God’s Hand in the Midst of Suffering

Not too long ago, my life’s trajectory was propelled down a rocky crag. Upon being flung, I attempted to tuck and roll while trying not to panic, but the effects of the rugged and steep cliff cast me in the gaping Valley of Brokenness. It was not the route I was undertaking while proceeding to the summit, so naturally I had two decisions: wallow in self-pity or nurse my wounds with care and forge upwards again. Knowing myself, I would likely cry acutely but I refused to take the route of Thor in Avengers: End Game.

Preparation

Unbeknownst to me, several years ago, God was preparing me for that plunging descent. It was not by His hands which I was injured but He allowed circumstances in such a way that would mean I needed great preparation. A deep desire to be emerged in His Word, to sing His praises and to listen to mighty men exegete Scripture was growing. I can confirm James 4:8, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to God. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded,” because the more I drew near, the more I discovered my depravity and His deep His love for me. As I honestly sought Him, He revealed Himself and His promises.

Undoubtedly, this preliminary perfect provision cocooned me down that crag but I did not plummet completely unscathed. Were I to have been lobbed over the side of that cliff four years prior, I likely would be an ugly, revengeful, confrontational, unkind, vindictive, jealous, and foolish person today. The pain from the inflictor’s hands would have crushed me.

But as it is, I live and breath in thankfulness for that very sinful turn of events. Most people, in retrospect, say they wouldn’t change a thing. For the most part, I can understand that opinion. Would I have rather avoided altogether? Yes. Resoundingly yes! The unforeseen forfeit would be the loss of the sweet gifts God unsheathed. I would not have God nearer to me than ever, nor would I have been a faithful spouse, parent, child and friend. Most importantly, I would not be carrying hopefulness, joy and peace. I’ve learned well from others’ mistakes, which has aided in avoiding consequential self-inflicted ramifications. However, in God’s sovereignty, this new heart-rending calling was to be drunk. And it was drunk. All. the. way. down. to. the. dregs.

My Depravity in the Midst of Suffering

I found myself often praying, Father, if Thou art willing, remove this cup from me; yet not my will but Thine be done. God’s will was for me to descend, so that, in glorious array, He would equip me to ascend. I was not saying my life’s circumstances were comparable to Christ Jesus dying for the sins of His people. What I was saying was that I wanted God to honor my will over His. “My hurt is too great. You’ve received enough glory. Please put this to an end so that my anguish will cease because my relief triumphs Your glory.” When I came to understand the reality of my sinfulness in my prayer, I wept. How dreadfully appalling and humiliating for me to concede this depraved thought. And remember, “I found myself often praying” that prayer.

God’s Goodness

In His goodness, God did not answer the way I desired. In His goodness, God did not answer Christ’s prayer in the way the God-man desired at that moment. Frankly put, God’s will includes burdensome happenings to shape His people because we are the work of His hand. Our finite and scrutable minds are reminded of this fact in Scripture:

• “But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use?” Romans 9:20-21 ESV
• “Woe to the one who quarrels with his Maker – An earthenware vessel among the vessels of the earth! Will the clay say to the potter, “What are you doing?” Or the thing you are making say, “He has no hands?” Isaiah 45:9
• “But now, O LORD, Thou art our Father, We are the clay, and Thou our potter; And all of us are the work of Thy hand.” Isaiah 64:8

“Who are you O man?” That verse strikes fear in my heart. What a scathing rebuke.

Man’s Chief End

The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever, so we must trust His wisdom. Drink down His ways to the dregs, beloved. “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time.” Not only will He lift you up, but He advises how this comes about in the very next verse, by “casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” Peter’s first epistle continues to explain that the enemy, who prowls about, is seeking for someone to destroy. But we are to resist him knowing other brothers and sisters in Christ have experienced the same trials. After suffering a little while, the God of grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.

Accordingly, humbling leads to obedience, obedience leads to suffering and suffering leads to establishment in the kingdom of God! What could be better? Establishment does not come by the wide path. Suffering is guaranteed in the lives of God’s people – we must master this fundamental truth. If you’re tempted to look at others and see a lack of God’s hand, do not be mistaken. God’s will is happening in their lives as well. (A future article will speak on this topic.) Suffering and God’s sovereignty go hand and hand. Glorify God in your calling by being obedient to His commands.

Remember God’s Ways

“My thoughts are not your thoughts, Neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.” This passage from Isaiah 55:9-10 reveals God’s poignant decrees will not be comprehendible because they are higher. Knowing that, we must walk steadfastly forward and seek Him every step of the way.

My determined fall, drew me time and again to these verses:

• “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 (emphasis added)
• “For this is contained in Scripture: “BEHOLD, I LAY IN ZION A CHOICE STONE, A PRECIOUS CORNER stone, AND HE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.” 1 Peter 2:6

These two passages are applicable for every Christian, regardless of their situation. This includes horrific acts, unimaginable pain, job loss, death of a parent, cancer in a child, abandonment from a spouse, loss of home, domestic violence, withering mental state, drug addiction, car accident, political scandal, persecution, betrayal and a thousand more circumstances. None of these are without the Father’s notice and we should be very careful not to attribute evil to Him. Romans 8:28 and 1 Peter 2:6 breathed hope into what seemed like a hopeless situation. God is good. Often times, in a despairing moment, these words crooned from the depths of my heart to defeat the pangs of grief.

God is to be Trusted

Those full-toned notes were gifts from the good Father.

As John Piper stated in His sermon, “Even if you had the very best father, you still have a good thing coming. God is ten thousand times better than your good father. The difference between a good earthly father and a bad earthly father is a millimeter, but the difference between God and the best earthly father is infinite.” A thousand times better!

Do not attribute evil to God because of the circumstances. Job reminds us, by way of his wife, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips” Job 2:10. Trust God for the favor and the affliction.

Any attempt to control our situations/circumstances is because we’ve allowed our unbelief to hold us hostage. Success is found through counteracting the clenching grasp of unbelief with daily cross-bearing. This is produced only through habit-forming obedience. We will not trust God without succumbing our will to His. In the midst of suffering, fashioning our hearts to trust God will be a thousand times better than anything your earthly father, or your own volition, could produce.

Last Thoughts

As Thomas Brooks wisely composed, Keep up precious thoughts of God under the sourest, sharpest, and severest dispensations of God to you. Share on X This quote gave me the kick when I needed it most. No matter the dispensation, always keep precious thoughts of God. I needed that exhortation to remember that my situation does not change God’s goodness.

Whether your life is recovering from a fall like mine, cascading from the summit, or befuddled from a dinky stone on the path, do not lose hope. Swim in His Word, draw near to Him and trust that His will is preeminently better than any thing you could conceive. Obediently work as He prepares you and shout joyfully as He delivers You.

“Christian joy is not the absence of trial or trouble; it is a deep peace and confidence in the midst of trial or trouble.” (W. W. Wiersbe)

Piper, John. “He Is Better Than Our Best Dads.” Desiring God. November 23, 2018. https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/ask-your-father-in-heaven/excerpts/he-is-better-than-our-best-dads.
Brooks, Thomas. The Complete Works of Thomas Brooks: Volume 1. 1866. http://google.cat/books?id=64MaAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&vq=man%27s&output=html_text.
Wiersbe, Warren, W. Abide. 1977. 10Publishing. 2016.