What if this season was strategically orchestrated?
What if the pain has a purpose?
What if the disappointment was designed?
What if the tears are necessary?
My theology is “God is good and He is not the author of our pain.” I believe that with every fiber of my being. I believe God is not the source of sickness, cruelty, death or distruction. The Bible clearly states, it is the enemy who “kills, steals, and destroy.” John 10:10.
Nonetheless, we live in a fallen world. We have an adversary. Therefore, sometimes, we walk through seasons that are difficult. There is often pain, disappointment, tears. And our all-powerful Father who has the ability to quickly take away our sorrow, sometimes allows us to walk through the pain.
Why would a good Father do that? For our ultimate good.
A productive struggle is necessary.
The children of Israel walked through a desert for forty years. (Talk about a productive struggle.) God nourished them from the sky. Hydrated them from a rock. Sustained their clothing. And why did He do this?
“He fed you with manna in the wilderness, a food unknown to your ancestors. He did this to humble you and test you for your own good. He did all this so you would never say to yourself, ‘I have achieved this wealth with my own strength and energy.’”
Deuteronomy 8:16-17 NLT
My husband and I did what was right in the eyes of society. We graduated college. Got married. Had children (in that order). Despite that, our early years were marked with financial and marital struggles. That was the most humbling period of my life. But what was the fruit of that season?
It led me to a stronger faith, a more compassionate heart, a generous spirit, and a healthier marriage. The struggle was necessary for me to become who God called me to be! I truly recognize what I have is not because of me but because of Him
Friends, this is an uncomfortable truth:
This difficult season, this pain, this disappointment, these tears you are experiencing are for your good. God is bringing you to a place of humility. You are being gracefully broken so you can be gracefully healed.
A productive struggle is real.
“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.”
Romans 5:3-5 NLT