Help in the Pain - Pt
The Lord saves those who are crushed in spirit (Ps 34:18)
It's interesting how, when things are going well, we have a tendency to act as if we don't need God. And when we're in pain, we have a tendency to question God and His goodness. This is the human experience.
Very much like the wonderful hymn, "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing," says, "Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, prone to leave the God I love." We see biblical examples of turning away from God when things are not going well, and we see examples of turning to God during pain. King Saul in 1 Samuel 13 is an example of turning away from God.
After he pridefully sinned, he was told that his kingdom would not survive. As things began to decline, he didn't turn to God, but turned away from Him. Instead of getting on his knees and asking for mercy, he looked for help with a visit to a medium.
Another example would be Job's wife in the Old Testament book of Job. During Job's suffering, his wife told him to curse God and die. But others in the Bible turn to God during pain.
King David, while in deep distress and desperation, turned to God repeatedly for help. Jesus is the best example. I can't even imagine the pain he must have endured even before he came to the cross, just knowing what was in front of him.
Then his actual suffering was like nothing we'll ever experience, and he was completely innocent. So, there are a few things we know about Jesus and his approach to suffering, and these can really help us. First, Jesus understood what was happening.
He didn't go to the cross ignorant of what was going on and what would be accomplished in his suffering, and he knew his Father loved him. Have you ever gone to the doctor for an exam or treatment that was going to be painful? I have. So, why go? Because we have an understanding of what's at stake.
In the book of Hebrews, we read that Jesus endured the cross because of the joy that was coming in the salvation of his children. We too should not be ignorant of our pain, and Scripture is very clear as to why we suffer and what good and beauty is coming from our suffering. Second, Jesus was committed to prayer.
He didn't turn away from his Father. He turned to his Father in faith, and he prayed, and he prayed. Whatever the struggle, we should be praying, and not just simply for the outcome that we want, but for increased faith and trust in Jesus who knows what's best.
Third, Jesus sought the support of his friends. Before his crucifixion, Jesus asked Peter, James, and John to come with him to pray. Now, even though these disciples couldn't stay awake all night to pray with him, this type of support is a core function of believers and the church.
The apostle Paul wrote that we are to bear one another's burdens, weep with those who weep, comfort those in affliction, share with those in need, care for others and not just ourselves. In difficulty, we need other believers to be praying for us and helping us.
Jesus, you are constantly interceding for us. Holy Spirit, you are constantly helping us pray in our distress. Father God, you love us like no other. I am sorry for being difficult when I suffer. Thank you for always doing what's best for me. Please cause me to look beyond the struggle and see the good that will undoubtedly come as a result of the pain. Cause me to run to you and not away from you.
So let me leave you with a thought from 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, and this is my paraphrase. We do not lose heart as this world crumbles beneath us, because in the struggle we are prepared for unimaginable, never-ending glory with Jesus.
Song: Come Thou Fount