Navigating Unpleasant Seasons 2

By Ifeoluwa Fatoki

Devotional Reading: “All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, He brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 MSG

Yesterday, we concluded that we must never forget that God is good regardless of the happenings around us. We will take it further today.

Not only is life punctuated with unpleasant experiences, they are also often unexpected. Yet, we must remember that God wastes no pain, and that there is a purpose for everything that He allows. The experience of Paul affirms this.

Do you see the purpose of pain in that text? Well, the first is so that we can know that God is there for us. God never intends us to go through unpleasant moments alone. Our trying times are His tools of triumph.

Secondly, God now uses our pain as a platform to reach others. As a result of our experiences and His intervention, we become witnesses, bringing comfort to others. So don’t wish your pains away or waste them. God’s comfort is available, seek it and let it flow to others through you.

Let me close with the words of Max Lucado, “God does not manufacture pain, but He certainly puts it to use.” Blessed be God.

Prayer and Confession
Father, thank You because You are good in all things and You continually work all things together for my good.

Further Reading: Romans 8:28-39