Pain and suffering in life stinks. Yes, simply stated, life is hard. We experience difficulties with our relationships, our career or job, our health, and many times these circumstances have a lasting impact on our relationship, or maybe lack thereof, with Christ. Perhaps you don’t believe in Christ because you have experienced so much pain, that if there was a God, He would not let all of the bad things in your life happen to you.
This makes me consider what we expect from God in our relationship with Him. I would like to pose some tough questions.
- How do our expectations of God impact our relationship with Him?
- Does our faith in God come with our expectation that only good things happen to those that believe?
- Do we expect God to fix and prevent our tough times?
Today’s reading is from 2 Corinthians. This was Paul’s second letter to the people of Corinth, a city in Greece, after he sent Titus there. Acts 18 tells us that Paul spent a year and a half in Corinth planting a church. After his departure, the people of Corinth fell away from God and questioned Paul’s motives. After Titus’ return to Corinth, the people rebounded in their faith and Paul was praising the people of Corinth in 2 Corinthians.
The Bible is filled with story after story of pain and tribulation. We read about sins, death, and sadness, with most stories outlining how Bible figures are being tested for their faith. The compilation of books that make up the Bible are a culmination of 40 authors over a period of 1600 years. Not one prophet or author ever promised a life on earth with no pain. In fact, based on the hundreds upon hundreds of sad and terrible Biblical tribulations, we should expect pain, disappointment, and trials in our lives.
I would like to focus on our relationship with God and how we specifically relate trials, tragedies, and strife to Him. We hear of inexplicable tragedies each day that are impossible to understand. You and your family may be enduring unimaginable pain and suffering with no end in sight. The heartache that many suffer may drive them to question the presence of God asking, “Why does God let things like this happen?”
The honest answer is we do not know. What I do know is that our recovery or rally during tribulations is based directly on our relationship with Christ during that season. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 7:4 “Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort. I am exceedingly joyful in all tribulation.”
One of my favorite pastors is Matthew Maher. Matthew has an incredible story of tragedy, suffering he caused, and his redemption through God’s grace. You can learn of Matthew’s story here. Click on “Watch the Video.” God can use the worst imaginable situations and use them for good.
Our pride, hurt, and stubbornness can prevent us from turning to God during difficult times. The grief we experience may take us through an emotional journey of regret, sadness, denial, and many times an anger that prevents us from releasing our pain. In Matthew Maher’s case, he was the cause of tragedy and horrible sadness, but he said “I refuse to allow pain to debilitate the voice God has entrusted in me. God is willing to use you, in spite of you.” Matthew immersed himself in the Bible to seek and understand God’s Word. It changed his life and now thousands of others that have come to Christ through Matthew’s ministry.
Paul also says in 2 Corinthians 7:10, “For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.”
When the tough times, sorrows, sadness, challenges, and disappointments occur, and they will occur, God is drawing us closer to Him through the “sorrow” and stirring emotion in our heart to understand that our happiness and sense of self comes from the Holy Spirit and NOT our own doing. The awful times and suffering during that journey remind us to revere and appreciate the solace and peace that comes from faith in Christ. There can be a peace and understanding, even in the moments where it makes no sense, that there is a reason for our strife and our Lord will provide a path for us.
I think the question to ask is how to approach tribulation and suffering during the rough times. I would implore you to “run toward God,” His Word, learn scripture through regular study of the Bible, and maybe even seek Christian counseling. Surround yourself with people that will help you interpret and understand the Gospel and allow you to ask the tough questions related to your pain.
God is not the cause of our pain, but He is the prescription to bring us back to a content and fulfilled life.
