Finding God Through Suffering

Finding God Through Suffering

God never allows anything to come into our lives that may not in the end bring blessing to us or to someone else. We should be thankful that, when trials come, He tempers them to fit our own particular needs. Here is God's promise:

“And we know that all things work together for good to THEM THAT LOVE GOD, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” —Romans 8:28.

Our kind heavenly Father's permission for trials to cross our pathway is accompanied by His tender love. It is difficult for us to understand this in the midst of trial, but it is still true.

Troubled with the affliction that had come to him, a Christian was tempted to complain. Later, when the trial was past and he could see things in God's perspective, he said: “Fool that I was not to know that the messages of God are not to be read through the envelope in which they are sealed.”

1. WHY GOD PERMITS TRIALS (Part 1 of 4)

First, trials test character. This is one reason God permits Satan to bring trials upon us. The Bible teaches clearly that we are sinners by nature. “All have sinned” is the divine statement. (Romans 3:23.) We all have hidden defects that we need to get rid of in our preparation for a better world. But we are in danger of failing to recognize them, for—

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” —Jeremiah 17:9.

The hidden weaknesses of our characters might never come to light if we were never tested. We might never recognize our need of Jesus Christ in daily living if trials, troubles, and sufferings never crossed our paths.

Science has created machinery to test the quality, durability, and strength of metals and fabrics. Great pressures and stresses are applied to steel. Fabrics are rubbed and stretched to test their wearing qualities. When they have stood the test, then they are offered to the public.

God is looking for characters that have stood the test. We may have to be put under pressure, under strain, and on the stretch to prove ourselves. But in all we may rejoice that in Christ—

“We have not HIGH PRIEST which cannot be TOUCHED WITH THE FEELING OF OUR INFIRMITIES; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” —Hebrews 4:15.

Because Christ went through every test and trial that we could possibly have, He understands our trials:

“LIKE AS A FATHER pitieth his children, so THE LORD PITIETH THEM THAT FEAR HIM. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.” —Psalm 103:13, 14.

Second, others may be blessed by our trials. How much easier it is to sympathize with someone who is ill, if we ourselves have had a similar illness. It helps us to “feel his feelings” and to do or say just the thing that will give him the most comfort and help. Because of our own trying experiences, we may be better able to understand why a brother has fallen under temptation and trial.

1. WHY GOD PERMITS TRIALS (Part 2 of 4)

Have you ever seen someone maintain a sweet calm and manifest real patience in severe trial? His very attitude and trust in God are an example to others. Were we never in difficulty how would others see what God can do in impoverished situations?

Out of Job's bitter experience came a better understanding of himself and a greater sympathy for even his misguided friends. We read:

“I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I ABHOR MYSELF, AND REPENT IN DUST AND ASHES.” —Job 42:5, 6.

A little boy learns obedience through fathering a great deal of trouble. The wise man once commented on this means of teaching obedience:

“The rod of reproof is a means of teaching, but he that hateth chastening hath no understanding.” —Proverbs 13:24.

The Word of God reminds us that our afflictions are training for the same purpose:

“My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: FOR WHOM THE LORD LOVETH HE CHASTENETH, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.” —Hebrews 12:5, 6.

Fifth, our trials turn us to God. It has been said, “There are no atheists in foxholes.” But it is just as evident in civilian life that in times of depression, trouble, and war, church attendance increases and men turn to God for strength in their helplessness.

Since troubles often awaken men to their need of God, small wonder that He sometimes allows them to come, in order to turn our faces toward Him.

“HUNGRY and thirsty, their soul fainted in them. THEY CRIED UNTO THE LORD IN THEIR TROUBLE, and he delivered them out of their distresses. And he led them by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.” —Psalm 107:5-7.

A ship caught in a storm at sea may be tossed and driven off its course by hurricane winds. After the storm is over, the navigator must turn to his sextant and compass in order to determine his position. He must find the course that will direct his ship toward port.

1. WHY GOD PERMITS TRIALS (Part 3 of 4)

The same is true of us in the storms of life. When troubles come, we realize our extremity; then we turn to God for help. A man who has trusted in the dollar may never know God until the dollars have slipped through his fingers. The laboring man facing unemployment can learn that his blessings come from God.

Whatever comes to us, God has a great lesson to teach. We should know that—

“Seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather SEEK YE THE KINGDOM OF GOD, AND ALL THESE THINGS SHALL BE ADDED UNTO YOU.” —Luke 12:29-31.

Although God does not bring troubles upon us, for this is the work of Satan, God often uses them to lead us to Him.

The young butterfly wrapped in its cocoon is helpless, but as it struggles to break open the cocoon, it gains strength; and every added struggle increases its power to free itself. Yet someone aid the struggling butterfly, and it will die. It must develop by testing all its powers.

If we had God for our faith in God under the trials that come, our saddest moments may be our times of greatest spiritual and moral growth. God gives us grace sufficient for our needs, in our weaknesses we call on Him for help. Jesus promises to be with us in every trial.

“But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel; Fear thou not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; THOU ART MINE. When thou passest through the waters, I WILL BE WITH THEE; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.” —Isaiah 43:1, 2.

Fourth, trials teach us obedience. When a little child begins to explore life, he learns by experience. By burning his finger he learns to stay away from the fire.

1. WHY GOD PERMITS TRIALS (Part 4 of 4)

A wise old man was asked to explain why he had such good judgment. His answer was that his good judgment was the result of bad judgment. He had learned by experience.

Someone has said that all we ever really learn is the result of our own experience. We learn from others. Perhaps that is one good reason why suffering must come into so many lives.

The importance of obedience is learned by experience. The psalmist says:

“Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.” —Psalm 119:67.

“Thy statutes are my delight: they are my counsellors.” —Psalm 119:24.

In other words, we learn obedience.

2. GOD, THE DEVIL AND HUMAN SUFFERING

The saddest thing about suffering is that too often we are partners with Satan in causing the very trials that burden us. When we misuse our bodies by overwork, improper diet, lack of rest, we are helping Satan tear down the defenses God has given us against disease. When we ignore the guidelines, both physical and spiritual, that our Lord has provided, we are causing our own trouble and pushing out of our lives the very One who could help us.

But whether or not we help manufacture our troubles, they are all the result of sin. We live in a sinful world which will not allow the Christian to rest except as he finds the inner peace of Christ. Then, even though Satan tries his hardest, we need not be shaken, for we can know that God is in control even when things seem darkest.

Job learned this complete trust through the troubles that came to him. Satan tried to make it appear that God was causing Job's suffering, but Job clung to his knowledge of God's love and declared:

“Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him.” —Job 13:15.

Satan can never go farther with his destructive plans than God permits. God allows only that which will shape our characters into His image. He has assured us—

“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but GOD IS FAITHFUL, who will not SUFFER YOU TO BE TEMPTED ABOVE THAT YE ARE ABLE; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” —1 Corinthians 10:13.

It is not God's desire to see His children suffer. We have the assurance of this in His Word:

“He doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.” —Lamentations 3:33.

God turns Satan's evil into double good if we let Him; He uses it to develop fruitful Christian character and at the same time reveals to the universe the sorry results of sin. He is allowing time for sin to show itself to be the evil it is. When the entire universe has seen the sin of rebellion finally leads, He will blot sin out of existence.

3. HAVE YOU UNEXPLAINED SORROWS IN YOUR EXPERIENCE?

God leaves some of our questions unanswered, some problems unsolved. When it appears that He has forsaken you, remember that of your darkness will come, in God's tomorrow, rewards far beyond the sorrows of today.

“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” —Revelation 21:4.

As our Saviour, Jesus could not see through the darkness surrounding Him on the cross. In the agony of His separation from God, He cried:

“My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” —Matthew 27:46.

But after the resurrection He could look back and understand it all, as prophecy had pointed out:

“He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied.” —Isaiah 53:11.

A father cannot always explain to his son why he should not permit him to live in ease and luxury and always have his own way without restraint. The child cannot always understand the answers of his more experienced parents; but when maturity comes and he has learned by his own experience, he then understands.

You may not understand the whys of your life, but God will show you in the hereafter that which you cannot possibly understand now. In the face of unanswered questions, God asks you to trust Him as completely as a little child trusts his loving parents.

“The fact that we are called upon to endure trial shows that the Lord Jesus sees in us something precious, which He desires to develop. If He saw in us nothing whereby He might glorify His name, He would not spend time refining us. He does not cast worthless stones into His furnace. It is a valuable ore that He refines. The blacksmith puts the iron and steel into the fire that he may know what manner of metal they are. The Lord allows His chosen ones to be placed in the furnace of affliction, to prove what temper they are of, and whether they can be fashioned for His work.” —Manuscript, page 471.

4. SOME DAY WE WILL UNDERSTAND

“All the perplexities of life's experience will then be made plain. Where to us have appeared only confusion and disappointment, broken purposes and thwarted plans, will be seen a grand, victorious purpose, a divine harmony.” —Education, p. 250.

The apostle Paul recounted his stripes, stonings, shipwreck, his perils from criminals, mobs, heathen, the hardships at sea. He looked back on a life of constant conflict and great affliction, but he looked forward with courage as he thought of the crown awaiting him.

“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” —2 Corinthians 4:17.

“Henceforth THERE IS LAID UP FOR ME A CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give to me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” —2 Timothy 4:8.

When we meet after the resurrection, our sufferings forever gone, we will say, “Heaven is cheap enough.”

“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” —Romans 8:18.

In our life experience we could not see the end from the beginning, we would not want God to lead us by any other way than He sees best. Let us thank our heavenly Father that we are in His care and keeping. Let us thank Him that He never allows more bitter experiences to come into our lives than are for our good. Let us thank Him that, no matter how hard some conditions in our lives may be, He will turn them into blessings if we will but let Him.

William Cowper, the poet, had become despondent and was about to drown himself. But he was carried the wrong way by his driver. He went back home instead and wrote this hymn:

God moves in a mysterious way,
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never-failing skill,
He treasures up His bright designs,
And works His sovereign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread,
Are big with mercy, and shall break
In blessings o'er your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.

Blind unbelief is sure to err,
And scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.

Thank God that in His great love for you He “tempers every wind that blows.” Sometime when all life's lessons have been learned, we shall see how all of God's plans were right, and how what seemed reproachful and sorrowful was true!

“No good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.” —Psalm 84:11.

DEAR FATHER IN HEAVEN: I thank Thee for Thy Word which explains why I cannot always have sunshine in my life. Help me to grow in grace in the midst of storm as well as in the calm. Hold my hand and strengthen my faith in Thy never-failing care. Help me in every experience of life to recognize Thy refining work in building my character. Keep me always in the circle of Thy great love. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.