Are pain and disappointment a blessing in disguise?
John Newton lived a despicable life admitting to being "an infidel and libertine." It eventually reduced him to "a servant of slaves in West Africa." Finally in a severe storm the ship he was on about sank, then he turned to God.
He ultimately wrote, Amazing Grace. A song that for several hundred years literally blessed millions of people.
Joseph's dreams shattered. Sold into slavery, and imprisoned for years. But prepared by God to save his family and nation.
Paul and Silas. In prison beaten and bleeding, but singing praises to God. An earth quake opened the jail, and opened the heart of the jailer saving him and his family.
Paul state, "I was given a painful physical ailment, which acts as Satan' messenger to beat me and keep me from being proud. Three times I prayed to the Lord about this and asked him to take it away. But his answer was: 'My grace is all you need. for my power is greatest when you are weak.'" - 2 Corinthians 12:8,9 (TEV)
Much of the New Testament was written and many churches started in Asia minor as a result.
Even Jesus was "made perfect" through suffering. "But even thought he was God's Son, he learned through his sufferings to be obedient. When he was made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey him..."-Hebrews 5:8,9 (TEV)
Above all, God wants our pain and disappointments to drive us to Him. That is where the real blessing will come to us.
"We know that in all things God works for good with those who love him, those whom he has called according to his purpose." - Romans *:28 (TEV)
Am I going to let God use my pain and disappointments in life? Or just complain about them?
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1 comment:
It's a fact of life, isn't it? Live long enough and you'll be visited upon by pain of one sort or the other. I heard a pastor once say we have a choice to make: we're either bitter or better because of them.
This is a message too often overlooked amongst believers today. I won't point fingers, but suffice it to say there's plenty of preaching that would have the sheep believe no such suffering is necessary.
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