In Your Pain, God Is Near
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:18)
C.S. Lewis once said, “Pain is the megaphone of God, where He whispers to us in our pleasures, He shouts to us in our pain.” There is much truth in this statement. Have you noticed that it only takes the smallest amount of pain for God to get our attention? All you have to do is have a problem with one of your kids, a problem with one of your friends, a problem at the office, or a physical problem with yourself; and you immediately run to God for help and comfort. We respond more quickly to God when we are in pain than at any other time.
This quick response to pain has been a common thread among Christians throughout history. Take Jonah for example. After the Lord made it clear to Jonah that he should preach in Nineveh, Jonah ran the other way, trying to escape his calling. As we know, his getaway plan failed miserably, and he ended up in the belly of a whale. While he was inside the whale, he began to pray, reminding himself of God’s past faithfulness and asking God to deliver him from this terrifying circumstance.
As He promises in Psalm 34:18, the Lord stayed close to Jonah and saved him from the whale. Like God was faithful to Jonah in his time of pain and fear, He will be faithful to you in your trying season, as well. No matter what you are going through, no matter how badly you have been hurt, and no matter how disappointed, upset, and confused you are; the Lord is close to you.
As you navigate a season of sadness, I pray you will allow that sadness to point you upward rather than turn you inward. When you are tempted to keep to yourself, and withdraw from God and the people around you, I encourage you to draw near to your Heavenly Father. He is always there, always faithful, and always has your best interest at heart.
C.S. Lewis once said, “Pain is the megaphone of God, where He whispers to us in our pleasures, He shouts to us in our pain.” There is much truth in this statement. Have you noticed that it only takes the smallest amount of pain for God to get our attention? All you have to do is have a problem with one of your kids, a problem with one of your friends, a problem at the office, or a physical problem with yourself; and you immediately run to God for help and comfort. We respond more quickly to God when we are in pain than at any other time.
This quick response to pain has been a common thread among Christians throughout history. Take Jonah for example. After the Lord made it clear to Jonah that he should preach in Nineveh, Jonah ran the other way, trying to escape his calling. As we know, his getaway plan failed miserably, and he ended up in the belly of a whale. While he was inside the whale, he began to pray, reminding himself of God’s past faithfulness and asking God to deliver him from this terrifying circumstance.
As He promises in Psalm 34:18, the Lord stayed close to Jonah and saved him from the whale. Like God was faithful to Jonah in his time of pain and fear, He will be faithful to you in your trying season, as well. No matter what you are going through, no matter how badly you have been hurt, and no matter how disappointed, upset, and confused you are; the Lord is close to you.
As you navigate a season of sadness, I pray you will allow that sadness to point you upward rather than turn you inward. When you are tempted to keep to yourself, and withdraw from God and the people around you, I encourage you to draw near to your Heavenly Father. He is always there, always faithful, and always has your best interest at heart.
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