Random Circumstances Are Not Random

Sometimes life can be annoying. It’s not that we are facing some major trial or anything. It’s just that things aren’t going our way. The weather isn’t cooperating with our plans; someone says something hurtful to us; we have to do something we just didn’t want to do; sickness comes at the worst possible time… these kinds of things can be so frustrating!

And, the truth of the matter is: We show our character by how we respond.

Each one of these little, seemingly insignificant, events are not random things that have happened but are allowed by God very specifically, giving us the opportunity to practice a right response as His growing child. Each one gives us the opportunity to practice surrendering our will to God’s; to respond with joy rather than a complaining heart; to trust that God will work all things out for His glory and our good.

We also get many other opportunities to grow in these “unimportant” happenings that we experience each and every day. Opportunities to practice humility and patience and rejoicing and forgiving others; to learn to be diligent rather than lazy; to choose not be so offended all the time; to love our enemies; to turn from envy and choose contentment. God uses the random circumstances of our lives to shape and mold us into His image. They aren’t random at all.

Have you noticed that we tend to have our default response to these “little” events in our lives and very rarely examine our responses?

But how we respond to these little things prepare us for how we will respond in the big ones. Oswald Chambers puts this so succinctly—

The very character we exhibit in our present surroundings is an indication of what we will be like in other surroundings.

If we are proud now in the little things, then pride will be our response when it really counts and can potentially destroy a relationship. But if we learn to be humble now, then that will be our response when the cost of a prideful response is so terribly high.

Or another example: If we can train ourselves, by the Holy Spirit, not to complain in the little things, then as we age and life becomes filled with aches and pains and unexpected challenges, we will have already learned to respond correctly. We will have learned that complaining doesn’t help a thing but that it will turn us into grumpy old men and women that no one wants to be around.

God has allowed all things in our lives for a purpose. We are reminded of this in these well-known verses—

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. (Romans 8:28-29)

Let’s remember some important facts that we find in these verses. First, this promise is only to those who love God. This is for the redeemed child of God and not for the unredeemed. We cannot assure that unsaved friend that God is working all things out for their good because God never promises that in His Word.

Second, we know from these verses that God’s ultimate goal for us is that we be conformed to the image of His Son. This being the case then gives us insight into why certain things are allowed. Notice that God’s goal for His children is not ease of life or popularity or good health or lots of money. No, it’s one thing: To be like Christ. Every single thing that comes into our lives gives us an opportunity to respond like Christ or to respond in the flesh. Each little thing gives us a choice. If we look at it from this perspective, then every random circumstance takes on more significance, doesn’t it?

Oh to remember that each little thing is ordained by God and, as such, has a purpose. We are (at least I am) simply too quick to complain and to wonder “why me” and to rebel against what God has allowed, instead of remembering the above verses and God’s eternal purpose for me.

But we can change. We can learn to respond as scripture encourages. We can—and we should—be growing in the fruits of the Spirit.

As we respond to each seemingly random happening, we are given the wonderful opportunity to grow in love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, and faith (Galatians 5:22-23).

But a key to growth is to leave our status quo, default responses and to really think about what we are doing. No easy task in a world where life is busy and distractions come at us 24/7.

Maybe a first step for us all is to put down our phones, turn off our tvs or music, and just really give ourselves time to reflect, study scripture, and pray. If don’t give ourselves time to do this, then right response is unlikely, for we have nothing to draw from.

So may we all remember today that the random event that is causing us so much frustration or discontentment is not random at all but given to us by our loving Heavenly Father who desires that we be conformed to the Image of His Son.