The psalmist boasts confidence in seeing the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living; that is, in the here and now. (Psalm 27:13) But one glance around assaults our sensitivities with evil and suffering. Where the goodness? Yet perhaps we glimpse the goodness of God in suffering as nowhere else.
Suffering never exceeds the limitations God places upon it.
Though often I lament God’s choice of boundary lines, He knows my limitations and needs, governing my suffering, while meeting me in the midst.
Serving His sovereign will for my life, suffering accomplishes His purposes while revealing His ultimate goodness.
the goodness of god in his love
At times, real suffering isolates us, causing feelings of abandonment. Often the first thoughts swirling in my mind center on wondering where God is in the situation.
Though my mind knows the promise of his Presence, (Deuteronomy 31:8), my heart fails in seeing the goodness of God in suffering because it feels distanced from the goodness of His love.
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
But the fullness of His nature is goodness and unfailing love which no suffering can quench nor divide asunder.
Resting in the unfailing foundation of His love positions me to trust Him in trial.
the goodness of god in suffering
Remembering in whatever place of suffering we travel; God draws a line our suffering simply cannot cross, brings a measure of comfort. Though many times I desired the line be drawn in another place, God’s goodness knows my needs exactly and meets me there.
A huge part of holding onto Hope in suffering, rests in our trusting God’s sovereign hand.
And a big part of trusting His sovereign hand lay in knowing His Word. During a recent struggle, the Holy Spirit led me to 2 Corinthians 4:8-15.
Four Things Suffering Cannot Do
“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”
Verses eight and nine fortify our hearts with four things suffering cannot do:
- Though pressed and troubled on every side, suffering cannot crush you.
- Though confused or perplexed, suffering cannot push you into despair.
- Though persecuted, suffering cannot cause God to abandon you.
- Though brought low or knocked down, suffering cannot destroy you.
God’s goodness in our suffering shines forth as these four things remind us suffering only accomplishes God’s will, in God’s way, for the length of time God allows.
Suffering Reflects Christ to Others
“We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.”
Verses ten through twelve shifts our perspective from one of our own singular sufferings to one which sees Christ reflected to others through our suffering.
God’s goodness in our suffering uses what seems purposeless, for a testimony of the redemptive power of suffering, through Christ.
Suffering Glorifies God
“It is written: I believed; therefore I have spoken. Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.”
Verses thirteen through fifteen reveal every death-like trial is only a prelude to an exhibition of resurrection power. Therefore, instead of despair, thanksgiving for the goodness of God extols His ultimate glory.
the goodness of god
Truly observing God’s goodness in the land of the living (Psalm 27:13) means we must choose seeing His goodness in our suffering.
Trusting God’s sovereign boundaries conforming suffering to His good purpose, we rest knowing suffering will never crush us, push us to despair, cause God to abandon us, or destroy us.
Instead, God’s goodness transforms our suffering into a testimony of Christ’s suffering, death, and resurrection, not only for our benefit, but for His grace to abound to others.
Ultimately, as we see the goodness of God in our suffering, thanksgiving overflows to the glory of God.
Donna, your words couldn’t have come at a better time. This reminds me, I have to tell you I have Trigeminal Neuralgia and it over takes me at times. Earlier this week I said “Jesus my head” and I can’t recall the verse that came to mind but I flipped it. I began to sing a Jesus song in my head and praised him through the pain. Sometimes our pain in whatever circumstance it is, is his purpose. While I don’t know the purpose of my pain I want to worship him through it.
Thank you so very much for sharing this with Sweet Tea & Friends this month dear friend.
Praise God for His impeccable timing! He always knows what we need when we need it. I am so sorry to hear you struggle with Trigeminal Neuralgia, we have seen many patients in our palliative clinic for that, and I know how hard it is to manage the pain. I know God has a purpose for all of our pain, and I pray you continue to find comfort through difficult times. Sending so much love to you today!
As a oncology/palliative care nurse of over 30 years, I too have seen my fair share of pain and suffering. Philip Yancy in his book “where is God when it hurts ” references Dr Paul Brand, an orthopedic surgeon who works with people who have leprosy, A disease that prevents one from feeling pain. But when you can’t feel pain, you can not enjoy the caress of a love one. We risk pain to experience love. Perhaps Jesus on the cross was reviewing all the people in His mind who would be save from a life of sin through His wonderful, selfless act of love. Henry Nouwen in his book “Wounded Healer” shows how we can minister to others through the areas we have been broken. Although no one likes pain, and we go to great lengths to alleviate our pain, there is a redemptive aspect to pain. In the end, there will be no further pain in heaven. As in the Lords prayer, My Gods will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Healing is a touch of heaven experienced down here on earth. Robert
Thank you Donna,
God is always with us, even in the most difficult of times. He never leaves us nor forsakes us, and He never allows anything to come our way that is beyond our capacity to endure. However, sometimes life can be so challenging and overwhelming that we may feel lost and hopeless, like the writer of Psalm 88. In these moments, it is important to remember that it is okay to acknowledge our struggles and to seek comfort and support from others. We were not meant to face life’s challenges alone, and our brothers and sisters in faith are there to offer a listening ear, a comforting hug, and a helping hand.
Lots of love,
Aritha
Aritha, I appreciate your thoughtful comments! Psalm 88 is a great Psalm for comfort in uncertain times. But you bring up a great point, we are not meant to go through life’s challenges alone! Praise God for community that helps us maintain Hope on the hard paths.
Amen! The question I ask myself is how can I allow God to use me to help alleviate someone else’s suffering? Focusing on someone else’s needs helps me ruminate less on what I’m going through.
Anita, I agree, I think sometimes the key to navigating our own suffering is to enter into someone else’s. Joining them on their journey to help bear their burdens somehow lightens ours!
Donna, viewing God’s goodness in concert with His sovereignty is a practice that has helped me through so many difficult seasons of life. I so appreciate your thoughts here, friend.
Lois, I couldn’t agree more! I have been clinging to God’s goodness while accepting His sovereignty in my mother’s sudden passing. Not being able to say goodbye or the things I would have liked to say is crushing at times, yet I must believe God’s goodness and sovereignty in this.
Thank you for this deep beautiful truth, Donna, “Trusting God’s sovereign boundaries conforming suffering to His good purpose, we rest knowing suffering will never crush us, push us to despair, cause God to abandon us, or destroy us. Instead, God’s goodness transforms our suffering into a testimony of Christ.”
Lisa, I am clinging to that truth in these difficult days of uncertainty and grief. God is so very faithful!
Donna, I love that suffering cannot crush us, push us into despair, or destroy us and that God will never abandon us.
Thank you for your encouragement..
Deborah, this was a very special and personal lesson God taught me this week! I praise Him for blessing you too!
Donna, this is such a beautiful encouragement this morning! Yes, even in the middle of difficult days, we can choose to see the goodness of God. And when we do, our response can only be to thank Him for being with us in all things. Thank you, my friend, for always bringing encouragement in a most gentle and sweet manner!
Joanne, praise God you found encouragement here today! I am truly blessed by God’s gentle ways with me, even when I stumble!