God of your P A I N
‘My dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful test you are suffering, as though something unusual were happening to you. Rather be glad that you are sharing Christ’s sufferings so that you may be full of joy when His glory is revealed.’ 1 Peter 4:12-13 GNT
We live in a world of pain. Sooner or later – we all feel it. If you aren’t experiencing pain right now, it’s because you’re living in a temporary space ‘in-between’ your last pain and your next pain.
There are four kinds of pain: Physical, Emotional, Relational and Spiritual. And they are all closely related. Here’s an example –
•A man has an accident that injures his spine and brain. He’s in obvious PHYSICAL pain.
•As a result of the accident, the man can no longer work and his wife eventually leaves him because ‘he’s just not the same man I married.’ Now he’s in EMOTIONAL and RELATIONAL pain.
•SPIRITUAL pain comes anywhere along the way as the man questions, ‘God, why did you let this happen to me?’
That last question might be the most-often asked question in the history of man’s existence. ‘How could a good God let bad things happen – especially to good (innocent) people?’ If you are in the middle of something painful and wondering where God is, let me remind you of what 1 Peter 4:13 says; “be glad that you are sharing Christ’s sufferings so that you may be full of joy when His glory is revealed.” While it’s difficult (almost impossible!) to ‘be glad’ in the midst of your suffering, know this … someday His glory WILL be revealed, and then you will see things from His perspective … and you will be “full of joy”! Now, that’s good news in the midst of your pain!
TALK ABOUT IT:
If you are struggling and find yourself in the middle of a ‘painful test’, know this – God is there! You may not sense or feel Him, but Ps. 34:18 says “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted...”. Don’t lose hope! When His glory is finally revealed, you WILL again be full of joy!
Is someone you know going through a painful time? What can you do to be a help and support to them while they are suffering?
