what did I do to deserve this?

‘What did I do to deserve this?’ is a popular question that many people, especially those in hard situations or with difficult lives ask. A common question of
'why' 'why me' ‘why my family'.
What if we stopped asking 'why me', 'what did I do', and rather embrace the situation? Embrace the fact that you've seen death, seen poverty, experienced pain, felt despair, felt hopeless. Embrace this life you've been given and step forward with confidence in God?

It’s an opportunity to see life as though it is a challenge. A chance to prove to the devil that he holds nothing over you. A chance to daily conquer the nagging question of 'why' and replacing it with a thought or word of thank you.

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus
-1st Thessalonians 5:18

It’s not a matter of what you did to deserve your life. Quite frankly, you don’t deserve anything. The good, the mediocre, the ugly. God is blessing you with another breathe this second. Oh look, another one. He could easily take it away. This God, who intricately created the world and you, isn’t out to get you. He created, planned for you to be born with purpose, He is a God who loves you more than you could ever fathom.

For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.
-Jeremiah 29:11

Often what you see as completely stupid, pointless and painful turns out to be simply amazing. God has a way of working in his perfect timing. And the basic foundations of life; trust and faith come in here. But also, often we don’t see the purpose, the reason of why things happen in our lives. We get mad, turn and get unfaithful and ungrateful.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
-Romans 8.28

How you see your situation all depends on your human brain and since its human, its limited perception. We need to see our lives not as if we are being reprimanded or dealt a bad hand by chance. Your life is not happening by chance, but being divinely orchestrated by God.

We need to see ourselves as the called beings we are.
Called to love
Called to serve
Called to bless
Called by God

Whatever ‘this’ you don’t think you deserve, you need to recognize its part of a bigger picture. A bigger picture of God to extending grace and expressing His love through you and in you.

I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.
- Ephesians 4:1