Many people experience tremendous trials that are difficult to understand and accept. They question God’s love for them and even ask themselves, “If God truly loved me, why would He allow me to suffer?” That is an age-old question for which many will never find the answer. Though it sounds simplistic, suffering is a part of life because of the fall of man and sin’s presence in the world.
Some years ago, I met a couple whose child was born with a rare condition causing the child to never grow physically or mentally. She lived for several years as the parents endured this affliction that robbed them of the joy of their child having a normal life. I asked the couple “How they did it?” I mean, “How they lived for Jesus and managed to bear up under such intense adversity?”
Their answer was simple, “We learned to embrace the situation, knowing that God has given us our child and the difficulties that go with it.” Would we be able to do the same with such conviction and grace?
The apostle Paul, in writing to the believers at Thessalonica, gave some standing orders for the church, saying, “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
Is it possible to give thanks to God for everything; even the things that cause such pain and suffering? If I were to fall from my porch and break my leg, and I going to say, “Thanks Lord, I needed that?” I seriously doubt it! But, the next couple of weeks while I am kicked back in my recliner watching the fifteen rerun of “The Price is Right,” I may turn off the television and read the Bible and discover afresh and anew my fellowship with God, and draw closer to Him. That would be when I learn to give thanks.
Without the adversity of a broken leg I may have never slowed down enough to spend that much-needed time with the Lord. Or, in the Scriptures I may discover that so many others have endured greater trials through which they had an even greater faith as they learned to depend upon God.
Certainly, not everything in life is good; but not everything adverse is necessarily bad. Though God never creates and causes our adversities and trials, He does allow them for the express purpose of our growing in faith and dependence on Him. It is only when we embrace our sufferings and ask not “Why me, Lord,” but rather “What Lord? What are you trying to teach me,” that we will understand our trials?
Learn to give thanks to God for everything for this is the will of God concerning you. Trust that He has a purpose that will glorify Himself.
-Pastor Jerry Dunn, Oak Street Baptist Church
