64. PAIN – GOD’S TOOL FOR OUR SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT
(The Faith Forum Series – Batch 3)
Life: To most, it promises a mix of pleasure and of pain. I have come to realize over the years though and even from my own experiences, that when it comes to processing his children, God does not use pleasure. He uses pain.
As much as we do not welcome this, God has made it clear in his Word that his ways are not our ways. Isaiah 55:8-9 states, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways. “
While as humans, we have a tendency to be earthly-focused and to prioritize and seek the things we think will bring us the most comfort, God’s priority is was and will always be on his Kingdom, eternity and the spiritual growth and development of his children, so that they will resemble the Lord Jesus Christ in character and conduct.
To a child of his that has an issue with forgiveness therefore or bitterness, envy, gossiping, selfishness, pride, boastfulness, malice, self-centredness, vanity, backbiting, rebellion against authority, love of money, a flawed sense of self-perfection and condescension, self-righteousness or whatever else does not resemble the Lord Jesus Christ, we can trust that God will see to it that he works on that individual (usually through pain), to rid him or her of that way.
It matters not who the Christian is what position he or she occupies or what he or she has achieved thus far in life. No one is exempt. Whenever we go off course or there is need for us to reach a new level of spiritual growth and development, God sends his lessons by allowing chastenings, afflictions and adversity. It reaches EVERYONE OF US because it is an essential tool that he uses in our lives.
Hebrews 12:11 states of chastening, “Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.”
The Bible says that for those that are his, He is the author and finisher of their faith. He processes us through pain and throughout our life experiences, performs surgery on our hearts.
While his methods may be painful (often times I have told him I wish that he would use more lenient means in my processing), he puts us through affliction because he loves us is faithful to us and committed to our spiritual growth and development. See, this world is not our home and he is preparing us for heaven.
Romans 8:28-29 states: “And we know that ALL THINGS work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to HIS purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate TO BE CONFORMED TO THE IMAGE OF HIS SON, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.”
(Written on 20th December, 2017)
Dear Reader, if you found the above Article useful, informative or interesting, then you may be interested in reading the following:
- Note 2 – ‘The Fivefold Purpose Of Suffering’
- Note 4 – ‘Musings From The Pit – Praise Your Way Out’
- Note 5 – ‘Facing Adversity? Go Through It’
- Note 25 – ‘Arm Yourself – Suffering Is Part Of The Christian’s Story’
- Note 70 – ‘The Pain I Felt In My Series Of Pit Experiences’
Additional Note under ‘BROKEN Daughters of God’ Page:
- Note 21 – ‘The Blessing Of Brokenness’
Additional Note under ‘COURTONG OR ENGAGED Daughters of God’ Page:
- Note 35 – ‘Beauty, The Oil Of Joy And The Garment Of Praise’
