Often we can justify our feelings through hard times, but God is a good God who sees the bigger picture.

This week we're going to be reading through 7 scriptures that highlight what Jesus went through and how we can learn from it. Download the Weekly Guide for Spiritual Growth and then read the article below!

Often in the Bible, we see so many people touched by pain and suffering. Some justifiably questioned God, while many kept the course without questioning our good, good Father.

If I am honest, there are a few seasons where I have believed in God and at the same time questioned His goodness. I have blamed and asked, “But if you are a good God and a good, good Father, why? Why would you let this happen? Why to me? Am I not worthy of Your protection?” In Isaiah 53:4, we see this same sentiment: “Yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted.” In a sense, how could God do this to Jesus — make Him suffer? Recently, I heartbreakingly reasoned and asked God, “If I think of my children, I would protect them no matter what. They are worthy of my protection because I love them. Am I not worthy to you?”

As we read the rest of Isaiah and the Gospels, through the life of Jesus, we see over and over the pain and suffering God allowed Jesus to go through. I am beyond sure it grieved God, the Father, to see His one and only Son go through the most painful but purposeful journey of life. But His big-picture view of the purpose of Jesus Christ’s life was enough to make it worth it. It’s like in John 12:24, Jesus says, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” He tells the disciples that the pain and suffering we go through will be used to impact many. The hard times will not go to waste. He was setting the path for us like in Revelation 12:11, where it says, “And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.”

Often we can justify our feelings through hard times, but God is a good God who sees the bigger picture. He sees who will be touched by the crushing we experience, and He doesn’t let any of it go to waste. He says in Romans 8:28, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” He used every single moment of Jesus’ life to touch the multitudes and even us today. How honored we should be for our lives to be poured out for others to see the goodness of our God.

“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.”

1 Peter 4:12-13

I can acknowledge with you the pain and suffering doesn’t feel good and it doesn’t just go away. There are hard moments but there is hope that God will use them for good, transformation and, ultimately, His glory. How sweet it is to trust Him with our lives and be used by Him. I just pray that through the challenging times, others would find Him to be good. That is my anchor of hope as we journey through this thing we call “life.”

 

Read more with me on what the Bible has to say on this topic by following our weekly guide.