The Problem with Pain

 When we are in pain, it effects how we think and act. This is true of physical pain and emotional pain. It tends to make us concentrate on ourselves. All we want to know is how to get out of the pain. This is one reason we have so much illegal drug abuse and prescription drug abuse in our country. People just can't stand pain.

When God let Satan strike Job's body, and he gave him a terrible case of boils all over his body, Job was in horrible pain. It caused him to ask God why he had even been born. He even cursed the day of his birth. Then, his friend, Eliphaz spoke up. (Job 4:6,7) He said to Job, "Is your fear of God not your confidence, and the integrity of your ways your hope? Remember now, who ever perished being innocent or where were the upright destroyed?" These questions should make us think.

If we fear God, that should be our confidence. We should know that we know God, and He knows us. We should know that He loves us, and we belong to Him. Also, if we walk in integrity before God, we should know that God sees our ways, and He approves of our integrity as a believer. Therefore, when pain hits us, we should not doubt the goodness of God toward us.

Unfortunately, sometimes we let our pain cause us to forget God loves us and is watching over us. We are so focused on the pain we doubt that God can bring anything good out of our pain. However, God doesn't cause the innocent to perish. He doesn't allow the upright to be destroyed. Even if our pain leads to death, God is with us, and He will take care of us. We must not let our pain cause us to be negative, but we should stay focused on our righteous, loving God.

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Tomorrow, I intend to read Job 5-7.