Lately, I’ve seen many people dealing with challenging circumstances, quite a few of which have worsened in recent months. Whether someone’s pain is related to financial health, physical health, mental health, consequences of someone’s actions, grief or loss, or something else, the emotions are very real.
When life throws you a curveball, how do you respond?
Undoubtedly, we’ve all wondered why bad things happen to good people. I covered much of this in my book, based on my own experiential understanding of pain. But it has been a while since I talked about it here. Each of us handles pain a little differently, although there are probably some broad similarities, too.
The world sees pain as proof that God doesn’t exist. “If God really loved me, why we would He let that happen?” The devil uses pain to make us believe that God doesn’t care, that He has abandoned us. He twists God’s character and lies to us, sometimes leading us toward a sinful response when we mistrust God.
Yet, pain is a tool God uses to get our attention and to teach us. As C.S. Lewis wrote, “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pain: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” from The Problem of Pain, chapter 6
In reality, it’s good for our faith to be tested sometimes. We find out who or what we’ve been relying on. Anything less than Jesus is going to fail. Let Him refine you.
We have small tests of faith daily. If I sit in a chair, there’s a fleeting moment that I have to trust it to hold me! We trust total strangers, such as airplane pilots, firefighters, and even garbagemen, to do their jobs and come through for us. But, we can struggle to trust God, who created us and loves us so much.
It is much easier for me these days to trust God because I have put Him to the test. But, that doesn’t mean I never face another challenge. I will face trials as long as I am here on this lovely planet. Jesus reminded us of that, but He also reminded us He is always with us. That’s a promise!
Pain and trials are often linked. We may not understand the purpose until much later. Nonetheless, I heard an interesting perspective this week that I am still thinking about: It may feel like God is picking on us, but really, He is picking us. There is a big difference!
We see this in full force when reading the book of Job and other books of the Bible. God had a special purpose for Job and his pain. It brought Him glory in the end. And, God ended up blessing him with much more than he had before. God’s blessing is not always financial, and I am happy to let Him choose what is best!
Ultimately, we can see pain as an opportunity to grow and reflect God’s character. So, instead of grumbling and complaining, we can choose to draw close and worship Him. We are more than conquerors in Jesus!
Through trials, we see and learn new things about ourselves and God. It takes maturity to see God’s goodness in the pain. Yet, we cannot always have only goodness – that’s not real life! As we lean on God, we remember He is Supreme and reigns over ALL, the good and the bad.
“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” Romans 8:28
“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV)
We can trust God and lean on Him as our Heavenly Father. His joy is your strength! He is faithful and true. He will never let us down!
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Father God, thanks for being with us in our pain and trials. Help us see your purposes in our pain. Help us trust You more and bring You glory. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
Questions: What is your gut reaction to pain and trials? Is it fear and worry, or prayer and praise?
Tasks: When painful trials come, dig in deep. Draw close to God through prayer, worship, and reading His word. Trust Him to come through for you!
