Pain
During the last two weeks, I have been struggling with the subject ‘Pain’. These two weeks have brought frustration, anger, depression and an unthankful spirit. The usual questions crop up. Why? Why me? Is God trying to teach me something? But God has thought me through the life of Paul, Job and Jesus that it is not the cause of pain (What have I done wrong to deserve this? Why is God doing this?) that matters but our response toward the trial we face. Are we still going to have childlike faith and trust God whole-heartedly or are we going to question the character of God? Are we going to question the fact that God is love and that he wants the best for us? When Job questioned God concerning the cause for his pain, Job was answered with a challenge from God (Job 38-41). Instead of answering Job’s questions about unfairness and suffering, God replied with a very unexpected answer. A summary of the chapters would be “Until you know a little more about running the physical universe, don’t tell me how to run the moral universe”. Conclusion: God is interested in our response to suffering. Will we still hold on to him in times of suffering?
Paul and Peter wrote in their letters to be joyful in trials and times of testing, that faith/character may be formed. Paul also wrote that God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness. But what I have found to be encouraging is that we can look forward to the end result of these times. God can transform all the pain into something good. I do not believe we should stop fighting suffering and be complacent with a fatalistic attitude. But we should instead be joyful not in the suffering but in what the suffering can be transformed into by the amazing grace of God. The perfect example would be how God transform the death of his son, Jesus into victory and redemption for us all. I have learned that God’s grace is sufficient to bring us through our problems and weaknesses. God will never let any temptation or trial hit us that we cannot handle.
Well, it really has been a struggle and I am really looking forward to the blessing God has in store.
Paul and Peter wrote in their letters to be joyful in trials and times of testing, that faith/character may be formed. Paul also wrote that God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness. But what I have found to be encouraging is that we can look forward to the end result of these times. God can transform all the pain into something good. I do not believe we should stop fighting suffering and be complacent with a fatalistic attitude. But we should instead be joyful not in the suffering but in what the suffering can be transformed into by the amazing grace of God. The perfect example would be how God transform the death of his son, Jesus into victory and redemption for us all. I have learned that God’s grace is sufficient to bring us through our problems and weaknesses. God will never let any temptation or trial hit us that we cannot handle.
Well, it really has been a struggle and I am really looking forward to the blessing God has in store.
Currently listening to: Lift up your eyes
Currently reading: Where is God when it hurts? by Philip Yancey
Posted by jud at 10:19 PM | 1 comments