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No Pain No Gain

    When you are experiencing any amount of pain, our first thought is never about how great it is. We avoid pain at all cost and dread experiencing it. So naturally when we are experiencing pain it feels as though God has completely abandoned us. We yell at Him for not answering our prayers and for letting us go through those valleys, but we need to change our outlook.

    There are many reasons God allows us to go through painful circumstances. One of the biggest reasons is to test our faith. Do we really believe that He will do what He said He will do even when destruction seems imminent? He always comes through for us when we trust Him, but we have to recognize that His perfect timing is not the timing we would have in mind for ourselves-- He is beyond our tiny vantage point. Like the pain of strengthening your muscles in a work out, He allows us to experience discomfort to strengthen our faith.

    Another reason that I want to mention is that He is saving your from further pain. Have you ever considered that? Jesus makes our paths straight. That doesn't mean we won't mess up, it means He will fix it when we do. Breaking up with someone who isn't right for you hurts, but what would hurt more is to get divorced later down the line. Jesus often allows things to fall apart so better things can fall together.

    If you are experiencing pain-- good. Without it you cannot strengthen your faith. Or maybe the place you're in now is actually Jesus sparing you from worse heartache in the future. Trust Him to make good on the pain of this world like only He can.


2 Corinthians 5:7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. (ESV)

Proverbs 3:6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (NIV)

Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. (NLT)

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