How Grace Believers Should Respond to "Things that Happen"

       How Grace Believers Should Respond to "Things that Happen?"  Good and bad things happen to all people whether saved or lost.  Most believers have no problem dealing with the good things that happen in life, but what about the bad things?  As grace believers that rightly divide and claim Paul as the pattern for this age of grace, then Paul's writings should be consulted in regards to this question.  The answer is not hard to find, but living out the answer in our daily lives is another story.

     The answer to the question, "How Grace Believers Should Respond to Things that Happen," is found in Philippians 1:12.  It states:

"But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;"

As grace believers we should use the things that happen to us to further the gospel if possible.  If you have to deal with the mechanic fixing your broken down vehicle, then try to find a way to share the gospel.  If you find yourself at the doctor's office or hospital give the gospel if the opportunity arises.   If you find yourself at the funeral home visiting a bereaved family, then try to give the gospel to somebody.  If you are recognized at work for a job well done, try to figure out some way to publicly give God the glory and witness for Him.  

     Remember that Paul's ministry was not just one of teaching doctrine rightly divided, but it was also one of practically living out that doctrine on a daily basis.