Love to hear from and know who is listening
I often hear people ask this question, “If God is so loving, why does he allow children to get cancer?” Or maybe they say, why would God allow a child to be physically or sexually abused. And the truth is, I don’t know! I had two sons die. One was still born and the other lived for only 3 months. That was over 30 years ago and though I can see God's hand working in and through my life as a direct result of my boys deaths, I can't say with total certainty that I know why they had to die. I can't see in my feeble mind what good could have possibly come from this situation and others like it. I know that as I suffered through those days, weeks, months and even years after my boys deaths there were many times I thought to myself, where are you God? The thought of a loving heavenly father allowing my boys to die was just something I could not comprehend. With the support and love of my Christian family and friends I managed to get through it all and come out the other side a better person!
Pain can make a person either a “better person” or a “bitter person.” There is a very fine line between becoming a “better person” and a “bitter person.” Two people can go through very similar difficult and painful situations in life and one of the comes out a “better person” while the other turns into a “bitter person.” What makes one person a “better person” and the other a “bitter person?” What is the difference between “better” and “bitter?” The only difference between “better and bitter” is the I. If you start looking at on yourself during difficulties in life you will become “bitter!” I can't understand why God would do this to me? I can't understand why God let my sons die! I just don't know, I - I – I!!! As you start relating everything to you,.... you become bitter. But if you will look to God, if you look to Emmanuel the “I” becomes an “E” and you become better. Even when you can not see it God is in control and he is working out his purpose!
Romans 8:28 NIV And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Pain always has a purpose. Pain in the body exists to alert us to some abnormality in our body. It exists so that we will recognize there is a problem, allowing us to address and correct the problem. Emotional, mental, and spiritual pain exist for the same purpose. God’s purpose is always to help us realize a life fulfilled. God wants us to be the very best we can be so that our lives will glorify Him! We just think we know what is best for us. God knows exactly what is best for us is. God knows we need to live a life in perfect union with Him, walking in faith, submission, and obedience. Everything God does, or allows, is for the purpose of drawing us, and others, back into union with Him. To glorify God with our lives. I may not see how life’s painful circumstances accomplish that, I may not understand how the death of my sons will bring glory to God, but I don’t have to!
Proverbs 3: 5-6 NIV Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Some of you may be walking through unbearable valleys of suffering that I can't even begin to comprehend. My prayer for you is for encouragement and grace to sustain you during this season of sorrow. I pray that God would bring people alongside you to comfort and sustain you. I ask that God would strengthen your faith. That you would trust the plans God has for you. Plans to prosper you, plans to give you hope and a blessed future.
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not
