‘When Pain Comes A Looking For you.’

And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth, and His disciples asked Him, saying, “Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, ” “Neither has this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.” (John 9:1-3) ((New King James Version)

Before restoring a blind man’s sight, Jesus explained that the blindness this man had didn’t happen as a penalty for sin, but rather, what? “that the works of God might be displayed in him”

Remember in John 11:1-4 when Jesus actually delayed traveling to his dying friend Lazarus, whom He loved, so that in raising him, from the dead that He, (Jesus) might glorify God.

And in the Old Testament in Job1:2, in the beginning of the chapters we see revealed that Job was “blameless” in God’s sight, and that the calamity that befell upon Job happened not as a punishment, but as part of a Divine plan of God to defeat the adversary (Job 1–2).

In Job 2:5  Satan shows up before God and ask Him for permission to afflict Job to prove that Job would turn his back on God. However, Satan does not get the final call. God grants him permission, but establishes rules (2:6). Satan does afflict Job him, sparing his life (2:7–8). Job’s wife came up and said to Job, “Curse God and die,” because of the suffering (2:9). Job responds, “Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” (2:10).

Remember over n 2 Corinthians 12:7? where a “messenger of Satan” went after Paul and afflicted him? No doubt this “messenger” was Satan who was the source here, But the purpose given for the messenger is, “to keep me from becoming conceited.”

This must have been be God’s purpose in Paul’s pain. And Paul asks God to what? To take it away. But God answers Paul and says “My grace is sufficient for you.” Enduring pain, Paul learns to rely on the grace of God. Even though Paul would be afflicted, he would benefit by getting more of God.

And there was Peter writing in 1 Peter 1:6 to Christians who also going through pain and suffering in their trials by saying they needed to rejoice while they are “grieved by various trials” Here again, God has a purpose for what they were suffering through, that the purpose of their suffering was that as their faith, tested with trials, that what would result would become “more precious than the most refined gold” (verse 7)

So why do we as believers find ourselves in the midst of pain and suffering/? Because it’s all part of God’s perfect plan to keep you humble in a prideful world and to keep on increasing our faith, as we trust God and His individually designed purpose for each one of us today. Satan cannot stand this purpose by God because he hates faith. But as Peter finished up his thought in verse 8 ,he leaves us with this encouragement that-through out trials of-fire faith results in “inexpressible and glorified joy”

And so, what is the good from God in pain? Where is the joy in suffering?

It’s in more of God. It’s more dependence deeper faith, and increasing, everlasting, unshakeable joy that can only be found through refining. 

Maybe you’re finding yourself in a season of pain and suffering. No doubt, I don’t think it’s something we wouldn’t choose for ourselves to develop a closer relationship with God. Nevertheless, it’s a must do in order that Jesus can deliver His bride, blameless before the throne, and necessary because through each trial, we become more like Jesus and less of who we were before we encountered Jesus, I encourage you, if you’re going through it right now, and see no way out, “fix your eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Finisher of our lives.” (Hebrews 12:2)