Coping with Evil

Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD , I will be joyful in God my Savior (Habakkuk 3:17,18).

The book of the prophet Habakkuk begins with his distress over what he perceives as God's inaction over the violence and injustice of his day. He concludes by expressing himself, not in philosophical terms, but through a song of praise.

There are many methods that people have devised to try to help us cope with the difficult, unchangeable circumstances of life. Some of these are derived from Scripture. Others stem from other religious or philosophical world views. Some of these methods are helpful and appropriate in some situations. Before we look at how Habakkuk resolves his distress over the evil around him, let's look at some of the common methods we use.

One method is to look at the bright side. This method encourages us to find and focus on the good things that are happening in our lives presently. There may be bad and painful issues in our lives, but we assume that there must also be good ones. We are told that if we concentrate on these good things, then we will have what it takes to make it through the bad ones.

Another method is to find the positive effects of bad situations. Hardship builds character, for example. Knowing the positive benefits of otherwise bad situations is supposed to encourage us.

Another method is to remind ourselves that things could always be worse. Somehow by imagining greater disasters than the ones we are currently experiencing, thankfulness will begin to bubble over in our hearts.

Still another way is to pretend these problems are not there. For some this method is based on a strong religious or philosophical belief that negative things are simply a state of mind or an illusion. For others, denying the existence of evil may not be a conscience act. But since they find it too difficult to deal with the evil in the world, they live as if it doesn't exist, or they try to forget about it through various activities or tactics.

At first glance one may think that Habakkuk utilizes some of these kinds of methods to help him cope, but not really. He is certainly not denying the negative reality he is facing – "Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines," he says. He hasn't discovered a bright side, for the situation is truly desperate and discouraging with no good things to focus on. He makes no comment on any positive benefits to the current crisis. I think he does consider that things could get worse, but that's not a source of encouragement to him.

The way Habakkuk resolves his crisis is to realize that there is more to the situation than the circumstances around him. The negative situation is very real, but so is the unseen reality. The presence of evil is not the whole story. Once he takes God into account, there is hope.

This may sound much like "looking at the bright side," but it is more than that. He is not finding good in the circumstances. On the contrary. Apart from the circumstances, he hopes in God.

Note that this is not an expression of blind faith or an impersonal religious expression. Habakkuk personally knows God as his Savior. While the current situation is far from preferable, because he truly knows God, he has reason to turn from his distress and be confident in a better future.