Suffering and pain are commonplace. We often feel out of control as if we are standing in a strong surf, trying to remain balanced in the undertow.
In The Problem of Pain, C. S. Lewis tells us that God uses pain to shape us. Writing to Christians, probably, from Rome during persecution that was common following Nero blaming Christians for the burning of Rome, Peter taught that our safest course is to trust God.
For you and me, pain and suffering are every day occurrences.
God knows all, he is not surprised.
God is sovereign, all powerful, and He uses pain and suffering to mold and change us. Lewis says that suffering and pain teaches us how to pity, to care for others who struggle.
In the Scripture quoted above, Peter tells us to “entrust” our souls to a “faithful Creator.”
This is a helpful descriptive name.
Our Father is faithful. He is a rock. He is always there for us (even though for His own good reason – and ours – He May seem silent).
He is Creator. As the maker of all there is, He is greater than all.
Thus, He will allow no more upon us than we can handle. This is a hard saying for some, but my experience is that He shows me in suffering that I can handle more, in Him, than I thought. This is because He is continually working on me.
This is why we should “entrust” ourselves to He who gave us life, and sustains us day by day, our “faithful Creator.”
Thanks be to God for His sovereign care.
May He use us in our suffering to give Him glory and help others and “do good.”
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