A few years back, I heard a woman speak during a particularly difficult time in her life. She was suffering from a painful physical ailment, but still managed to smile and look on the bright side, as she often did. Though the reason for her present suffering was not clear, she nevertheless spoke of it as a "gift from God." Despite her pain, she was certain God had given her this "gift" for a reason.
As I listened to her speak, I couldn't help the feeling of discomfort that began to come over me. What kind of a God would give a "gift" like this to one of his children? Was it God who wrapped this bit of anguish in a pretty package and then smugly gave it to His helpless and unsuspecting child? Why must we place God in the middle of our sufferings as if to imply that He is the one responsible for them? Why don't we instead see a God whose heart is crushed by the terrible consequences of sin in this world and the suffering it has wrought on His children? Why don't we instead see a God who longs for the day when He will wipe every tear from our eyes? (Revelation 21:4) Why don't we instead see a God who intervenes in our lives not to cause destruction but rather to minister comfort (2 Corinthians 1:4), and somehow work in all things for good? (Romans 8:28)
Around the 6th century B.C., Jeremiah the Prophet wrote the book of Lamentations. Indeed, at the time of writing, there was much to lament about. The Holy City of Jerusalem had been destroyed, the temple furnishings pilfered, and the residents sent off in exile to Babylon. This was the final blow to a people who had endured a relentless two-year period of famine and suffering while the city was under siege. Now there was nothing left of their city or life as they knew it. Amidst this time of great sorrow, Jeremiah wrote words of mourning. Though the suffering was brought on by the sin of the people, Jeremiah hoped and prayed that they would someday be restored. His reason for hope was grounded in his knowledge of God's character:
For men are not cast off by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men. To crush underfoot all prisoners in the land, to deny a man his rights before the Most High, to deprive a man of justice--would not the Lord see such things? (Lamentations 3:31-36)
Did you get that? God does not "willingly" bring affliction or grief. While God may bring about discipline in our lives, even this is motivated by his love for us (Hebrews 12:5-11).
When we go through hard times, I think it's natural and right for us to ask whether or not we are being disciplined by our Heavenly Father. If there are areas of sin in our life, we would do well to confess them, knowing that God "is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9). Barring a time of correction, however, we should understand that such suffering is in all likelihood not from God, but from Satan. How insidious of the "Father of Lies" to confuse us into thinking that God is working for something other than good in our lives. Were this the case, however, it would violate God's own character! But don't just take my word for it. Listen to the words of Jesus:
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" (Matthew 7:7-11)
In a passing example given as part of the "Sermon on the Mount," Jesus reminds us that God is the giver of good gifts. James would later put it more directly:
Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (James 1:16-17)
Just as a father may give a gift to his child, God gives all the more to us as His children, meeting our needs (Philippians 4:19) and comforting us in times of trouble:
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. (2 Corinthians 1:3-5)
To view difficult times as a "gift from God" is to misunderstand God's work in this world and our lives. Indeed, God may choose to discipline us for a time as he did the people of Judah. But I would imagine that this happens less often than we might think. Peter tells us that God is "patient . . . not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). For our part, in times of affliction it would seem wise to consider carefully its source!
Are you going through a difficult time in your life? If so, know that the Father's heart is broken for you. He loves you as one of His precious children and wants to comfort you in your time of need.
As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust. (Psalms 103:13-14)
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)
Copyright © 1998 Tim A. Krell. All rights reserved. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version (NIV), Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.