Proverbs18:14 The human spirit can endure in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear? NIV
I was discussing with a minister about someone that slept in the Lord sometime ago. He quickly assumed that the untimely death of that person maybe a reward of past evils. I have seen how some believers are quick to judge those passing through tough times citing their sins as the reason for their challenges. That's a wrong theology. There is a false belief that only wicked people suffer or go through tough times. That theology is called "Divine Retribution". This was the opinion that Job's friends expressed when they visited him during his ordeal. They attributed his sufferings to sin but their judgement was wrong( Job4:3-4, 4:7-8, 8:20, 11:14-15,17). Truly, we saw divine retribution in the bible in the case of Sodom and Gomorrah ( Gen19:1-29). We also know that at the end of the age, God's wrath shall fall on the wicked(Rev21:8).
However, in Job’s case, we know the theology of divine retribution is not true because God said that Job was a righteous man (Job 1:8, 2:3). Job’s friends’ devastating error was to apply a generalization to Job’s situation, without knowing what they were talking about. If you are fond of passing judgement on people passing through life's challenges like Job's friends did, you need to repent. There are times righteous people suffer and face life's toughest challenges. Sometimes, things happen upside down in life and only God has an answer because he is sovereign. The foundational Apostles of old died brutally except John the beloved. Is it safe to assume they died as a result of their sins? Jesus passed through the most horrible suffering ever. He was killed like a criminal yet the bible said he was without sin( Heb4:15).
Dearest, do not allow thoughts of self condemnation fill your heart if you're passing through life's challenges. Do not listen to the agents of that old accuser who may come telling you that you're harvesting your sins. I know the devil may have preached the message of condemnation to you. If you reason with the devil, he would always win because he'll present to you facts on why you deserve to remain in that challenge. You may burst into tears asking God what you've done wron. When you get to that point, he has succeeded in making you see God in a bad light. Let it settle deep in your heart that you're loved by God and that he has your best interest at heart. Live a life of worship and let your faith be rooted in his word not in your feelings. How you feel sometimes may not be a true reflection of God's mind.
Father, I thank you because you have my best interest at heart. I may not see what you're doing but I know that what I'm going through shall work together for my good in Jesus name.