Eight-year-old K was in a severe amount of pain for days, which was exacerbated by many needle pokes, IVs and frightening procedures. Early in the process (the day we ended up at the emergency room and he hadn’t eaten for 14 hours) he began asking, “Why is this happening to me?” His real question was, “If God is all-powerful, why is He allowing this to happen to me?”
A week later K sat on his hospital bed and talked to our pastor about this very question. Our pastor told him that Christians suffer for many reasons. We suffer in order to prove whether we will still love God, even during hard times. We suffer as a witness to the world, as they see that we handle our trials differently than non-Christians do. We endure painful trials in order to share in Christ’s sufferings. God also allows trials to bring out the love of the church.
I asked K if he still trusted God in spite of what God was allowing in his life, or if he felt angry and bitter toward God. He assured me that he loved and trusted God very much, and that he wasn’t angry. He said if he could see God at that moment, he would want to give God a big hug.
I was able to encourage him that his attitude was a sign of the Holy Spirit’s work in his life. Just recently in family devotions we were reading about how a good tree bears good fruit and a bad tree bears bad fruit.
“By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.” Matthew 7: 16-18
It was encouraging to both of us to see how the Lord enabled K to be brave, and to maintain a good attitude even when he was suffering.
It was even more encouraging to see K prove himself faithful, and to see his love for the Lord deepen during trial, just as mine did.
Wow, to ask why while still trusting. That is the child-like faith we’re all called to. Your whole family has been a tremendous witness to God’s unfailing hand in your lives. Blessings to you, and plenty of rest.
Deb
Molly, I was just discussing trials yesterday with a friend of mine. She reminded me that God designs our trials specifically for us, in order to effect the most change in us, conforming us to the image of His dear Son. Knox is well on his way to understanding that, praise God!
We just read Matthew 11 this morning, and were reminded that His “yoke is easy” and His “burden is light”! I am teaching my children that they should expect trials and not think it strange that they should suffer. The key to growth in grace is to learn to embrace the trials, seeking God’s face, and asking Him to do His work in us, no matter what it takes, or how much pain it entails. Even adults have trouble with this, so it is a blessing when we witness children who understand this.
Blessings,
Janet