King David prayed for protection many times. I wonder though how many of us realize that often pain is necessary and even beneficial for discipline, growth, and wisdom. Of course, pain is delivered in many evil ways but that doesn’t mean God is promoting the evil behind it. It simply means, like Joseph said, what was meant for evil, God meant for good.
Trusting in God doesn’t mean we won’t see affliction and experience trials of different kinds, it simply means we can trust Him to take what was meant to destroy us and use it to build us up instead. God doesn’t lead you into temptation but He will lead you through it. He doesn’t seek your harm but He will take what harms you and use it to make you more resilient, to build your faith, and train the eyes of your heart to habitually look to Him. He will turn your scars into monuments to His goodness and faithfulness. He will exchange sorrow for joy and ashes for beauty.
So when we experience pain and tragedy, we shouldn’t be asking, “Why me? Why did you let this happen God?” Bad things will happen to sincere and even faithful people. The influence of sin still abides in this world after all– for now. When we finds ourselves in these circumstances we should be asking, “What are you teaching me through this Lord?” The most powerful response, and sure evidence of strong faith is to worship Him in the midst of it all. This is a level of maturity in faith, I hope to perfect in my life.
I heard something said of which the essence is this, the most powerful testimony of God in this world isn’t found in words preached, or even the story of a life redeemed but rather it is when a Christian is found in the storm of tribulation and he isn’t shaken. He’s not worried or afraid and his countenance doesn’t fall. Not because it isn’t painful or difficult, but instead because he knows who his God is.
It’s not about what you know but Who you know.
FORGED 