a loss of a family member, or a situation that may seem so hard to see God in. 

When we understand that God will prevail, God does not become something that takes control and moves us around as puppets, but we become the very image of grace that God provides.

Here are just a few ways to express how God may prevail in your life.
1. Understand who you are.  We are finite creatures who are made from the very ground that we walk on.  But, our very small and tiny beings mean so much to the God of the universe who created us to have a relationship with.

2. Be a walking light.  Having a relationship with God is one thing that is an important part of our Christian life.  When Moses was in the very presence of God his face glowed (Exodus 34:29-35).  If we may understand that God wants to be with us and prevail with us under the most extreme circumstances, people around us will see how we respond to God with trust and faith.  We may not actually walk around with a glowing light, but people will see and ask us how we are making it through.  It is all because God will prevail.

3. Understanding God's plan.  God has a purpose for our world.  We are moving to a coming kingdom, in fact, a kingdom already here!  Trust that God has a purpose for our lives.  Our lives are not meaningless, but we will be wrapped in the loving arms of God and will be with Him.