In Other Words: Is the pain worth it?

“We’re not necessarily

doubting

that God will do the best for us;

we are wondering how

painful

the best will turn out to be.”

~ C.S. Lewis

Yes, I’ve wondered many times why life is often so painful, not just in my life, but all around me. I’ve often said to my husband “I can’t go through this again . . . I would never make it” . . . but what if . . . what if God says He wants another one of my children early . . . or a grandchild someday? I had similar fears when my husband was so sick in the spring.

I’ve often asked God why . . . but I’ve seen Him use the painful times that hit rock bottom for His glory. I’ve seen Him use the darkest ashes for His full beauty. I know that there will be souls in heaven because the deaths of my two children. MaryBeth Chapman (wife of Steven Curtis Chapman) who lost their daughter just over a year ago in an accident in their driveway wrote, “Maybe life gets hard at times so we just stop for a moment and realize we are not home yet.  Our eternal home awaits us!  Good news for the weary!“ For me, as I think of the deepest painful times, it’s not the end. Eternity is around the corner. If pain means bring more to Christ, for us to shine more for Jesus, then I can say with the song writer, “It will be worth it all when we see Jesus, one glimpse of His dear face, all sorrow will erase. . .”

Some close friends of ours have gone through very rough financial times. They nearly lost their home, but at the last minute the mortgage company offered to remortgage their house for $30,000 less than they owed, with no penalties. Before this, they were anticipating to get a job as camp directors at a very large camp in Michigan. They were sure they were going to get it as it fit them in every way, and it would have included a house to live in. But the job was never offered to them. The house got remortgaged which was a blessing they had not anticipated.  It was not something they were “looking” for and they were disappointed in not getting the job.  Then the puzzle pieces were put together.  Last week they found out that the camp they wanted to work at was closing. Not only would they have lost a job, they would not have had a place to live. It would have all been gone. It was a painful time they went through, and it’s still hard, financially,  but they see that the painful time was worth it, to prevent even harder times now.  God knew . . . . He had all the puzzle pieces lined up ready to put in place as they allowed Him.

But He knows the way I take:

When He has tried me,

I shall come forth as gold.
~ Job 23:10

That process of coming forth as gold is painful and we don’t know how hot the fires will have to be until the process is finished.  But I see glimpses of eternity through it, and even through the tears, we cannot lose our focus.  God’s there and He truly wants the best for us.

This week we have a new guest hostess, Jennifer who shared the quote at the top of this post and is writing on it on her blog, Scraps and Snippets.   Be sure to visit her site and the links to the other women who have shared on this quote. Then come back here on Friday, for next Tuesday’s new quote for In ‘Other’ Words. Be blessed.

~ by Loni on June 30, 2009.