Last Wednesday I told you that I've discovered that, even though the Bible predicts it, many Christians are unprepared for When Suffering Enters Their Door. I wrote specifically on The Trap of Worry and how we will be tempted to question the presence of our Lord.
Today I want to finish my three-part series of suffering and write to you about The Trap of Envy. In the middle of suffering, you're at risk of falling into believing that God sometimes gets a wrong address.
If doubt questions the goodness of God, and worry questions the presence of God, then envy questions the wisdom of God. You will think, "Could God actually have meant this for me?"
We proclaim on Sunday that God is wise, but we question His decisions and live in fear of the unknown. We look around at other people and see what they have - or don't have, in the case of suffering - and wish that God was just a little bit smarter.
If the Lord was truly wise, He would have known that what I'm suffering through wasn't the best thing for me. We would never claim to believe that theology in public, but those thoughts will run through our brain and seep into our heart.
You see, envy declares that you would make a better ruler than the Ruler of the universe. The Bible declares that to be false; there are dozens of stories in the Bible - and in your own life - that prove that the world is better off in the hands of God than in the hands of man.
What have these past 3 weeks been about? Remembering the character of God in the middle of pain. When suffering enters your door, you'll be tempted to throw everything you say you believe out the window and respond with Gospel amnesia.
I've been there. When my daughter had a life-threatening accident, I questioned the Lord's goodness, presence, and wisdom.
I don't write this as a suffering expert, but I've experienced His beauty in the midst of ugly suffering. If you know these 3 traps are out there, you'll be better prepared for When Suffering Enters Your Door
God bless
Paul David Tripp
Reflection Questions
- What suffering are you experiencing? Who do you know who is suffering?
- What has God communicated about His wisdom? Search through Scripture to find verses that teach on the subject.
- Why is tempting to doubt the wisdom of God, despite what Scripture says?
- Where has God proven to Himself to be wise in the past?
- What can you gain by running to God in moments of suffering? In the same way, what can you lose by running away from Him?
