“PAIN IS INEVITABLE, BUT MISERY IS OPTIONAL”

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” (Genesis 50:20, NIV)

On the front cover of Barbara Johnson’s book, "Stick a Geranium in Your Hat and be Happy”, is the above quote:  “pain is inevitable, but misery is optional.”  How true that is!  If you’ve never read a book by Barbara Johnson or heard her speak, you are missing out!  She is encouraging, inspiring and hilarious.  She brings out the truths of Scripture in very humorous ways.  Her writings are guaranteed to draw you closer to God and make you laugh. J

In this life, pain is inevitable.  We live in a fallen world.  None of us will make it through life without pain or trials.  As Christians, God sends fiery trials our way to teach us humility, patience, perseverance and complete dependence on Him.  He wants to conform us more into Christ’s image (Rom. 8:29). 

One of the stories in Scripture that has greatly encouraged and inspired me, and given me hope during my trial with a chronic illness is the story of Joseph.  Joseph understood the sovereignty of God.  Although the Bible doesn’t say, I believe he was taught this great doctrine from his father, Jacob.  Joseph had every opportunity to become bitter at his brothers and at God.  He was thrown into a pit and then sold by his jealous brothers into slavery for twenty shekels of silver (Gen. 37:28).  He then spent two years in prison for a crime against Potiphar’s wife that he didn’t commit (Gen. 39:20). 

I believe God’s grace was at work in Joseph’s heart so that he was able to trust God during this time.  He didn’t know why all of this was happening to him, or what the outcome would be.  Twenty years later, when he was a grown man and in charge of all of Egypt, his brothers journeyed there to buy grain in order to survive the famine.  Joseph was able to say to them, “you intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” (Gen. 50:20). 

Are you able today, like Joseph, to trust in God’s absolute sovereignty and plan for your life?  It’s very hard to trust in God when we are suffering and in pain, and we don’t understand why.  Ask God today for His grace to make it through each day, and to trust in His plan and purpose for your life to be revealed in His perfect time.

Jesus, thank you that Your plan for our lives is good!