Have you ever suffered loss or had your heart broken?
Are you acquainted with hurt and wondered where God was in all the pain?
To the mother of three young children who is facing a double mastectomy and months of chemotherapy and radiation; or the young couple whose child was killed in a tragic car accident; or the family who lost everything they own in a house fire; or the young wife whose husband drowns in the ocean on their honeymoon… What words of comfort can we offer? What can we say to the homeless, the starving, imprisoned, impoverished, or abused to bring hope in such situations?
Words can seem so empty, and God can seem so elusive at times. “How can you say that God is a merciful and loving God if He allowed this to happen to me?” you might ask. “How do I even know He is real?” “Doesn’t God see all the suffering in the world? If there is a God, He wouldn’t allow all of this craziness to continue!”
Well, this is quite a concept to tackle, but I can say without a doubt that yes, God is real, and He is a merciful and loving God. He is sovereign, and His ways are awesome beyond comprehension. He is our comforter, our peace, and our helper in times of trouble or sorrow. It is not He who has failed us when we suffer, but He is the one who comforts us and brings us through our pain. He turns the suffering into something magnificent in our lives, if we let Him.
Where the rubber meets the road is in how we perceive our suffering. The way we choose to respond to life’s unfairness is what determines how we make it through. Grieving is a natural process that takes time, but we must see the bigger picture in suffering and pain in our lives to have the proper perspective. Before I tackle this topic, the important thing to remember is that “This too shall pass.” It is just a temporary setback, and you will make it through. God will never leave you; His comfort is readily available; and He has a perfect plan for you, whether you can see it or not.
When sin entered the world, it’s marriage partners, death and destruction, came right along with it. John 10:10 reminds us that Satan’s purpose in this world is to “steal, kill, and destroy.” That is what he is all about, and he will stop at nothing to bring misery into your life. He is the root of all evil, pain, sickness, tragedy, fear, and sadness. So, point number one is that it’s all his fault!
What gets difficult to understand is that nothing happens without God allowing it. Everything we experience is filtered through a loving God. But, how can that be? Does that even make sense? Certainly He never causes grief or sorrow, so why would He allow it if He is truly a loving God?
Let us take another look into the root of suffering. When man was created, he was given a free will, and God loves us enough to not to interfere with our free will. He allows man to choose life or death, blessings or cursings. In the beginning, when Adam and Eve chose to disobey God and eat of the forbidden fruit, they relinquished control to the devil. That gave him the power to wreak havoc in the world, causing all tragedy, sickness, and death. Unfortunately, innocent victims are also hurt in the process.
So, where is the hope in this? First of all, God warned us that we would have difficulties in this world, but not to lose heart because He has overcome the world. He is our champion, and He has won the ultimate victory in this world for our sake. Again, He is not the cause of suffering, but He has made a way to overcome it. John 16:33 says, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” Because He has overcome, we will too. What hope that brings! However, not only does God give hope for future victory, but utmost comfort in the middle all of our trials as well.
He sees and understands all that we go through. One of my favorite verses is when Hagar was in a desperate situation, and God revealed Himself to her. She had been wondering in the desert, pregnant, hurt, and afraid. Genesis 16:13 says, “Thereafter, Hagar used another name to refer to the Lord, who had spoken to her. She said, ‘You are the God who sees me’.” If you feel abandoned and overwhelmed, consider the beautiful example in this story of God’s enduring love for us.
He identifies with everything we experience in our lives because Jesus came to the earth to experience it all first hand. No matter what hurt you have endured, Jesus has been there done that! He knows loss and grief personally; therefore, He knows exactly how to comfort us. He has promised to walk with us and to never leave or forsake us. He holds us in His arms and carries us through it. He lovingly caresses us when we hurt. It is only He that can heal our hearts. “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” Psalms 34:18. Now that is a loving and merciful God!
The hope and comfort He brings is not only while we are in the midst of our trouble, but the big picture includes an eternal perspective of suffering. While we are in the depth of our pain, it is sometimes difficult to see beyond it, and we can feel that we have been abandoned. However, the love and mercy of the Lord is that He not only comforts us when we hurt, but He continues to do a far greater work in us through it. While He allows us to experience sorrow, He promises that it will ultimately bring good into our lives.
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 NLT
God is more concerned with our character than our comfort, and He understands that sometimes it is necessary to endure and overcome a struggle so that He can show His love to us and bring about victory, character growth and development, and enduring glory into our lives. After all, if we had never had a problem, how would we know that God could solve it? If we never hurt, how would we know that God can comfort us?
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 2 Corinthians 4:17.
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18.
Those words bring so much comfort to me, knowing that ultimately, everything I go through will work out for my good. I am so encouraged to know that no matter how bad it gets here on earth, He is working something so much better in us through it. In the big picture, suffering ends and a much greater glory is revealed in us.
James admonishes us in chapter 1, verses 2-4,
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
So, don’t lose heart, and don’t look at your problems through the mere lens of only the here and now. See your life through a Godly perspective, and allow Him to complete the work in you. He is doing something good in your life. He really is! You may not see it now, but you will one day.
Ultimately, keep in mind that one day, God has promised to right every wrong. This seemingly unfair existence is only temporary, and one day, God will reward the faithful, destroy all evil, and restore the ones who are hurting and suffering.
Remember that His purpose is eternal, and the temporary troubles we face today will one day end forever. He has promised to “wipe away all tears.” Isaiah 25:8. He has promised that “Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.” Psalms 30:5. The ultimate purpose in all of this is that through everything we endure, we will be “conformed to the likeness of His Son.” Romans 8:29. What could be better?
So, don’t doubt God when life doesn’t make sense. Just look at it through a different perspective. Whatever you have gone through, or whatever horror you have witnessed on this earth, don’t lose hope. God is a good God. His love and mercy endure forever. Rather than turning to Him in anger, turn to Him for comfort. He is everything you need and more. And one day, you will be able to comfort someone else with the very same comfort you received from the Holy Spirit. (2 Corinthians 1:4.)
Take a moment to ponder these words that refer to Jesus. When He came to the earth, He had you in mind!
Isaiah 61:1-3, 7 NIV
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor…
because the Lord has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor…
Instead of your shame
you will receive a double portion,
and instead of disgrace
you will rejoice in your inheritance.
And so you will inherit a double portion in your land,
and everlasting joy will be yours.
you will receive a double portion,
and instead of disgrace
you will rejoice in your inheritance.
And so you will inherit a double portion in your land,
and everlasting joy will be yours.
God bless!
Shari Lewis
