Pastor Lloyd

Trials and Tribulations: Pain and Heartache Are Temporary, But God is Eternal

I was recently interviewed by Jennifer Harrington-Snell of Suite 101
regarding Trials and Tribulations.  Below is a link to the May 29, 2009 piece, as well
as the article in its entirety, used with author’s permission.

Many
people lose hope and become discouraged during difficult times, but the
Bible calls on Christians to trust and depend on God-even when faced
with pain and hardship.

Trials and tribulations are unavoidable. Whether the pain is
emotional or physical, everyone suffers at one point or another. The
problem, according to Lloyd Pulley, senior pastor of Calvary Chapel Old Bridge, is that most people look to the world for answers.

We see things as either good or bad, Pulley explained. We don’t
see the outcome. But God knows the end from the beginning. He knows the
end of the book.

In other words, God sees the big picture. In fact, the Bible states
that everything in life even pain and heartache occurs for a reason and
for the good of those who trust in God. According to Romans 8:28,

We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him
who have been called according to His purpose.

That’s a pinnacle for Christians to hold onto, Pulley said.
wouldn’t be so frustrated as we go through life if we kept that eternal
perspective.

Pain is Temporary

Humans have a tendency to believe that pain and hardship will never
end. The Bible documents a number of cases in which Godly men believed
the same. Joshua, a great military leader and Moses’ successor, was
despondent after he lost the battle at Ai. He gave no thought to his
previous victory at Jericho; instead, he tore his clothes in grief,
threw himself to the ground and questioned why God had led the Jewish
people across the Jordan River.

The apostle Paul, on the other hand, knew very well that pain is
temporary. He was willing and able to keep an eternal perspective
because he trusted and depended on God.

In 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, Paul wrote, For our light and momentary
troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them
all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen. For
what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Paul also knew that God sometimes allows us to experience pain as a
necessary part of spiritual growth. In fact, he claimed to delight in
weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.
For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Sometimes the Lord has to rock our boat, lest we forget who we
are, Pulley explained, adding that Christians should always remember
that God offers a treasure that is far greater than anything the world
could ever offer.

The Power of Prayer

In times of pain and hardship, prayer is the most powerful weapon.
Not only does it help Christians maintain the eternal perspective, but
it also serves as an important link between the believer and a God who
is all-loving and all-powerful.

But does God answer every prayer?

God has answered every single one of my prayers, Pulley said. Sometimes He said, Yes, but most of the time He said,

In such circumstances, it’s important to keep Romans 8:28 in mind.
When I was young, I had many doubts, Pulley said. The silence from
the heavens was deafening. But I would look back on the situation years
later and see the Lord’s answer.

And most important, a believer must always trust God’s will and
trust that God is working for the good of His children. “‘Thy’ will be
done, not ‘My’ will be done,” Pulley said.

Read more:  protestantism.suite101.com/article.cfm/trials_and_tribulations