Why Is This Happening to Me?

I cannot count the number of times I have had a suffering person say to me, “If I knew why God is allowing this to happen, then I would be ok with it.”  We are always looking for the “why” in every negative situation. Why does God allow some of His children to endure heartache and sorrow? Are there some Christians who displease God and suffer punishment? Does God let the devil torment us? We are always looking for the reasons behind our pain.

As Christians, we understand and believe God is sovereign. I often remind my counselee’s that God is the sovereign God of the universe and He does what He wants with what is His. Even when we are holding tightly to that truth, we want to know the reasons behind our seasons of suffering.

"the God of all comfort comforts us in all our tribulations so that we may be able to comfort others with the same comfort which we are comforted of God." 2 Corinthians 2:3-7

I hear plenty of complaining from those who are in a time of trial. Their complaints center on how they are feeling about their suffering. Sometimes, the suffering person does not want to experience God’s comfort because they are angry that God does not magically end their discomfort.  He will comfort you in the midst of the situation.

God is working in the season of suffering. He is challenging you and changing you through your trials. God has a purpose and a plan in mind (Romans 8:28-29). James 1:2-4 teaches us that the end goal of your trials is spiritual maturity. Some of the greatest times of spiritual growth take place in the middle of horrible pain and suffering.  It is the crucible of refinement and it brings all the sinful garbage we have become so effective at hiding to the surface. When I am under pressure during a trial, my sin leaks out of the nooks and crannies of my sinful heart enabling me to see it and repent. I suspect this is why we are to welcome our difficulties as friends.

Take what you are experiencing and put it to use for the benefit of others. Our difficulties are not only for us, they are for those around us too.  Our friends, fellow church attenders and family members may one day encounter the same things you are facing today. What a blessing it would be to hear them say they modeled their response to trials after ours! How wonderful to be a picture of Christ-likeness to another suffering saint!

Take the long view of suffering and trials. God is living and He is active in the lives of His children. He will take your problems and your godly responses and make something beautiful out of them.