We are in the second week of our series called “Unexpected.” God wants to use all the circumstances of our lives to draw us closer to him, especially the unexpected problems and pain we experience. While we cannot plan for the unexpected, we can prepare for it. 

This week, we are looking at how people who grow in times of unexpected crisis know that the presence of pain and suffering neither makes God a liar nor is an argument for his non-existence. Suffering does raise all kinds of questions about why a good God allows pain to happen. It does force us at times to wrestle with God on why he allows some people to suffer more than others — but pain, suffering, and injustice do not negate an all-good and all-powerful God. 

Throughout Scripture, we see an acknowledgment that the pain and injustice in this world is a problem. Over and over again, God sees the pain and the suffering and wrongs and sends his servants to do something about it: Moses, Gideon, David, the prophets, and, ultimately, his Son Jesus Christ. 

Ask God to help you remember that he is not ambivalent to our pain and suffering. He is not surprised. He sees it and takes it upon himself on the cross.