Joy came in the morning!
Growth and suffering go hand in hand sometimes. And it is incredibly hard to see the “worth it” aspect of it when you’re in the thick of it. It would be so much easier if God just told us the areas we needed to heal or grow in, instead of putting us through the fire.
Have you ever wondered “Why couldn’t you just tell me, God? Why did I have to experience hardship?” This question is asked by many believers, myself included. Why do we have to go through heartbreak to learn how to heal one? Why can’t God just prevent it? Why can’t God simply explain to us in a conversation, the things we learn on the road to recovery?
I’ve said, “God, if you just talk to me, I’ll listen.” I’ve learned many reasons why simply hearing about the storm isn’t effective, we need to go through it. Here are a few reasons:
Recognize and retrace. We learn more about God through every storm. The more we know about Him, the easier it’ll be to recognize Him and lean into His comfort as we did before.
Going through trials and overcoming, produces a roadmap. If we face the same difficulties later on in life, we’ll be better equipped and more prepared to overcome them. This roadmap will help others that are also experiencing, or will also experience similar trials.
Our testimony will show others in similar situations that someone has gone through it and made it out. This brings the confidence that it can be survived.
We’ll know first hand the emotions and thoughts attached to these circumstances. Being empathetic is only so effective when trying to encourage others. Unless you yourself have experienced the same pain, you can’t connect on the same level.
“There’s no room for pride in the kingdom.” Sometimes we believe we can handle things on our own. By experiencing situations that cause us pain, we are reminded that we could never make it by our own strength. (2 Corinthians 1:8-10)
God is getting our attention. Sometimes we get so enveloped in our busy lives that we make God an after thought. He also gets the attention of those not living in Him by shaking them away from their comfort, routines, and ways of thinking.
To humble and examine us. He allows us to get to a low point where we are reminded of our humanity and His Glory. “God doesn’t need intel on us, WE need intel on us.”
The Lord uses the wilderness as our training ground. Pastor Toure Roberts put it best, “The wilderness is a controlled environment." Which means, we were always meant to make it through. The severity of the storm doesn't reflect the real danger. God is in control. Any time we face struggles, there’s a reason: Preparation, examination, testing our faith, growing our resilience and strength, or all of the above. Many times we aren’t aware of what still has residency in our hearts and minds until we are forced to look deeper.
While I was writing this God gave me an analogy. When women get period cramps, they don’t panic, aren’t surprised, and know the steps to take to endure the pain. They’re prepared. They’ve experienced this before so they recognize the signs, the pain, and discomfort. Although the pain can be excruciating for some, they know it won’t kill them because the pain’s intensity doesn’t match the real danger. Similarly, knowing all women face the same challenges can bring a sense of relief and comfort. This can also make the experience less daunting and isolating. Finally, the monthly discomfort is a reminder that a woman is fertile and able to become pregnant. Why am I saying all this?
Because just like these women, we as humans constantly face struggles that may feel uncomfortable and painful. They are also a reminder of our fertility in Christ. We are fertile soil ready to grow whatever God plants in us. Although the storm may seem severe, it was never meant to kill us.
Just like women can find comfort knowing they aren’t the only ones facing these challenges, we can also count on the fact that all our brothers and sisters have undergone the refining process.
I’m sure you’ve heard knowledge is power. This is true.
The more we know, the more dangerous we become for our enemy.
In a legal trial, evidence is presented and examined. We learn more about all parties involved. We become more educated and knowledgeable about ourselves, our defense, and what we are facing.
Our defense is God, and the entire power of heaven. Our enemy is clear. And we also examine ourselves more closely in this process.
God is infinitely stronger, more merciful, powerful, loving, and good than we could ever imagine. The more we learn about Him, the easier it’ll be to recognize Him. This leads to seeing Him in everything we do, which brings us comfort.
We learn that our enemy isn’t as clever, resourceful, or creative as we might’ve thought. He uses the same methods every time. Different categories, same weapons. This makes the challenge we may be facing less intimidating because we know we’ve overcome it before. Lastly, he is NO match for our King Jesus Christ!
We also get to discover ourselves in ways we haven’t before. When put under a microscope we see all the things that were still hiding under the surface. We also realize we are stronger and more resilient than we thought. This isn’t our first rodeo.
In this life, suffering is inevitable. It is what you do in the midst of it that affects how you go through it, how you make it out, and who you become. Suffering in the world leads to death. Suffering for Christ leads to eternal life and always produces growth.
Panicking becomes harder when you realize the same God who parted the Red Sea is with you now. The same Jesus who healed the blind and raised the dead, is the same Jesus fighting with you and for you, right now. He’s still the same God. His power hasn’t changed and He won’t fail you, He never does.
When we suffer we can hold on to these facts and know that none of it is in vain. He hasn’t forgotten us, and He isn’t picking on us. He’s preparing us. If your current situation makes no sense, just know, it is directly connected to glory and the promises God has for you.
This is your pressure test, when God places you in the spaces He designed for you, you won’t crack under pressure because you’ve already overcome. Don’t give up, you never know when everything might change for the better.
