Good Things Out Of Bad

There's been a number of stray thoughts bashing about in my mind lately. I think it started with last week's blog post on gratitude, and stepped up a gear when our Corps house group began a bible study series on the book of James that same week. James 1 contains the following quote:
 

"My friends, be glad, even if you have a lot of trouble.  You know that you learn to endure by having your faith tested.  But you must learn to endure everything, so that you will be completely mature and not lacking in anything."
James 1:2-4 (CEV)
 

And so we are back again, looking at why 'bad things happen to good people'. Which is actually the wrong way of looking at it - because we now know that stuff happens to everyone - good and bad - and it all depends on how we react. How we roll with it.
 

I've been reading up on what happens when a destructive force suddenly changes the status quo, shakes up an otherwise calm situation. Yes, first there is chaos, disruption, even death. But, then there is change. People adapt, recover. And things do get better.
 

Would anyone recommend drastic, even catastrophic solutions to a static situation? No, of course not. That sounds terrible.
 

But often this turns out to be the best thing that could have ever happened.
 

The prime factor here? An urgent need for change.
 

That has got me thinking. Because people don't like change. And therefore things rarely change unless there is an urgent need for it. Sometimes it takes something extremely drastic - even catastrophic - to get some people to change...
 

And yet, change can bring growth. James was certain that difficulties in our lives carry so much potential to bring blessing, that he encourages us to rejoice, even if we are still in the midst of troubles.
 

Now, if only we could embrace change without the need for such disruption...