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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4 Comments
God and His Word, the Bible, are the best comfort that I have ever found. He directs me to someone or brings someone into my life to help comfort me, if they are needed. God loves me so much â¤
I really needed this lesson. I've been delivered a TRIPLE WHAMMY from Monday through this morning. First, a double whammy at work with two bloody freak injuries, and then, my precious best friend, my ex wife, having been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. I just felt like giving up. Reading this, I am reminded that the Lord is ALWAYS there. Do NOT ever think He isn't near in your time of darkness. He is ALWAYS listening. When you have storms in your life, He is there to comfort, to love, to hold, and so much more. The Holy Spirit said, HEY! You are forgetting something here. Turn to your Heavenly Father. He wants to take your pain away. Trust in Him, He will do whatever it takes to comfort. NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD. Thank You for this beautiful lesson.
I feel closer to GOD than ever. Each day GOD shows His Love and Mercy. I've realize how very much I look to The FATHER for Everything. PRAISE JESUS !
Thank you jesus FOR ANOTHER day and EVERYDAY and Always and Waking US ALL up again every morning and FOR your Blood and PROTECTION and Healing hands and worship and MERCY and GRACE and Strength and goodness and Blessing and Thank FOR sharing this POWERFUL prayer message with US ALL on this morning VERY MUCH Appreciated in jesus name Amen HAVE A WONDERFUL Blessed Day Amen ðŸ™âœï¸â¤ðŸ™