“When pain and suffering come upon us, we finally see not only that we are not in control of our lives, but that we never really never were.” – Timothy Keller

“The wound is the place where light enters you.” – Rumi

I have a personal connection to this particular subject.  Not only have I experienced it firsthand, I would venture to say it was one of the greatest turning points in my life – changing the deepest parts of me forever.

There was an 18 month period of my life where pain, suffering, and hurt hit me hard – so hard that I had no desire for life anymore.  When it began, I couldn’t believe that a loving God, a God who was gracious, kind, and merciful could leave me and abandon me like He did.

What had I done that I deserved such a fate as this?  Why was He turning His back on me and allowing all this to take place with no intervention on His part?  Why didn’t He love me anymore?

It’s ironic that when life is good, we relish our freedom, our ability to do things our own way and often place God in the background – forgetting Him altogether.  But when things get bad, He becomes front and center.  I remember blaming God for His lack of concern – for His inability to stop all the horrible things that were taking place.  I interpreted the hurt, suffering and pain as some form of punishment doled out by Him – a recompense I owed for some terrible sin I must have committed somewhere along the line. 

I equated blessings and abundance with God’s presence….the hurt and suffering with His indifference, His wrath, and His absence.

But a few days ago, I wrote how God is in the tiniest of details – in the most miniscule and most minute matters of life.  If He is in the fine details, then He is absolutely seated smack dab in the middle of life’s major issues – those drastic turning points that are filled with suffering and hurt.  If like me, you thought God must have been MIA in the midst of painful circumstances, think again my friend!  Actually, He was in control of them all along 🙂

The Scriptures tell us God isn’t evil, nor does He instigate it.  He allows it, using it for ultimate good – molding it to fit His will for us and others involved.

The Scriptures also reveal that God has a plan for each of us – a reason we have been created that ties to a destined purpose for our lives.

What is that plan?

I became to realize it had nothing to do with large bank accounts, a big home, and a carefree lifestyle.  It had little to do with my pleasure, comfort, and ease.  It had EVERYTHING to do with growing me up spiritually – learning more about the attributes of life that live beyond this world – the ones we take with us when we leave.  The Bible says part of God’s plan for us here involves “conforming us to the image of His Son” (Romans 8:29)

When you think about it, every important spiritual attribute is developed in the midst of pain, suffering and hurt – our ability to forgive when forgiveness isn’t deserved, to remain faithful in doubt, to trust when all seems lost, to hold on to hope in the darkest of moments, and to develop a discerning heart – seeking wisdom in all we face.

These important character attributes aren’t grown and cultivated in an environment of pleasure and abundance. 

So…is God missing from pain, suffering and hurt?  No way my friend!  He is up to something BIG….much bigger than you realize!

But isn’t He about goodness?  Doesn’t He want us to be happy and live a full life?

“My husband died a young man.  He wasn’t given a full life and I am still alone – missing him along with my children.  Where is the justice in a life that is cut so short like this?”

“I am financially ruined.  There are so many good and admirable goals I have that will never happen without the resources to fund them.  How can my dreams possibly become a reality anymore?”

“I was recently diagnosed with terminal cancer.  Every day is a struggle – filled with physical and emotional pain.  There are so many things I wanted to do with my life that will never be.  Why is all this happening now?”

“I don’t know why they left me like this.  I loved them so much.  Every day my mind is filled with hurt that is beyond description – a despair that is overwhelming.”

God is good my friend – a loving, gracious, merciful goodness that is beyond our human capacity to understand.  He is in TOTAL CONTROL always.  Our lives and our times are in His hands – forever! People make bad, evil choices (I’ve made bad ones in my own life), but God uses His omniscience, His sovereignty, and His providence to work alongside the free will and choices that we make and those that others make that influence our lives negatively.  This is the mystery of His providence – turning all situations into good outcomes in the end.

He is just.  He doesn’t uphold a justice standard – He IS JUSTICE!  So when hurt, suffering, and pain seem unfair, unjust, or undeserved – when a life is cut short in its prime or something ends in a one-sided or imbalanced way – realize this is a STRONG TESTIMONY to the fact that there is more to the story of our lives than just this earthly one.  LIFE is more than this earthly experience – part of the reason for the spiritual lessons we are all learning through the pain, suffering and hurt.  Justice and fairness play out through time.

Can you begin to see God in the middle of it all?

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” – Psalm 34:18

“For I hold you by your right hand – I, the Lord your God.  And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid.  I am here to help you!’” – Isaiah 41:13

Don’t miss God in your pain – He is there with you as you face it.  Don’t miss Him in the suffering – He has purposes, very deep and meaningful ones, for allowing it that are preparing you for your journey ahead.  Don’t miss Him in your hurt – for He is taking that very jagged puzzle piece and fitting it perfectly into the picture of your life – both in this one and the one that awaits you.

God bless each and every one of you!