Suffering. One of the saddest words spoken by mankind. Trials, difficulties, hardship, pain...we all go through it. Some seem to have more than their fair share, if there is such a thing. I guess my biggest gripe with it all is when it seems pointless. I understand, (although that doesn't make it any easier to experience) suffering for the Gospel. Like Paul, like Peter, like John and Jesus Himself. Like those in countries where persecution for being a Christian is an everyday experience....You can see the reason behind it. But where we suffer with no definition, where we suffer and it seems endless and random...I struggle with that. For myself, but especially when I see those I love endlessly embattled and battered....it breaks my heart and I question God. I question His purpose and His reasoning and sometimes even His love.
I have a friend who seems to have never ending trials. Trials in every area of their life. My heart breaks for them. I've prayed for years, I've cried out to the Lord and yet the hits just keep coming. I know God often uses difficulties to drive us to Him, to correct and discipline us. And when we don't respond He may even turn up the heat, but I also know that as humans we don't appreciate this, and sometimes it even has the opposite affect. And we lose faith and hope. When does it end? I was praying about this as I was driving today. I still don't have the answer. Not sure I ever will. But as usual God had a song to lighten my heart and remind me of who He is.
I don't know God's plans, I don't understand His ways. Isaiah 55:8-9 “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. 9 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. But the God who reminds of His infinite sovereignty and superiority also tells us in Jeremiah 29:11 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. And in Romans 8:28 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. And we are given a glimpse into His purpose in Romans 8:29 For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
He allows things in our lives so that we learn to shed the worldliness and selfishness that comes from being a human being born under this world's system and influence and instead become polished to reflect Jesus to a lost and dying world. Discipline is also purpose. Hebrews 12:5-13 5 And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, “My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you. 6 For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.” 7 As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? 8 If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. 9 Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever? 10 For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. 11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. 12 So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. 13 Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.
But in all of this, whether suffering comes from polishing, discipline, living in a horrible fallen world, from other people's sin, from our own sin, from demonic attack....whatever is behind it one thing is always true: God's love never fails. Romans 8:38-39 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Suffering and pain are so very, very hard. Especially when it seems to dog our every step every day. My heart hurts so much for those who live with this.
Lord, You know our days, our struggles, our heartbreaks, our loss, our pain. My heart comes to You heave and broken for those who suffer so much. I plead for Your help and Your deliverance. But I know You sometimes want us to go through the fire, go through the high waters....Lord, help each of us to hang on to even the smallest bit of faith. Lord, give my friend and anyone else in the dark place the ability to not give up. You are sovereign and Your are so much bigger, wiser and everything else more than us. Lord, we don't understand. We hurt so much. Father help. Just help. In Jesus' saving Name Amen.
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