I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH SOMEONE going through a painful circumstance and they kept telling me they were trying to figure out “why” it was happening to them. I said, “You’re asking the wrong question. Don’t ask why you’re going through it, ask ‘WHAT can I learn from this?’”
Every trial, every pain, every suffering and affliction is a means by which God can refine our character. He’s doing something through your affliction. There’s a purpose in your pain. God is NOT the one causing you pain, but He is most assuredly ALLOWING you to go through it. Yet, sometimes we bring it on ourselves because God let us have our own way. Sometimes it’s the enemy wreaking havoc. Sometimes it’s just life. It rains on the just and the unjust.
Yet, it’s not what you are going through or will go through, it’s HOW are you going to go through it? Because you can go through it alone, grumbling and complaining, murmuring, bitter and negative, asking “Why?”; or you can choose to go through it relying on the Lord and His strength, with peace and joy. You can certainly isolate yourself from the brethren, but I have to warn you Satan works overtime in isolation;
“A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment.”
Proverbs 18:1 NKJV
OR you can choose to be in the church and found at the altar every time the doors are open. Call a brother/sister in Christ to pray with you. Ask God WHAT can I learn from this? Maybe it’s just to trust Him. Maybe He’s refining your character and He’s teaching you perseverance in the trial. You won’t find any good answer in the “why”. Take a lesson from God’s answer to Job,
“Who is this who darkens counsel By words without knowledge? Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me. “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding.” Job 38:2-4 NKJV
The “why” only produces doubt. Maybe you will know after the trial, but for now cast it down and know He is faithful who promised. It’s one of God’s many awesome and amazing, multifaceted characteristics. Yet, we tend to put Him on our level and relate Him to someone in our life who has let us down. We can get frustrated and confused when things don’t go according to plan and on our timeline. “Where are You God? When will you come and heal? At what time will you deliver? How long?
Have you forgotten about me? Why?” The “why” and other questions can muddle our minds, bringing in doubt in order to choke out our hope and our faith. You need to know this, and I mean know this, deep down in your soul as a real and true revelation that God is faithful. He will do what He promised. Has His Word not declared,
“God is not a man, that He should tell or act a lie, neither the son of man, that He should feel repentance or compunction [for what He has promised]. Has He said and shall He not do it? Or has He spoken and shall He not make it good?” Numbers 23:19
Put on your belt of truth so your spiritual pants don’t fall down and hold up the shield of faith to stop all the fiery arrows of doubt. Stop asking “why” and know God is faithful. He will not let you fail and He will never leave you nor abandon you in your time of sorrow and suffering. Hold on to your faith and step into grace. Look to Jesus. He who has begun a good work in you is faithful to complete it. Trust His hand.
To Learn More About Pastor Crystal please visit the Leadership Page