The Unfair AdvantageSample

What is God’s response to suffering and heartache? We can answer this by considering his response as he walked on earth two thousand years ago. Paul wrote to the church at Colossae, “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form” (Col. 2:9). We know the character of God because we can study the life of Christ.

Through the biblical narrative we find that Jesus had a two-pronged approach to the problems he encountered. Whenever he approached pain, Jesus’ response was either to change it or to use it. People mistakenly get angry at God because they do not understand this. Throughout the Gospels, there are many powerful stories of Jesus changing a situation. Matthew 9:35 says, “Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.” Blind eyes were opened, the dead raised, children cured, demon-possessed men set free. The impossible becomes possible when Jesus gets involved.

For some reason, beyond my understanding, Jesus will also sometimes choose a second response to hardship. There are times when he doesn’t heal the infirmity or prevent the pain. Take for example his cousin, John the Baptist. Jesus’ words in Matthew 11:11 were, “Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist.” Yet, Scripture tells us that John was imprisoned and finally beheaded. Jesus did not stop John’s death, but he certainly used John’s life. In Acts chapter 18, John’s influence in preaching Christ was still seen decades after his life on earth had ended.

When God doesn’t solve our hurt, he spins it for a greater purpose. Solve it or spin it, those are the two options with God. Be encouraged. If you are going through something, it is for something.

Prayer

Father, please help me see the purpose in my suffering, and please help me use my trials to glorify you. Amen.