Relief

Often, we pray for God's healing touch.  And we're disappointed when He doesn't give physical healing.

Or we pray for relief, even temporary relief.  And we're disappointed when He doesn't ease the pain.

Or we pray for explanation, asking God "why?"  And we're disappointed when we don't hear His answer.

But today Ms. Pothen provided poignant insight... when pain comes, "we ought not ask God 'why are You doing this?' but ask questions about creativity: 'What are You creating?'"

This aligns so well with Scripture.

"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that" God is creating something within you.  What is He creating?  "...knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.  And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing" (James 1:2-4).  Maybe God is creating perfection.  This reminds me of another Scripture.

"...the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you" (1 Peter 5:10).  God is again creating perfection.  And He builds upon that perfection, confirming us as followers of Christ; strengthening us to stand in the midst of life's storms, and establishing us as pillars of faith to which younger believers can cling. 

But I skipped the first part of this verse, which explains how He creates perfection.  See, God creates perfection "after you have suffered for a little while."

Why am I suffering?  Because God is creating something inside of me.

Looking back on my life, I would not trade the pain I've been through.  Some lessons I wish I could have learned an easier way.  But I do not wish to lose the lessons I've learned just to ease some pain that came along the path of learning.  Through the paths I've been on, God has created something.  I'm not perfect, but I'm moving towards His perfection.

I am so weak sometimes because of the physical ailments which plague me.  But that just gives God more room to be strong!  "And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.'  Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.  Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). 

If God can use my sufferings and trials to make me perfect and perfect His power in my life, why would I run from them?  Why do you run from them?  Do the rewards truly outweigh the present pain?

How you answer these questions says one thing; does how you live say another?