The Promise of God in Suffering: Finding Hope and Comfort in Threatening Pain

The Promise of God in Threatening Pain

We live in a society that is petrified of suffering. Each day starts with a thousand moments of flinching at pain — at our alarm clocks, at the shower’s cold water, at missed emails that threaten loss and tragedy. We resent suffering and what it could mean for us. Job bewails that suffering looms with the shadow of divine disappointment: “I become afraid of all my suffering, for I know you will not hold me innocent” (Job 9:28).

Last night, I bolted onto the football field to face the Miami Dolphins. I was eager, surging with life, energy, and strength. It was the last preseason game of my third season in the NFL. The ball snapped, and with a snap of his fingers, God mercifully showed me how small and weak I am compared to his grand and glorious sovereignty over all creation.

As I felt the pop in my knee after being hit from the side, I fell to the ground in excruciating pain and knew my year was over before it had even begun.

In the NFL, it's easy to publicly thank God when everything is going well. But what about when pain and suffering knock us down? What about when our dreams are shattered and our hopes are crushed? What is God's promise in the midst of threatening pain?

The Promise of God's Presence

When we face pain, it's natural to feel alone and abandoned. We may question whether God is with us in our suffering. However, the Bible is filled with promises of God's presence. In Psalm 46:1, it says, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." God promises to be with us, even in the darkest moments of our lives.

Just as I felt the pain of my injury on the football field, God understands our pain. He is not distant or indifferent to our suffering. In Isaiah 53:3, it says, "He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief." Jesus himself experienced pain and suffering on the cross, and he can empathize with us in our own suffering.

The Promise of God's Comfort

When we are in pain, we long for comfort. We seek relief from our suffering and hope for a brighter tomorrow. Thankfully, God promises to provide comfort in the midst of our pain. In 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, it says, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction."

God's comfort is not just a temporary fix. It goes beyond soothing our immediate pain. His comfort is a deep and lasting solace that sustains us through the darkest valleys of life. In Psalm 23:4, it says, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."

The Promise of God's Purpose

When pain enters our lives, it's easy to question the purpose behind it. We may wonder why God would allow us to suffer. However, God promises that he has a purpose for our pain. In Romans 8:28, it says, "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."

God can take the broken pieces of our lives and use them for his glory. He can bring beauty out of ashes and turn our pain into something meaningful. Just as a sculptor shapes a masterpiece out of a block of marble, God can shape our lives through the trials we face.

Conclusion

As we navigate through the uncertain and often painful journey of life, we can hold on to the promises of God. He promises to be with us, to comfort us, and to use our pain for a greater purpose. Our suffering is not in vain. It has a redemptive power that can transform us and draw us closer to God.

So, let us not be afraid of suffering. Let us embrace it as an opportunity to experience the faithfulness and goodness of our heavenly Father. In the midst of threatening pain, we can find hope and solace in the promises of God.