A Blessing and A Curse

We've all asked the question. How can God allow pain in the lives of those He loves? It's a big question. An understandable question. So, what's the answer? What I am about to tell you is extremely personal and intimate but it is also the truth. It is the answer we all seek.

Each of us knows someone who has gone through a tragedy in their lives. We too have gone through such things. How do we handle those situations? What do we do? What do we say?

Here's how it happens.

We talk to someone at work or school. We ask them how their day was. And, if they are willing, they tell us. After they tell us their story, if it is a particularly painful one, we have compassion on them and walk with them for a short while as they go through the pain of a loss or a particular struggle. It becomes both a blessing and a curse to do so.

We can receive criticism from family members or our bosses for "spending too much time" with someone. And it does take time. There is sacrifice involved. I call it "a curse" but it really isn't because we are willing to make that sacrifice. It is a blessing to serve God in such a way.

Having compassion for someone and coming along side them will eventually evolve from a painful situation to a trusting loving one. We hear words like, "Thank you SO much!" "I don't know what I would have done without you." "We love you." How can that NOT be a blessing to hear those things.

Most of the friendships we have - tight, close, personal - have come out of experiences like this. A messy divorce, the death of a close friend and mentor, verbal and mental abuse, a miscarriage, drug addiction, alcoholism, a battle with cancer, physical pain, depression. Love is worth wading through all those things!

We are commanded to "love one another". When we place our hearts in God's hands through our willingness to follow Christ, it comes with the territory. We can't help ourselves. It is a gift of the Holy Spirit.

^"34 So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. ³⁵ Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” - John 13:34-35

Having such close friends, refined by such fire, may seem like a curse at first but they always become a blessing because they are based in faith and true love for our fellow man/woman. Yes, there is pain in the beginning. But God makes beauty from pain. It's what He does.

And that's the answer to the opening question, I think. God allows pain and suffering so we can emerge on the other side of it stronger and more understanding of others who have gone through similar things. Struggles and pain grow us so that we in turn can help others going through the same thing. We end up doing the same thing that Jesus did for us. And that can only lead to a deeply personal, loving relationship. And THAT is what God wants for us and from us. Beauty from pain.

Beauty From Pain - Superchick