But God: The Power of Hope When Catastrophe Crashes InShembull

A person’s greatest need is not physical healing but spiritual healing. We obviously want both, and Christians ultimately get both in heaven, but on earth we don’t always get the physical healing we desire. . . . I try not to let my pain define me. Instead, I want God to use my pain as a reminder and a motivator. A reminder that this world is not our home, and a motivator to live each day as if it could be our last to advance the gospel. God alone can bring purpose to our pain. Our role in the big picture, as God unfolds His will for our lives, is to go to the hard place where Jesus went. When Jesus was praying in the garden of Gethsemane, he poured out His heart. Jesus said, “If it is possible, let this cup pass from Me” (Matt. 26:39 nkjv). What was the cup? It was the cup of suffering. He was essentially saying, “If there be any other way, let this suffering pass from Me. Yet, not My will, but Your will be done.” I think you finally know you are where God wants you to be in life when you can genuinely say, “God, I want Your will to be done.” That is a hard place to get to because God’s will is often different from what we would want or choose, but His will is always best. Prayer Father, I believe that Your will is what is best for me. Please help me to lean on that knowledge when I am struggling through trials, and may Your will always be done. Amen.