There will be many times in life when we don’t understand God’s plan and His ways. I can’t pretend that I have never gotten angry with God and told Him life wasn’t fair. In my anger I have asked Him why He allows us to go through so much pain in life and why sometimes He does not stop the pain.
Sometimes when you are a believer, you think you should be immune to pain and suffering. It seems like the equation should be: I love God, I pray, I obey- therefore I should have a great life that is pain-free. God should answer all of my prayers and things should go my way!
However, the truth is- Jesus actually promises that we will have trouble in this life. But He also provides a word of encouragement:
John 16:33
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
At the end of the day, I have to surrender my pain and my questions to the only One who can provide me the true peace that my soul desires. In the depths of my heart, I understand that as humans we are very limited in our understanding. There will always be things that happen which have no explanation or logical reasons. I have to make that decision to trust God even when He does not give me answers. I have to trust that God is still good, and still faithful.
Psalm 46:10
“Be still and know that I am God…”
He is a God who turns ashes into beauty, mourning into dancing, and sorrow into joy.
“You have turned my mourning into dancing for me;
You have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy…” Psalm 30:11
His Word says that ALL things work together for the good of those who love him, who are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28). Not just some things, but ALL things! That’s a powerful promise.
The truth is that some of our questions will never be answered this side of heaven. But we can take comfort in knowing that God is with us in our pain, in our mess, in our heartache. He does not delight to see us suffer; God is not a cruel taskmaster sitting up in heaven pushing our buttons to see how much we can take.
God sees, He understands, He knows. He comforts, He strengthens, He guides. He is a very present help in time of trouble. Will you trust Him today with your pain? Though He may not tell you why you went through it, He can restore you and use your pain to make you strong. He can use it to help others who are going through the same pain, and He can use it to create something beautiful in your life. It is sometimes in our greatest sorrow that we feel closest to God.
Psalm 34:18
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted, He rescues those whose spirits are crushed.”
I want to encourage you to come to the Lord with your brokenness today. Will you run to Him? He is waiting for you. Aren’t you tired of running to other things when you are hurting- things that you think will numb your pain? When will you stop running to a bottle, a club, a vacation, an unhealthy relationship, sex, money- or whatever it is you use to fill your voids? Those things cannot heal you, those things will not give you answers, those things will not give you the peace you need.
I don’t know the pain you have been through and I don’t know why you had to go through it. But I know the One who can give you peace in your chaos and He is waiting with arms open wide to carry you through this valley. Don’t wait another second, run to Him today.
Lori Beth 