Some people cry out “Why me, Lord?” when they experience times of trouble and heartache. The subtle or not so subtle thought is that God should have exempted them from whatever negative situation it is they are experiencing.
Jesus said that in this world we are going to have problems. He told those listening to Him in a very clear and straightforward manner which left no room for misinterpretation, “In this world you will have trouble” (John 16:33). If Jesus said we are going to have problems and trouble in life, we shouldn’t be surprised when it happens. The solution to the trouble isn’t to pray “Why me, Lord?” and be miserable over people and things we have no control. The solution is to give yourself and your circumstances to the Lord and trust Him with your life.
Trials and problems occur in life. We cannot prevent them. However, we can choose to trust God to help us grow and become the person He wants us to be as a result of what we experience.
I recently went through an extremely difficult time of which I am still experiencing the fallout. I was in a situation I did not want to be in. This situation involved another person who did not want what I wanted. I had no control over the decision he made. The decision he made changed my life and I will live with the consequences of his decision every day of my life until I leave planet earth.
In the early days of this overwhelmingly painful situation, I cried out to God, “Don’t let this pain be for nothing.” I knew that I could not blame God for the circumstances I was in because God gives humans free will. The other person was exercising his free will outside the boundaries God has designed and I knew that was not God’s fault. Nevertheless, this person’s choices were creating incredible pain for me. As a result, I prayed, “Lord, don’t let this pain be for nothing.” I realized that if God didn’t change me then the pain would be wasted and the circumstances would not bring glory and honor to God.
I continued to pray and sought God through every day of this situation. I am now fifteen months past the beginning of the most painful situation I have ever experienced and I can honestly say that my pain was not wasted. Did circumstances turn out the way I wanted them to? No. Even so, God is working in me in my new circumstances just like He was working in me in the old circumstances. God is delivering healing to my spirit, my emotions, and my thoughts. What Satan meant for evil God is working out for my good (Romans 8:28) in ways I couldn’t even imagine when I was lost in the pain and devastating feelings of what was happening.
What trouble are you experiencing? What pain cuts through your soul like a knife? Share it with God and ask Him to be the Lord over your pain (2 Corinthians 7:10). Ask Him to lead you through your journey of hurt. As He leads, follow. God may or may not change your circumstances, however, He can change you in the midst of the circumstances if you allow Him. Trust God to turn your mourning into comfort and joy (Jeremiah 31:13). It will take time, but God is able to heal the brokenhearted and save those who are crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18).
Scriptures
Jeremiah 31:13: I will turn your mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow. (New International Version)
Psalm 34:18: The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. (New International Version)
John 16:33: I have told you these things, so that in me you might have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. (New International Version)
2 Corinthians 7:10: For godly grief and the pain God is permitted to direct, produce a repentance that leads and contributes to salvation and deliverance from evil, and it never brings regret; but worldy grief (the hopeless sorrow that is characteristic of the pagan world) is deadly (breeding and ending in death). (Amplified Version)
