Monday, November 28, 2022

Why Pain and Suffering?

 It is good for me that I was afflicted,

That I may learn Your statutes.

Have you ever thought, "I am serving you so why are things so hard?"  Read what C. S. Lewis wrote:  God who has made us, knows what we are and that our happiness lies in Him.  Yet we will not seek it in Him as long as He leaves us any other resort where it can even plausibly be looked for.  While what we call "our own life" remains agreeable we will not surrender it to Him.  What then can God do in our interest but make "our own life" less agreeable to us, and take away the plausible source of false happiness?"  (Problem with Pain, pg. 84)
 
That is why the psalmist says, "it is good for me that I was afflicted,"  So that we are forced to turn to God for our happiness or rather our joy.  Do not think for a moment that your obedience will assure things to go smoothly.  God doesn't work that way.  He knows that in our struggles we will turn to Him for our joy.

Christ follower, don't expect obedience to equal joy or happiness.  Rather surrender your life to Him and find true joy.

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