In other cases, we don’t know the reasons. In the middle of Job’s story — with ten children dead, his body covered in boils, apparently abandoned by God — ask him if he wants out. Some time ago, a friend of mine endured a serious accident and a painful recovery. “God meant it for good” indicates God didn’t merely make the best of a bad situation; rather, fully aware of what Joseph’s brothers would do, and freely permitting their sin, God intended that the bad situation be used for good. This pain would help him in his ministry because it was in order “to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited” (2 Corinthians 12:7). A.W. We've collected some of our favorite Bible verses about trusting God that will reassure your faith and bring a new spring of hope. Pain should lead you to repentance. That’s because He sometimes has to get our attention. Physical, emotional and spiritual pain has been and will be an intrinsic part of the human experience. In fact, Romans 8:28 and Ephesians 1:11 are emphatic that he works the same way with us. God's timing is perfect. Psalm 38:15-18 For I am waiting for you, O LORD. God may use that pain to create a ministry for the person who’s suffering so that he or she can help others. Sufferers may wonder if God even cares, so we will investigate what the Bible has to say about chronic pain. It is evident that the world is full of suffering. How many times does God have a purpose in events that seem senseless when they happen? He already has. Who can better understand and sympathize with a couple or person who has lost a child than someone who has dealt with the same thing? Copyright © 2020, iBelieve.com. We are told to give comfort to others in the same way that God comforted us when we were hurting. Occasionally, like Joseph eventually experienced, God gives us glimpses of his rationale. ), Given the option while facing his trials, I’m confident Joseph would have walked off the stage of God’s story. Does celebrating seem the wrong word? 1 Samuel 16:14 Verse Concepts God has a plan for great purpose and a beautiful future for all who believe in Him. I know his answer because in Job 3:11 he said, “Why did I not die at birth?”, But that’s all over now. Did you know God often births a ministry through pain or suffering? Whatever pain or sufferings you’ve gone through or are currently going through, remember that God has a purpose for everything, which includes your hurt. Share, pin and save today's encouraging Bible Scripture. I empathize with my characters. Our cravings can take us to new spouses, new jobs, or even new cities or countries. Ask them, “Was it really worth it?”. Should Christians Celebrate Halloween? However, just because we don’t see any point in suffering doesn’t prove there is no point. If you asked them, “Would you like to suffer less?” I’m sure they’d answer, “Yes!”. “Your greatest ministry will most likely come out of your greatest hurt.”. So your greatest ministry may come out of your greatest hurt. It certainly would have to Joni as a 17-year-old desperately wanting to end her life. No need to wonder how Jesus will respond. We are part of something far greater than ourselves. I’ve written nine novels. (James 1:2-3, NCV) 3. All of our resources exist to guide you toward everlasting joy in Jesus Christ. We’re on a mission to change that. Turn my past into my purpose and refuse to let my pain be for nothing. He did so in accordance with his plan from eternity past. Romans 8:28 is one of the most arresting statements in Scripture: “We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” The context shows that in a groaning, heaving world, God’s concern is conforming his children to Christ’s image. If we foolishly assume that our Father has no right to our trust unless he makes his infinite wisdom completely understandable, we create an impossible situation — not because of his limitations, because of ours (see Isaiah 55:8–9). But it saved his life. But when suffering comes, we might be able to use our pain in order to birth a ministry in the area we’re hurting. Faith is believing today what one day, in retrospect, we will see to have been true all along. For God has put it in their hearts to execute His purpose by having a common purpose, and by giving their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God will be fulfilled. Let’s not wait until five minutes after we die to trust that God always has a point. . We’re not likely to be as sensitive to God’s will if everything’s going well. Since God can use evil for good (Genesis 50:20, John 3:16), we can know that whatever happens to us, good or bad, will work out for our very best (Romans 8:28). Nothing about God’s work in Joseph’s life suggests he works any differently in the lives of his other children. Identify the worst things that have happened to you, and then ask yourself if you trust God to use those things for your good. God’s children have “been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will” (Ephesians 1:11). It's likely that as a child your parents told you not to touch a hot stove. Do you believe the promise of Romans 8:28? God uses problems to CORRECT you - Some lessons we learn only through pain and failure. But Jesus can bind up wounds as deep as ours. 4 Powerful Purposes God Has for Your Emotional Scars - Felicia Alvarez - Read about Christian dating and get advice, help and resources on Christian single living. God calls upon us to trust him to weave that story together, so that, in the end that will never end, we will worship him, slack-jawed at the sheer genius of his interwoven plotlines. I’m just traveling through this world. All rights reserved. But as the author, I know that in the end all their suffering will be worth it, since it’s critical to their growth, and to the redemptive story. Yet looking back, we see her exponential character growth and the countless lives — my family’s included — God has touched through Joni. One day, we too will see in their larger context, with an eternal perspective, God’s severe mercies, some of which we never understood, and others we resented. Whatever pain or sufferings you’ve gone through or are currently going through, remember that God has a purpose for everything, which includes your hurt. My home is in Heaven. Not despite our past, but because of it. “Therefore we do not give up. In that case, a compelling reason for the accident became clear. He made us from dust and knows how our bodies function (Psalm 103:14; 139:13–16). Since God can use evil for good (Genesis 50:20, John 3:16), we can know that whatever happens to … The archetypal example of our suffering was Jesus Christ, who was persecuted and crucified by the Roman officials. Losing a child is beyond description, but someone who’s gone through the same thing can understand what the couple’s going through. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. . 10 Things a Wife Needs to Thrive When Life Is Full, "For Unto You Is Born This Day" – The Beautiful Promise of Luke 2:11, Top 30 Bible Verses to Relieve Your Stress, 8 Surprising Things about You That Are Attractive to Your Husband, 5 Christmas Traditions to Resurrect This Year, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. In other words, someone who’s disabled can better minister to those who are disabled. Why Don't You Hear God When You Need Him the Most? Suffering can certainly keep us from being conceited because it tends to keep us humble and reliant on God. He has plans for each person, each nation and for the entire world. So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen; for what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:16–18, CSB). Cancer, disabilities, accidents, and other losses and sorrows appear devastatingly pointless. Suppose you could interview characters from my books. Tozer once said (paraphrasing) that God cannot use a man greatly until He has first wounded him deeply. And he works through the challenging circumstances of our lives to develop our Christlikeness. 4 Prayers for a Powerful Fasting Breakthrough, 10 Signs of Emotional Abuse in a Relationship. . Joni Eareckson Tada is celebrating her fiftieth year in a wheelchair. When you have many kinds of troubles, you should be full of joy, because you know that these troubles test your faith, and this will give you patience. He can use these things in our lives to soften our hearts and make us more humble. Gerard, Approximately two years went by while I suffered from all the human aliments you express. For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. God has written each of us into his story. But given all that we don’t know, why do we assume our ignorance of the reasons means there are no reasons? They can sympathize because they know how much it hurts. But there is only one place we’ll find the satisfaction we seek. God never wastes pain or hurt. But like my fictional characters, who are clueless to my strategies, we lack the perspective to see how parts of our lives fit into God’s overall plan. And we can trust God's way is the best way for us. On the coming new earth, sit by Job and Joseph and Jesus at a lavish banquet. Article Images Copyright © 2020 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. You must answer for me, O Lord my God. We’ll wonder why we prayed to be more like Jesus but then begged God to remove what he sent to answer those prayers. The Bible asserts that he will. 7 Bible Verses About God's Plan ... Every Christian knows that God has a plan. Most people in the world have no experience of lasting joy in their lives. In Jesus' Name, Amen The history of black-white hostility in America may leave us with little optimism about healing. Joseph nods emphatically. Scripture teaches us that in our sovereign God’s loving hands, no suffering we face is ever purposeless, no matter how it seems at the moment. (Didn’t the excruciating death of Jesus appear both gratuitous and pointless at the time? The briefest glance at the Bible reveals that God is aware of our suffering and is eager to help us (Psalm 50:15; Numbers 21:8–9). Let’s learn to do it here and now, eyes locked on our gracious, sovereign, and ever-purposeful Redeemer. You can give the same comfort to others that you’ve received from God; you can be more sensitive to God’s will; you can be kept from being conceited; and God can even birth a ministry out of your pain. God never wastes our pain. “Absolutely,” Job says. Here's What You Need to Know. Of course, the same thing applies to women. Only God is in the position to determine what is and isn’t pointless. Romans 8:28 is one of the most arresting statements in Scripture: “We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” The context shows that in a groaning, heaving world, God’s concern is conforming his children to … In the Romans 8:28 of the Old Testament, Joseph said to his brothers (who’d sold him into slavery), “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive” (Genesis 50:20).