WHERE IS GOD WHEN I'M IN PAIN?

Isaiah 63:9 - "In His love and mercy He redeemed them; and He lifted them and carried them all the days of old" WHERE IS GOD WHEN I'M IN PAIN? - Children periodically need painful immunizations. Often they do not understand that while these immunizations hurt, they often protect from serious diseases. From their point of view, the doctor is assaulting them - and someone who loves them is allowing it! Such an experience gives us a little insight into God's dealings with His own children. It helps to answer one of the questions we often ask when something painful happens to us: where is God? Do you remember your earthly father restraining you do the doctor could administer the painful injection? Perhaps you recall him saying that the experience hurt Him more than it did you. To a young mind, such an action seems utterly incomprehensible, but when we have children of our own, we grasp it clearly. Then we begin to understand what kind of Father we really have. He Himself enters into all our agony, and He has tasted our cup of suffering (Hebrews 2:17,18; 4:14-16). So where is God when we suffer? He is where the pain is. God does not pick up and leave us when the hard times come; instead, He is right there with us, ever mindful of the pain we endure. But not only does God feel for us, He also acts on our behalf - even when we don't know it. As you face adversity, look into the Savior's tear-stained face - you won't see anything but love. If we would follow Jesus, we must bear the fellowship of His suffering. Paul reminds us, "For to you it has been granted for Christ's sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake" (Phil. 1:29). Yet in our affliction is one of the sweetest places to find Him because not only do we experience His freedom, but also His resurrection life in us.