Pain Isn't Forever

Sometimes the only consolation in a tough season is the understanding that it will not last forever.

“Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings, I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by. I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me.” Psalm 57:1-2

God always makes use of our pain. There is no tear that we shed or plea that we cry out that He does not hold close and transform for His purposes at a later date. From the moment pain finds its way to us, He begins to stir something in us for His glory. When are we more like Christ than when we are suffering well?

Suffering is something we can all relate to because, in some way or another, we have all been in places of suffering. When I look through scripture and the life of Christ, I can’t help but see it as a common theme. David says in this psalm that He will “take refuge” in God’s wings until the destruction passes. More than that, however, David says he cries out to God because He knows that even though the destruction may be severe, God will fulfill His purpose in David’s life. God will use the pain.

May we take refuge not only in the One who will get us through the hard times but also in the One who will grow us and make use of the hard times. God is good. God is faithful to finish what was started in us. After all, it is God who started it. This is mercy.

a prayer:

My God,

strengthen me with thick skin, but not calloused skin. I need to feel, but not be ruined.

-L

*This post is an expert from my book, On Mercy.