Was there a purpose for this pain

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see Hebrews 11:1

I remember standing in Target center on April 13th with tears flowing down my face as I tried to sing this song. I remember asking God the same question that was in this song- was there a purpose for my pain?   It is often the one question that either sends mankind down a path of deeper understanding of God or a path leading to doubt and uncertainty and anger toward God.

As I walk this great unknown

Questions come and questions go

Was there purpose for the pain?

Did I cry these tears in vain?

Because we live in a fallen world, tragedy is everywhere. When it happens, one often feels they are adrift in a stormy sea wondering if they will ever survive. Fear often fills the heart of man. Fear plus anger plus rejection of God sends them down a cascading slope of despair and doubt that there really is a God.

I knew I didn't want to live in fear.  I knew I couldn't isolate myself from those around me. I knew I  had to trust my Lord and Savior that he knew what to do with my pain. and  trust  Him while finding solace in God's word.

I don't want to live in fear

I want to trust that You are near

Trust Your grace can be seen

In both triumph and tragedy

When really bad things happen in this life, it gives me peace to look back to the day I received Jesus Christ as my Savior. I had to cling to the moment I prayed to receive this Savior at a small Christian coffee house in Minnetonka, Minnesota. The day I yield control of my life to Jesus. The day Jesus came in and spoke words of encouragement to my soul. I had to hang on to all those miracle moments of my life of Jesus rescuing me.

I have this hope

In the depth of my soul

In the flood or the fire

You're with me and You won't let go

I've seen Jesus bless our family when our children were sick, and I've seen him give us the strength when death took the lives of my parents and the life of our youngest child. Yet, I was filled with the hope of Christ as I grieved- the hope that God is alive and that one day we would see not only our loved ones but our living Savior.

But sometimes my faith feels thin

Like the night will never end

Will You catch every tear

Or will You just leave me here?

Despite the deepest pain, my God never lets me go. He is there with me every scorching step of the way. He gives me peace when I had none. He reminds me of Hebrews 1 of many who clung to their faith despite tragedy.

But I have this hope

In the depth of my soul

In the flood or the fire

You're with me and You won't let go

My God is my hope no matter what comes my way in this life. He gives me the hope I need as I grieve. He assures me that I will see my loved ones again. He will never let you go no matter what happens to you in this life. 

Yes, I have this hope

In the depth of my soul

In the flood or the fire

You're with me and You won't let go

So, whatever happens, I will not be afraid

Cause You are closer than this breath that I take

You…

The all quintessential question becomes- where is God when tragedy happens in your life. We must learn how to trust God not only when good things happen, but when those painful losses occur.  If you're struggling over the death of a loved one, I encourage you to consider attending a 13-week Grief share group near you. This group will teach you to go through the pain than around it. It will give you the tools to draw near to God. www.griefshare.org