That Poster Jan-2020 “Dear God, from all this pain, please bring unexpected good”

1st Jan 2020 That Poster (Outreach Media)

It seems cold and unfeeling to think about good things in the midst of all the pain the bushfires have brought – especially when it’s fresh and even still happening. But part of dealing with the hurt and finding meaning in despair is finding the good.

So, while the bushfires have burned the media have reported on all sorts of stories of hope and positivity. Which has been enormously encouraging. For example, burnt out bush has already begun to regenerate, the heroism and selflessness of our amazing volunteer firefighters, the enormous generosity of people towards those affected, more people are now thinking about how to care for the environment and live with an unpredictable climate.

But personal stories have been the most moving. Like the people saved by a hero in a boat who took them to safety in the nick of time as fire raced to the water’s edge, and selfless neighbours helping to save other people’s houses whilst their own burned. And out of all the pain, communities have drawn closer in ways that are rare when times are good.

We really shouldn’t be surprised at this growing list because the Bible promises that God’s plan is to bring good from evil. For example, he refines our faith and moulds our character through suffering. But suffering can also remind us that we’re frail before our great God, or turn us away from a wrong course, or be discipline when we’re foolish. And have you noticed that when we suffer we’re better able to comfort others in similar situations?

Yet, one of the hardest pills to swallow is that those who love Jesus may be persecuted. Then, when this happens, the Bible tells us that God uses this suffering to show the world that his people’s witness is real. In a world filled with pain and sorrow, suffering can only increase the desire of God’s people to be with their heavenly Father. And that’s certainly a good thing!

But the greatest good of all is found at the cross. Jesus is the innocent hero whose painful death took us from God’s judgment for our rebellion, and into the safe arms of our heavenly Father. In one of the Bible’s four biographies about Jesus, the author, Mark, records this prediction from Jesus:

… the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and he must be killed and after three days rise again. (Mark 8:31)

Those final words about Jesus rising make the suffering of this world bearable. Because Jesus rose from the dead then we know that we also will. So, we just need to hang in there, trusting in God’s goodness even in the midst of our most difficult times.

Ian Brunton