“Feeling A Little "Job"”

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

I'm thirty years old and have been through my share of trials over the past few years.  Just this year alone, I've spent a week in the hospital and was sick the rest of the month (February), my dad tried to commit suicide (March), my mama died on my 30^th birthday - suddenly (May), I was terminated from my job when I returned from her funeral (May), my black lab was poisoned (June)… but thankfully he lived, I've had a "chemical pregnancy" i.e. early miscarriage (October), and the stress caused me to fail two classes in school which disqualified me from the program I've worked so hard to get into.  I have to now wait another year.  We are struggling severely with our finances, and I'm scared that we are going to just slip further behind.  I've gained 40+ lbs. and feel like I'm eating because I deserve punishment for some reason.  My "issues" are causing a lot of grief, not only to me, but also to my family.

My question is: why, why, why does it seem that God allows so much pain to enter one person’s life but spares others?  This is affecting my faith, which I am trying desperately to hold onto.  I pray to God daily asking Him to guide me and mold me into what He wants from me.  I ask Him if for some reason I am doing something wrong to deserve so much pain, please help me correct it.  Please help me understand the need for all of this pain.

Sincerely,
Daily Sufferer

Dear Daily Sufferer,

We are so very sorry to hear of the difficulties you are facing.  If we were in your circumstances, we would feel exactly as you do.  The truth is, God does not desire anyone to suffer.  God made the world perfect, placed mankind in the Garden of Eden, and gave us a joyously blissful existence in that paradise.  Who caused the pain?  We did.  It is sin that has brought all of the death, disease, decay, pain, suffering, troubles, and heartaches into our world.  We all, in varying degrees, are reaping the benefits of a world with sin in it.

People suffer for various reasons:

1. Sometimes we suffer for our own sins (Gal 6:7-8)
2. Sometimes we suffer because of others’ choices (Like David's sufferings at the hands of Saul - 1 Sam 20:1)
3. Sometimes we suffer in order to glorify God through our suffering and recovery (Like the blind man - Jhn 9:2-3)

No matter what, God tells us that we can rejoice in tribulations (Rom 5:3) because eventually, if we suffer faithfully, our tribulations produce indestructible hope… a hope that cannot be taken away from us.  God causes all things to work together for good for those who love Him (Rom 8:28).  We cannot tell you how or when, but someday you will look back on this time and say, "I am better for having been through it."  Until that day, trust in the Lord, and He will see you through.

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