One of the most common issues that I find myself dealing with in assisting other Christians in their walk with God is how do we deal with the times of difficulty in life. All of us go through these valley-like experiences where it seems as though nothing is going our way. Even those who are living lives of true holiness and intimacy with God find themselves in circumstances that seem unfair and undeserved.
There is a whole lot that can be said in response to the question of why bad things happen to good people. I am not interested in going down that road, although I feel prepared to offer some very good answers to that specific question. Instead, for the sake of this post, I just want to share wisdom I read in my Prayer Guide this morning as a word of encouragement.
From The Soul’s Desire by Glenn Clark:
For trouble, if it merely turns us to God and hence renews our strength, ceases to be evil, and becomes good; it becomes the best thing that could possibly come to us, next to God himself. For our growth in power and happiness depends upon the number of seconds out of each twenty-four hours that we are resting in God.
These words have special significance for my wife and me in our own time of “trouble” that we are currently going through. It’s easy to become overwhelmed with the cards you are dealt and the burdens and stresses life can bring. Even in the times when life doesn’t seem fair, we can be confident and find true rest in the loving and Fatherly nature of God. Even though we do not have all the answers, we can trust that in the end He is present, at work, and directing us in right paths.
So to those of you who, like me, are going through difficult times, be reassured. The God who calms the storms can bring peace and order to your life, and even the most evil of circumstances can become opportunities for blessing.
I don’t have a great relationship with my father… until two weeks ago I hadn’t spoken with him in over 11 years. For the first time in my life that became a crushing depression about a week before Father’s Day… REALLY depressing… for about four days.
But this is the beauty of it… God was there in the heartache. He was there in the woundedness. The hurt brought me to my knees and into the presence of God. And he resolved the tension within and replaced it with His peace.
I guess what I’m saying is… what you write here is true. There is purpose behind pain, trial and difficulty. Those things are there I think as a meeting point… a Sinai or Gethesemene experience… where we commune in great intimacy with Him.
Thanks for being so transparent, Doug. I appreciate that.
Have you noticed how in John’s Gospel there is a direct connection between suffering and glory? I think there is something about suffering that somehow enables us to experience the life of God in a way like no other. Perhaps this is a loaded concept, but I guess I’m just trying to make some connections in the things we are saying.
Good comments, Doug. Thank-you.
Here’s another quote along these lines:
“The great illusion of leadership is to think that man can be led out of the desert by someon who had never been there… no God can save us except a suffering God, and no man can lead his people except the man who is crushed by its sins.” –Henri J. M. Nouwen
Is that quote from The Wounded Healer? I read that book a few years ago and your quote sounds very familiar. Either way, I really love Henri Nouwen.
I wonder if suffering, as a Christian keeps us focused on the Parousia of Christ Jesus? Maybe in those times we again find our eschatological hope in Jesus Christ and the New Creation. What will that be like? Is it like Pannenberg believes a futurity, where the future is actually moving toward the present? Maybe this isn’t the time or place for such a discussion, but there is some connection between suffering and our eschatological hope.
I agree with you, Ron. I’ve noticed a similar hope spilling over in the Pauline letters. He often connects suffering with eschatological hope. And yes, Sean, you will find that quote taken from, “The Wounded Healer”. I thought this was a great post. As a pastor, this is where a great amount of my ministry unfolds, in the wounds and scars of God’s people.
I find it amazing how God sets us up to handle the struggles we go through.
When we look back on situation, we see how He was involved, and activelty took part in establishing every need to handle the situation, usually well in advance of the actual need.
This was very apparent in my life with recent events, and continues to be revealed almost daily.
My wife an I had a devestating fire in a building on our property. This was no ordinary building… it was my wood shop… all my tools, equipment, etc… The total loss was estimated by the insurance company to be $45,000 for the building, and $80,000 for the tools and equipment.
I did not know it, but I only had $11,500 of coverage on the building. The equipment, after they depreciated it, was less than half of the estimated loss…
My wife and I decided to not jump into replacing everything, although I did replace about $28,000 worth of equipment that I NEEDED…
A few weeks later, I lost my job, that I have had for 6 years… slow economy, salaries are too high, etc..
It is summer in Athens, OH and 85% of the businesses lay off workers for the summer months. We go from a town of 29,000 with OU’s students, to 3,700 local residents.
My mortgage, taxes and insurance on the property are close to $2,900 / month. This is before I start to pay utilities.
Now I am faced with, no job, no where to get a job for about three months, and a huge mortgage to cover.
The housing market is slowing in Athens, OH, and houses are typically on the market for about 5-7 months right now, and selling well below market value.
My wife and I decided to sell our house, and try to figure out what we are supposed to do… of course all of this was in prayer…
I made a phone call to the neighbor to let him know that I was selling my house and property (the neighborly thing to do) and he was surprised, but said he would like to look at it. Within a few days he and I had a contract! We close August 1st. Praise God.
Now, as for the finances… had we not had the fire, and had some insurance money, we would have had to borrow money from family in order to keep out home for the 6 weeks it takes to close, and still pay all of our other bills. The insurance money from the fire, will sustain us for several months.
Did I mention that I really did not want to move out of the area, because I am finally where I am supposed to be, going to school for ministry, and I need to finish my degree. I have 10 months until I graduate. Although I can not really afford school right now… I worked out a deal with the guy buying my house. I get to live here for 1 year, RENT FREE! I gave him a reduction in price, but I still came out all right.
Oh.. and my grandmother told me (out of the clear blue sky), to give her next semester’s school bills and she wants to pay them! I have not done this, as I God has provdied, but it still meant a lot, and if we don’t close on the house, the option is there to have my schooling paid for…
Also! My wife and I had decided to pay off ALL of our debt (excluding our mortgage) shortly before I lost my job, so we have absolutely NO debt! We own several reliable vehichles which will last for many more years, and we are now free to do whatever God has for us.
Sorry, this is getting long.
My point is. The fire was devistating, the job loss was worse, and the thought of haveing to postpone my degree in ministry was by far the most crushing blow that could be dealt.
However, everything worked out perfectly, right doen to the buyer for my house being able to let me stay for 1 year for free. That will be about 3 months after I finish my degree.
I am at the exact place in my life that I have desired, and asked GOd for for a long time.
If He calls me tomarrow, I can go! No matter where it is, no matter what He wants, I am 100% available. I have no obligation (financial) to restrain me, and I have no “reasons” that I have to stay…
He knew, and He provided. It could have turned out different. I could have lost everything! He still would have been there, and He still would have provided! I am not pretentding to think that God always does what we want. But He always does what we need, if we are faithful.
He is truly an awesome God!
PS – Through all of that, I was even extended grace by a professor on turning a final in late! That was the most amazing miracle of all
I won’t mention any names, but I am sure he will read this 
Okay… I’m done! LOL! Hope I did not bore you all. God has just been so good, and looking back, everything that Satan through at me, He completely used for His glory!
-Matt