WHO KNOWS WHAT’S GOOD OR WHAT’S BAD

Have you ever had something terrible happen to you, only to find out that something good came from it? There has been a few times in my life where the very thing I had hoped for actually happened, and it turned out to be the worst thing EVER!!!

About 10 or 12 years ago, Joe and I discovered an old Taoist parable about a farmer and his horse. Over the years, this saying of “who knows what’s good or what’s bad” has been repeated over and over. It brings us comfort in the worst of times, and reminds us that in the best of times, to be ever vigilant. Here is a version of the story.

A horse jumps a fence into the farmers farm. In their culture, that means the horse now belongs to the farmer. His son exclaims, “What wonderful luck! We are now rich!” The farmer looks at his son and says “Who Knows What’s Good or What’s Bad?”

One day his horse runs away. And his neighbor comes over and says, to commiserate, “I’m so sorry about your horse.” And the farmer says “Who Knows What’s Good or What’s Bad?” The neighbor is confused because this is clearly terrible. The horse is the most valuable thing he owns.

But the horse comes back the next day and he brings with him 12 feral horses. The neighbor comes back over to celebrate, “Congratulations on your great fortune!” And the farmer replies again: “Who Knows What’s Good or What’s Bad?”

And the next day the farmer’s son is taming one of the wild horses and he’s thrown and breaks his leg. The neighbor comes back over, “I’m so sorry about your son.” The farmer repeats: “Who Knows What’s Good or What’s Bad?”

Sure enough, the next day the army comes through their village and is enlisting able-bodied young men to go and fight in war, but the son is spared because of his broken leg.

I think you can see how this story can go and on forever. The only problem I have with the story, is that I may not know what is good or bad, but I know the LORD most certainly knows the answer. One of my very favorite verses in the Bible says it all. Jeremiah 29:11

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

While I may not know what is good or bad, I can find comfort in the knowledge that the Lord is with me, and he will contend for me. I am thankful that the Lord is in control, and he knows the answer!

I hope you will share this post on Facebook or Twitter. I hope this reaches someone who maybe struggling, just like me. Have a blessed day with those you love.

Have a Blessed Sunday!!!