NIV 365 / Making Sense of the Pain

The NIV 365-Day Devotional Reading Plan

Day 254 of 365 Making Sense of the Pain During one semester of my college years, everything seemed to conspire against me. Late one night I shared my fears and frustrations with my parents. They listened and prayed. Soon a letter arrived with a card on which Mom had copied a poem by Grant Tuller: My life is but a weaving between my God and me I do not choose the colors; He worketh steadily. Oft times He weaveth sorrow, and I in foolish pride Forget He sees the upper-, and I the under-side. Not till the loom is silent and the shuttles cease to fly Will God unroll the canvas and explain the reasons why The dark threads are as needful in a skillful weaver's hand As the threads of gold and silver, in the pattern he has planned. Paul's letters to his congregation in Corinth are interwoven with threads of pain and joy. Sometimes Paul recounted his great apostolic calling and used it to persuade the church to accept his authority. ther times he wandered about in near despair, pleading with his fellow believers for support. In 2 Corinthians 12:1-10, Paul slid from ecstasy to entropy, ending up with reflections not unlike those of Tuller. He could have been writing a journal entry about the relationship of any couple. We thrill when we first make eye contact. We find our days energized as we become engaged and plan for marriage, and our nights are vivid with passionate dreams of our life together. When we marry and are happy with each other, we carry our partner along on the currents of victory. But there are also pages in our relationships when days pass without a note, and those that finally appear are short and tear-stained. We feel the thorn of sickness. Lost opportunities. Foolish mistakes. Broken promises. Our elation bursts, our energy escapes, and darkness becomes our closest friend. What do we say then? Perhaps, with Job, we need to be reminded that not all suffering comes from God, and that no suffering is beyond God's care. Perhaps, with Paul, we need to claim a larger perspective that prevents us from getting stuck too long in the darkness of depression. If today is the best day of your life, it won't last. Tonight might be an inch short of hopeless; it won't last either. Whatever has brought you to this moment is only part of the story of your life and relationship. The rest is yet to come. Put all of it-dark thorns and shining threads-into God's hands, and he will sustain you. -Wayne Brouwer Taken from NIV Couples' Devotional Bible 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 KJV 1 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. 3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) 4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 5 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities. 6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me. 7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.