Grace and Love - Uncategorized

Why Does God Allow Pain?

The young boy screamed and writhed under the hold of his mom, trying to get away and begging her to stop. She simply tightened her hold on his arm and continued the process of cleaning his wound. Despite the pain she was causing, the mom knew that the process was necessary to ensure the boy’s health and overall well being.

The boy, however, didn’t see things quite the same way. In his eyes, his mom was inflicting unnecessary pain on him. As he begged her to stop, he questioned her love for him. If she loved him, why wouldn’t she listen?

This scenario recently happened between my son and I, and the answer is quite simple. I love my son enough to cause him temporary pain in order to promote his long-term health. It would have been easier for me to simply leave him alone, but my love for him superseded convenience. I didn’t do it out of an attitude of cruelty or for punishment- I did it because that is what needed to be done.

As his mom, I know what is best for my son because I can see the bigger picture. I knew that dirt and bacteria left in a wound could cause an infection and/or prevent proper healing.

As the scene between my son and I played out, it reminded me of our relationship with God. How often do we undergo pain in our lives, and respond in anger and a sense of injustice toward the very One who has given us life?

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. -Jeremiah 29:11-13

God does not want to see His children suffer any more than I wanted to see my son suffer. However, He is willing to allow us to experience pain and suffering in our lives, just as I was willing to allow my son to experience pain and suffering as I cleaned his injuries.

So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold- though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. -1 Peter 1:6-7

Whatever pain and suffering you might be enduring today, keep the faith. God knows what He is doing, and it is out of His great love for you that He allows these things into your life. He is your Abba Father, and He’s got you. I pray that you will find peace and security in His arms, despite the circumstances you might be facing.

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Romans 5:3-5

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