One reader, however, expressed a prayer that many people probably pray every day: Please God don’t make it worse!
The Homecoming: A Story For Anyone Who Has Ever Lost His Way
The source of pain
The emotional anguish of one reader likely resonates in the hearts of many others. Why is it that life is so difficult for some, and so easy for others? Why isn’t life fair? Why is God doing this to me?
A sin problem
One reason that people feel like they are suffering at God’s hand is because they are.
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; (Romans 1:18)
God does not like sin. He wants everyone to repent, yet many do not. Therefore, God’s wrath is upon them. If your pain continues to increase, examine your heart. Have you repented of your sin? Have you ever trusted Jesus as your Savior?
Sin is still a problem
Those who believe are still subject to sin. Therefore, they must discipline themselves to resist it and live a confessed life.
Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. (Romans 6:12)
Even David attributed his pain to his sin:
Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins. (Psalm 25:18)
Those who allow sin in their lives are doomed to face the judgment of God until they confess their sin and repent of it.
Why?: Making Sense of God’s Will
Unknown pain
Sometimes we do not understand the source of our pain. Some situations may be like this:
- I pray. I confess. I repent. Still, God seems to do nothing positive in my life.
- No matter how close I try to draw to God, the pain only gets worse.
- God created pain. He created sin. He created me. I didn’t ask to be born, so why must I suffer?
We live in a framework that demands that we accept life as it is. We cannot explain why God created sin and then judges us for falling victim to it. We cannot explain why each person exists, nor why some have more success in life than others. We cannot explain why some of the most wicked and vile people on earth are the most prosperous while some of the most kind and sincere are poor. God made this world the way He wanted it. There is therefore nothing wrong with it.
The bottom line
To ask God not to make the pain worse seems to accuse God of being unjust. However, God is always right.
What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. (Romans 9:14)
Also, God specifically says that we have no right to question His operations.
Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? (Romans 9:20)
God has made some people for honor and others for dishonor. God hardened Pharaoh’s heart so that he could not believe, yet God allows others to repent.
Believers should grieve and mourn with those who are in pain. We are to help one another with the needs of life. We are to spread the Gospel to those all around us. However, we can’t relieve the pain of others and we can’t explain life to those who are most cursed by it.
But we can pray.
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