When the Unthinkable Happens: A Journey Through SufferingSample

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the question that everybody asks in suffering: “Where are you, God?”

The Apostle Paul suffered in ways I can’t even imagine. He was walking in the very center of God’s will for his life, obedient to God’s call. He shared Jesus with anyone who would listen…and even with those who would not. He sacrificed, served, and discipled many people. Yet, God did not keep him from suffering.

Why God? Why did you allow all this pain in the life of a faithful servant? Why didn’t you protect him?

The answer becomes clearer as one looks more deeply into scripture. Let me give you one example. In Acts, Paul was arrested by the Romans because of false accusations from the Jewish religious elite. Did that stop his missionary work? No! In fact, the opposite was true.

As a prisoner of Rome, God brought him before governors, kings, and emperors. To each one, Paul faithfully declared the name of Jesus.

Later, while being transported to Rome by ship, a storm caused the vessel to sink. We can see the answer to the “Why God?” question in Acts 27-28. Paul shared Jesus with the 276 people aboard the ship and with the entire population of an island who had never heard the name of Jesus.

Sometimes God allows suffering in our lives to impact people with whom we’d never have had an encounter otherwise. Paul didn’t plan out a mission trip to share Jesus with all these people. That was all God’s plan. Paul just kept leaning into the Lord, putting one foot in front of the other, and bravely going through the next open door…even when it involved suffering.

What can we take away from Paul’s example? Our suffering did not catch God off-guard. He didn’t fall asleep and “oops,” sickness arrived. God is good. His plans are perfect. We can trust Him regardless of our circumstances. He knows our suffering and He loves us. Our response can be like Paul’s actions or Isaiah’s words, “Here am I, Lord. Use me however You want to use me.”

“Suffering times are a Christian’s harvest time.” -Charles Spurgeon