Why The Hurt?

by Bud Lambert

In 1987 a neurologist in Little Rock, Arkansas told me that I have multiple sclerosis, a chronic disease of the central nervous syslem. To say the least, my life was turned upside down. I can still remember the emotional parin of the initial news and the pain in seeing the affect the news and the pain in seeing the affect the news had on my family. My mind filled with questions. Some I had never asked before. One of my questions was "Why do hurtful thfngs happen to God's people?" I went to God for answers.

One answer is in James 1 :2-4. Here God says he allows his children to be tempted so we can develop the patience necessary to grow and mature spiritually. As a child of God we can rejoice in our pain, because we know God is molding our life so we can become a more useful servant.
Another answer is in Hebre is 12:1-13. The Hebrew writer explains that God allows painful things to occur in Christian's lives as a way of disdplining us. God only disdplines those he loves and those he has received as children (vs. 5-8). His discipline is perfect. He gives us exactly what we need! The reasons for his discipline are as follows: 1. so we can have a meaningful life (v. 9); 2. "for our profit" (v. 10); 3. "that we might be partakers of his holiness" (v. 10); and 4. sdfwe can experience "the peaceable fruit of righteousness" (v. 11).
Another answer is in 1 Peter 1:6-9. Peter explains that God allows His children to experience painful times so we can develop a more intimate relationship with Him. Painful times try our belief (knowledge and understanding) about God and
our relationship with Him. We ask questions never.before asked. I When we go to His word to find answers to our questions
( Romans 10:17), our knowledge and understanding of God and our relationship with Him increases and any misbeliefs are discovered. With. this stronger, purer, improved faith we can then become better servants of God that will result in "praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ" ( 1 Peter 1:7).
Praise God! He's my father! I'm his son!