Finding Hope: Understanding Bad Things Happening to God's Good People

1. Why do bad things happen to God’s good people?

2. Why do bad things happen to God’s good people? In the Word … focusing on: • how we can smile through suffering (1 Peter 1:1-12) • Joseph – when life turns pear-shaped (Genesis 39) • Joseph – from down and out to up and out (Genesis 40) • a soft pillow for a tired and troubled heart (Romans 8:28)

3. Why do bad things happen to God’s good people? How we can smile through suffering …1 Peter 1:1-12

4. Why do bad things happen to God’s good people? How we can smile through suffering … • Peter and his calling • Peter and his role • Peter and his denial • Peter and his leadership

5. Why do bad things happen to God’s good people? How we can smile through suffering … • we have a living hope (3) • we have a permanent inheritance (4) • we have divine protection (5) • we have a developing faith (6-7) • we have an unseen Saviour (8) • we have a guaranteed deliverance (9)

6. Why do bad things happen to God’s good people? How we can smile through suffering … • they didn’t see God’s full plan (10-12) • they didn’t have the Spirit as we do • failure in the past does not nullify purpose in the future • a broken heart is great preparation for healing fractured lives • a penned letter is worth more than a thousand unexpressed thoughts

7. Why do bad things happen to God’s good people? Joseph – when life turns pear-shaped …Genesis 39

8. Why do bad things happen to God’s good people? When life turns pear-shaped … • being in the centre of God’s will may take us into the eye of the storm • the Lord was ‘with’ Joseph and ‘he prospered’ (2) • God ‘blessed’ …‘because of …’(5) • Joseph was a good-looking guy (6) • the bombshell from Mrs P (7) • Joseph ‘refused’ all her advances (8)

9. Why do bad things happen to God’s good people? When life turns pear-shaped … • he would break his master’s trust • he would blacken his own character • he would wreck his own fellowship with God (8-9) • Mrs P grabs his coat … and Joseph is put in prison (12-20) • God rules and overrules in all the circumstances of life

10. Why do bad things happen to God’s good people? When life turns pear-shaped … • an escape route (1 Corinthians 10:13) • we must deal with it immediately • we must deal with it realistically • we must deal with it ruthlessly • we must deal with it consistently • we must deal with it confidently

11. Why do bad things happen to God’s good people? When life turns pear-shaped … • do not be weakened by your situation • do not be deceived by the enemy • do not be gentle with your emotions • do not be confused with the outcome • the dream lives on …‘while Joseph was there in the prison, the Lord was with him … gave him success’ (21-23)

12. Why do bad things happen to God’s good people? Joseph – from down and out to up and out …Genesis 40

13. Why do bad things happen to God’s good people? From down and out to up and out … • his relationship with God • his relationship to circumstances • his relationship to others • he had to die to his family • he had to die to his reputation • he had to die to his friends

14. Why do bad things happen to God’s good people? From down and out to up and out … 3 not so good responses to it all: • we feel really sorry for ourselves • we become bitter • we determine to get our own back 3 cues to best deal with mistreatment: • it’s always good to re-evaluate • we should refuse to retaliate • it’s an opportunity to refocus

15. Why do bad things happen to God’s good people? A soft pillow for a tired and troubled heart …Romans 8:28

16. Why do bad things happen to God’s good people? A soft pillow for a tired heart … • here’s a promise we need to claim and build our lives upon • this is God’s bright idea, not ours • God isn’t selective in what he uses for he takes ‘all things’ to fashion us • God will not permit anything to enter our lives that will be to our detriment

17. Why do bad things happen to God’s good people?