I thank God and rejoice even for pain and hurt.
I don’t mean I rejoice in pain and hurt, because these might be great evils. But I mean that I rejoice within the midst of pain and hurt, because by his grace I know that God is in the midst with me like he was in the midst of the fiery furnace with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that he will never leave me nor forsake me, because he died on the cross for me — even for a worthless sinner like me! The Son of God loved me and gave himself up for me on the cross! What more do I need but Christ and his love in the midst of pain and hurt and worse? It is more than enough. And infinitely more than I deserve.
I know that God is absolutely trustworthy. His promises never fail. His words are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace, purified many times. It is a word which is both alive and which abides. His word lives, and gives us life; and his word lasts forever. Though heaven and earth shall pass away, God’s word shall never pass away.
What can man do to me? Why ought I to dread the future? Nothing shall ever separate me from the love of God in Christ Jesus!
After all, what can the most painful and hurtful things in life do to the Christian but to draw him nearer to Christ, to make him cling onto the Savior more, to cause him to know and love his precious Lord more, to cause his heart to sing with deeper thanks to his Heavenly Father who loved him and gave up his own Son to die for him? Thus I am moved to proclaim to all peoples everywhere the excellencies of him who called me out of the darkness of my sinful, rebellious, and evil life and into his marvelous light!
God is good and loves me, God is great and is in control of all things in my life, and God will provide in his providence exactly what he knows to be best. Even if it’s physical pain. Even if it’s emotional hurt. Even if it’s the loss of one familial tie or friendship or other relationship after another. Even if family and closest friends reject and abandon me. Even if it’s not merely witnessing from afar but experiencing firsthand suffering, either in my own life or (although I want to cry “God forbid” for them) in the lives of those I most love, in my family and friends. Even if it’s seeing those closest to me at death’s door, only later to succumb. And, although it seems far away from me at this moment (but one never knows), even if death wraps its skeletal fingers around me.
Even still, God is continually with me; he holds my right hand. He guides me with the counsel of his word illumined by his Holy Spirit, and afterward he will receive me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but my precious Lord? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides Christ. My flesh and my strength may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Such things are decreed by our loving and trustworthy Heavenly Father for our good and his glory. Not capriciously but so that we might know him and rejoice in his love and share in his holiness. Is not the Man of Sorrows acquainted with grief? Indeed he is. And it has been granted to us not only to trust in Christ but also to suffer for his sake (again, not for our sake or for another’s sake or for no sake whatsoever but for his sake), so that we might be transformed into his likeness, conformed into his image.
As for me, may “the God of all comfort” comfort me with himself. Not only for my own comfort, but so that I might be able to comfort others in their pain and hurt, in their grief and sorrow. And, like one beggar telling another beggar where to find food, may I point others to Christ who is the Bread of Life, broken for us — and risen from the dead in newness of life to give us life, life abundant and eternal and glorious and free.
For in Christ all these light and momentary afflictions and pains and hurts and sufferings are preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.
Thus, in the midst of pain and hurt and worse, may we praise the Lord, for his steadfast love endures forever!
With this in mind, here’s a wonderful hymn penned by John Ryland to reflect upon:
Sovereign Ruler of the skies,
Ever gracious, ever wise;
All my times are in thy hand,
All events at thy command.His decree who formed the earth
Fixed my first and second birth;
Parents, native place, and time,
All appointed were by him.He that formed me in the womb,
He shall guide me to the tomb;
All my times shall ever be
Ordered by his wise decree.Times of sickness; times of health;
Times of penury and wealth;
Times of trial and of grief;
Times of triumph and relief;Times the tempter’s power to prove;
Times to taste the Saviour’s love
All must come, and last, and end,
As shall please my heavenly Friend.Plagues and death around me fly;
Till he bids, I cannot die;
Nor a single shaft can hit,
Till the love of God sees fit.
3 Comments
Indeed, there is a time for everything, including a time for suffering, and as you know God can work good even for that. I want to share a brief ‘kind-of testimony’ in case it reminds you or any readers to claim God’s promises. Might sound ’simple’, but I think it at least somewhat ‘worked’.
Last month, I wrote down a prayer, I confessed sin related (directly or indirectly) to a particular situation. I presented my request to not be anxious or uncomfortable. I thanked God. I expressed my desire for peace, wisdom, and His guidance. Well, the next day I wondered if I was at peace about the situation - if Phil. 4:7 came true for me. I blogged that wonder (but took it down from the public eye). In addition to that written prayer, it’s possible I may have tried to claim His promise on verses on notecards, but at least I have the written prayer on paper as kind-of ‘proof’ to myself…
I realize that the above must sound shaky or hesitant, but for me it’s big, and a good memory and a testimony to God’s goodness. Just even wondering if God healed me in that area. Don’t think it was a complete 100% emotional healing, but it was still a really neat experience.
I guess I just encourage people (and myself) to claim God’s promises…for me that was Phil 4:6-7. And I think it was good for me to write out my prayer and my later wonder because it makes my testimony more solid (in my head) for myself and others. Psalm 77 is a good Psalm for a troubled soul - starting out w/ crying aloud to God, then remembering God and His deeds, pondering His work, recognizing His holiness and greatness and reflecting upon what He has done. I think it would be good to seek to ‘keep on the memory file’ (and writing it out may help) how God has helped. Then when we again encounter suffering, perhaps we can reflect back upon His goodness and how He has kept His promise before….
Anyway, that’s all I wanted to say
A bit long I guess!
Thanks for sharing that Rachael! You’re right to cling onto the promises in God’s Word like that. Boy, I need to learn to do that as well, particularly these days. I remember Charles Spurgeon telling the story of an older Christian woman who had written the letter “T” next to every Bible verse she’d had to “claim” (as you put it) for a particular situation in her life. And when the Lord kept his promise and brought it to pass in her life, she’d write the letter “P.” Spurgeon tells us that the “T” was for tried and the “P” was for proven, and that she had many Ts and Ps in her Bible. What a faithful God we serve! Thanks again for sharing your story, too.
Neat about the Ps and Ts! Thanks!
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