"Does God Want Us to Suffer?" addresses some commonly held beliefs among Christians. Here are some valuable thoughts from the article, which specifically addresses physical pain, but is just as applicable to emotional pain as well:
"Today, people often respond to others’ pain with clichés: “Everything happens for a reason,” or, “God won’t give you more than you can handle,” glossing over the hard realities of pain in favor of the lessons to be learned."
"Our culture operates under the assumption that “pain is gain” (and that an inability or unwillingness to bear it is a character flaw)."
"Certainly, the Cross demonstrates that pain can be redemptive, and many of us can relate experiences whereby pain led to positive transformation (though such transformation often comes once pain is relieved, because in the midst of severe pain, it’s hard to do much of anything besides be in pain). Christ’s suffering also helps us to know that when we suffer pain, God actually does know how we feel."
"Yet the abundant stories of Jesus' healings also suggest that God understands how pain can limit human flourishing, especially when it leaves people unable to participate in essential human activities (family and community life, work, rest) and disconnected from their true selves."
Click on the article title to read the full piece.
Thanks for this timely message and thought provoking subject. Experiencing pain in the midst of our faith journey is part of each of our very personal journeys in the Lord. May we keep seeking what He wants us to understand and know of His mercies and trustworthiness as well as our need to grow and to learn further how to trust Him...
ReplyDeleteHelp us dear Lord Jesus to grow and to know... and to make it through...