Stronger at the Broken Places




 

 


During the last few weeks many people I’ve talked with seem to have incredible problems. A question I get often is "where is God in all this?"


In developing a strategy to deal with this pain, we need to first of all establish one clear fact: everyone suffers! The world we are told about in fairy tales, where people marry and live happily ever after is a Utopian dream. It is a fabricated place that exists only in our imaginations. Suffering is a part of life for everyone.


Death is real, people go hungry, marriages fall apart, friendships disintegrate, dreams evaporate, hopes vanish, people reject each other, people fight each other, children run away from home, families don’t speak and the bottom falls out and people don’t know why. The hurt can stoop a person’s shoulders and buckle his knees.


David said in Psalm 55:4-7, "My heart is in anguish within me. The terrors of death have fallen upon me. Fear and trembling come up in me and horror overwhelms me and I say ‘oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.’"


I’ll bet you feel a little like that at times, like it would be so much easier to run away from the overwhelming responsibilities, to run from problems at home, to run from school, to run from a spouse, or a parent, or even God.


But, run where? There is nowhere in life where suffering cannot touch us.


The question is not, "will we suffer?" The question is, "how will we handle the hurt when it comes?" Some people ask, "Where is God when children have to suffer?" If He is all-powerful and does not prevent suffering, then He is not all-loving. If He wants to prevent suffering but cannot, then He is not all-powerful.


There are a few things we need to understand. God does not cause suffering. James 1:13 says God never tests a man with evil. Our suffering is also God’s suffering. He’s not enjoying heavenly bliss while we go alone. God suffers, too. He cares what happens to us.


God does not cause suffering, but God uses suffering. He uses it for our personal growth and development.


Remember Romans 8:28. Does it say, "all things work together for good?" No, the text says, "in all things, no matter how bad or hurtful, God works for our good." Suffering can make us bitter or it can make us better.


It all depends on our point of view. If we think God is angry with us and is punishing us, we will probably get bitter.


If we see the hurt as allowed by a Father who loves us enough to allow us to go through difficult times to help us become the kind of a person He knows we can be, then we’ll grow. We’ll get better instead of bitter.


Over the years all of us have suffered. All of our hearts have been broken. But broken hearts are what give us strength, sensitivity, understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is sterile and pristine and will never know the joy of being imperfect. Faced gracefully we will be "stronger at the broken places."


The Rev. Jon Wilson lives in Calabasas and is the senior pastor of Canoga Park Presbyterian Church, 22103 Vanowen, Canoga Park. You may hear him speak on Sundays at the 9:30 a.m. worship service and contact him at Jonwclergy@aol.com. Call the church office for more information at (818) 883-3510.


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