“Pain’s gift is that it increases awareness. Suffering heightens our sense of need and deepens our heart’s cry for help. While suffering hurts, a growing sense of God’s presence heals.”- Lina AbuJamra
Lina AbuJamra concludes Chapter 1 of Fractured Faith as she theorizes the root cause of her inability to see God in her pain. As a result, the author believes she’s looking for a god to show up in the way she wants him to. And to give her what she desires.
However, Lina explains, reality paints quite a different picture. She writes:
“The reality is that often we’re never as close to our Father as we are in our suffering. We’re never as alive to God’s purposes as we are when we suffer. . . . We just have to learn to live in awareness of God’s presence even in our pain — or especially in our pain.” (emphasis Lina’s)
Furthermore, Lina underscores, we receive God’s goodness in the midst of our pain. Consequently, God’s goodness isn’t meant to be proven by the absence of our pain.
Certainly, today may feel quite hopeless. Yet, no matter how deep that feeling is, light is on the way. Most significantly, Lina counsels, that has less to do with what you do. And everything to do with who God is. Although people try to placate you with well-meaning answers, you wage the battle with God. Hence, this conflict isn’t about them. Rather, it centers on you and this God you barely understand anymore.
In conclusion, Lina exhorts, the first step in reconstructing your faith involves telling the truth. And to tell the truth you need to find a safe place to tell your story. Like a therapist or trusted pastor or friend. Lina continues:
“You will find out that you are not alone in your pain, and that when you finally let it all out, God will still be right there, waiting for you. . . . If you feel like you’ve lost your grip on God, it’s okay to let go. Because when you finally let go, you’ll find that He still has His grip on you.”
Today’s question: Do you agree with Lina that pain’s gift increases awareness? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Come to Him with your longings”
