Theme:  It Would Take a Miracle . . . To Heal This Wound

Weekend Music links on iTunes: No Not One - Brandon Heath, Holding Nothing Back - Tim Hughes, Lead Me to the Cross - Hillsong, God Is With Us - Mercy Me

Read: John 9:1-3; Genesis 50:20

Think:  As I have mentioned this week, I often question the pain that I go through. If I have more pain than someone else am I less of a Christian?  If I have less pain than someone else, am I a better Christian? 

Pastor Ben addressed this on Sunday when he said “Pain cannot be compared to pain”. We are only able to see from a very limited viewpoint. There is no way for us to see the big picture of how all the pieces or experiences of life will fit together. One of the examples he used was the life of Joseph. Joseph had done everything right and lived his life with integrity and yet ended up sold as a slave and eventually thrown into prison. I am sure that it must have been difficult for him to see God’s plan through all of his pain. I am also convinced that there is no way he could have known that one day he would be in a cold dark prison and the next he would be second in command in Egypt. However, at some point Joseph was able to see with greater clarity. He said to his brothers who had betrayed him, “You intended to harm me but God intended it for good…”

Sadly, I am afraid I would not have been so quick to forgive.  God still has a lot more work to do in me.  I truly am very much a “work in progress”. I still need to learn not to compare the pain in my life to that of others because I don’t know what Gods plan is and I am often unable to see what He is doing in me in the midst of my pain. 

Similarly pain is not always indicative of wrong choices or straying off course. In John 9:1, Jesus’ disciples saw a blind man on the street and asked,

“Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.” 

Sometimes God allows pain into our lives so that His power can be revealed. 

Do: Know that God will use the pain and suffering in your life to make you a better follower of Christ and to help you grow closer to him. Resist the temptation to compare your pain with others and to judge others by their pain. Trust God to work His plan for your life. 

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, I ask you help me to be empathic and understanding when it comes to the pain others experience. Help me to not pass judgment as to why they are experiencing pain. And when it is me who is experiencing pain, may it cause me to trust you more and draw me closer to you. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.

4505 236th Ave. NE • Redmond, WA 98053 • 425-869-4400 • info@timberlakechurch.com