God can be unfair, but he is with you always (copy)
During our last conversation, we talked about God’s love and how sometimes, like the good Father He is, he allows us I hope you know that not all of the pain we experience is of our own doing. Some things that occur in our lives are the result of another’s decisions, an accident, and so on. And just like when we’ve caused our own pain, it is important that in times when pain and heartache is an experience gifted to us out of our control, we must count it all joy. We must take each adversity as opportunity, consider each heartache as a lesson learned, know that joy will come in the morning, and prayerfully see the light at the end of the tunnel. Many of you may be wondering how can I expect us to respond so positively when bad stuff happens to us? Especially when bad stuff happens and we don’t deserve it? Nor did we cause it? Let me explain.
For a lot of us, our natural response to negative experiences tends to be “if things go bad for me…then there is no God. And if there is a God, he can’t be a good God.” Similarly, there are some of us who believe “if things go great for me…there is no God, I did this on my own. And if there is a God, he had nothing to do with my success.” Both sentiments are based in false thinking. God does not cause our pain. He is not the author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33). God never tries to “trip us up” nor does He push us toward sin (James 1:13). He wants the best for His children (Matthew 6:25-33) and wants us to succeed (Proverbs 16:3; Isaiah 41:10).
But if God is such a good God, then why does He allow pain? Why does He permit for us to experience the unexpected loss of a loved one, a cancer diagnosis, financial ruin, a disfiguring accident, the loss of a job? Why does He allow war and crime, toxic marriages, corrupt leaders, abuse of children? Why? I don’t know my friends. I truly don’t know. In transparency, I must confess that my belief in Him and His goodness is often tried and tested. Sometimes I question, “Why God? Why?” And my wonder, isn’t always about me or what has happened to me or my family. Sometimes just turning on the news, reading the newspaper, or perusing my Twitter feed, I begin to wonder if He sees what I see. I wonder if He has had enough and will step in to save us from this strife. When I feel myself spiraling into a seemingly abyss of hopelessness and “godlessness,” I remember that I never ask God why when He is blessing me. I remember that I never ask God why when He is providing for my every need. I remember that I never question God’s intentions when He uses me to lead others. I remember that I never wonder why God protects me and my family from harm and disease. I push myself to remember.
Does God allow pain? Yes. Are there times that when we are in pain we feel abandoned by God? Or that we are being punished by God? Yes. Does God wish for us to be in pain? No. Does He promise us a life without pain? No. Is God a good God? Yes. Is God a fair God? No. Is He a “just” God? Yes.
Pastor Rich Nathan of Vineyard Columbus shared that often times when we go through something we are able to exercise our faith. Our response to a painful experience can “increase our resilience, strengthen our relationships, and increase our presence in reality.” As we persevere (James 1:12), our lives, our words, our witness moves us from living as a “false professor of Christianity to a true, genuine possessor and follower of Jesus.” In short, our painful experiences allow us to grow in a way that we may never have grown without it. But if God is such an all powerful God, can’t He just “grow” me without the pain and the lessons? I’m sure He could. But like any great parent, like any good Father, He allows for us to grow and learn through experience – even if that experience is a result of heartache and pain.
Friends, I write this article to encourage you today. Whether you have caused your own pain or are living through pain that was bestowed upon you, we must find God’s grace and mercy in it and count it ALL joy. You may believe God is unfair and I agree, He is. If He was fair, He would grant you every judgement we deserve and withhold every blessing that we are unworthy of. If He was a fair God, we would know it, we would feel it. I’m glad He is unfair. I am glad that He wants His children to seek mercy and justice (Micah 6:8) and bless them with unmerited favor (Ephesians 1:2-10).
I encourage you today friends that God sees you in the midst of your pain. He is there with you, even when you caused your own defeat. He is also there in the heartache, loneliness, and despair. He loves you. He doesn’t want to see you hurt. He wants to see your flourish and grow, adding tremendous value to the Kingdom. Whatever it is you are going through, seek him and live the Word in truth.
Gina Watts is a former resident of Fayette County, now living in Columbus, Ohio. She serves multiple communities as an advocate, educator, and leader. Follow Gina on Twitter @professorgmarie.