Purpose in the Pain

For the past two years, our friend Bob has undergone rigorous, debilitating chemo to fight the cancer that is plaguing his body. It’s taken a toll physically and emotionally, but he has this to say about it:

“Don’t ask God to take you out of the pain. Ask Him to bring you through it. The pain makes you focus on what’s really important. . . Not that I like it.”

How often would we avoid struggles if at all possible? We don’t like them. But if we could see them as Bob does, they will have eternal value.

That’s how the Apostle Paul saw his struggles too. In his second letter to the Corinthians, he talked a lot about his struggles.

In chapter 11, he provided some of the specifics of the horrible experiences he endured:

I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea,  I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers.  I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 2 Cor. 11:23-27

But his perspective was an eternal one. He made a choice on what to focus on, on what was really important:

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Cor. 4:17-18

And because of that, he saw both the present and eternal benefits, the strength that comes from knowing his weakness allowed God to be strong in him:

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Cor. 12:9-10

When we face opposition, health crises, financial hardship, family turmoil, or other problems, can we, like Bob, ask God to bring us through it rather than take us out of it? Can we seek God’s plan in the midst of the mess? Not that we like it. . .but can we look for the value in it? Can we see that His grace is sufficient? Because then, like Paul, we can say, “when I am weak, then I am strong!”