The Pain in the Blessing

Scripture: Romans 8:28
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.

Observations:

Application:
Yesterday's message by Pastor Chris was one of the most powerful and profound I've ever heard.  Please watch it if you missed it yesterday.  It's such an important thing that hardly anyone ever talks about.  One of his main points in the message was when we say, "It's all good," that's a lie.  Here on this broken, troubled earth, everything isn't good.  We have a lot of pain.  And often time our pain comes in the process of an answered prayer.  He gave the example of Rachel who died giving birth to Benjamin, who was to be an answer to her long-time prayer.  That's so true isn't it?  That many times life comes along with death.  Growth walks right beside pain.

The pain, the brokenness, the heartache, the secrets, the shame… This is the part of our story we are afraid to tell-- either because we don't want to let people see our darkness or because we don't trust that God is working in those circumstances.  But here's the truth.  God works it all together for our good.  And what is ultimately good for us?  A life that glorifies Him!  And He is glorified when we tell the story of how He used our brokenness and turned it into something beautiful.

Pastor Chris asked the question, "What are you going to name it?"  Rachel wanted to name Benjamin "Ben-Oni" which means "Son of My Sorrow."  But Jacob named "Benjamin" which means "Son of My Right Hand."  Although he was in so much pain, having just lost Rachel, whom he loved so much, he didn't want Benjamin's entire life story to be hinged on his pain.  He wanted to give him a name that would recognize that he was a blessing, even though there was pain in the offering.

I think this resonated so strongly with me because acknowledging that things aren't all good all the time is comforting.  We so often hear Christians talk about being so blessed-- and we truly are-- but when that blessing is so often defined by a list of all the good that's happening, we start to wonder why we have so much pain sprinkled in with our blessings that others don't seem to have.  The truth is, we all have pain-- a lot of it.  But I am confident that God is going to use it as part of his good.  That's why I say that I am blessed.  Because being blessed doesn't depend on how many good things there are in my life.  And having pain and hurt doesn't mean I'm not.  Things may not be good.  But He is good.

We've got some stuff going on right now.  Who doesn't, right?  But in that circumstance, I've already seen God work.  He's removed masks and open the door for honest conversations.  He's revealed realizations to bring healing from past emotional wounds.  That doesn't mean I don't beg him to let this storm be over as soon as possible.  I do.  I want the pain to end.  But I already see how he is using it for his purpose.  And acknowledging his faithfulness in the pain brings hope to sustain me.

As it does so often, this song came to mind this morning-- especially the second verse.  No matter which seems to be dominating our circumstances at any given moment-- the good or the pain-- He is good.  His plan is good.  He is working it all together for our good.

Prayer:  Blessed by your name, Lord!  You are good all the time.  Thank you for everything you are doing in my life.  I trust that you have a plan for my circumstances and that you are working them all for your good.  Help me to use this to glorify you.  In Jesus' name!  Amen!