During the past two weeks, we have seen how the Apostle Paul provided a new framework for us to consider when it comes to handling the hurts and the heartaches, the suffering and the pain that inevitably come into all our lives.
Last time, we saw how there was sin from the beginning. This is Paul’s perspective on the past. He then moves to the present and points out how we can have hope in the midst of our pain. Even though things in our world aren’t getting any better, as Christians we can live in anticipation of a better day.
Ultimately, when sin entered the picture, it set us up to struggle. It set us up to suffer. It set us up to have to look to the future when our hope would be fulfilled. Because, in the meantime, while I have the Holy Spirit living on the inside of me, my physical body and the physical environment all around me continue to show signs of decay.
But Paul points out that “The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.”
Paul admits that we will have weaknesses. We’re living in a decaying world in a decaying body. Some days are just going to be tough. We might as well face it.
Your pain and suffering may be the consequence of poor personal choices. But it is also possible that what you are experiencing is simply a result of living in a world that is scarred by sin.
Sometimes life can bring us so low that we can’t even utter a word. Sometimes, the pain is so great that all you can do is moan and groan and cry. When that happens, just remember that the Spirit of God is interceding for you.
God might seem a thousand miles away, but he’s living in you, and he understands your pain. He sees your weakness. We have to learn to think about the big picture when it comes to pain and suffering.
In the beginning, sin entered the world. In the meantime, there is hope. God says, “I am here for you.”
In verse 28, Paul says, “God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”
We’ll look at what that means next time.
You may read Steve Greene’s blog at pastorgreene.wordpress.com or you can email him at [email protected].