Pain, Suffering, and God’s Word

Are you teaching your kids to suffer well? On several occasions Jesus told his followers that they could expect pain and persecution. The Psalms are full of the moans and laments of human suffering and emotional misery. But all of God’s Word points to the fact that God does not leave us alone in times of trouble. In the midst of intense personal pain the psalmist would write these words: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” “The Lord will keep you from all harm – he will watch over your life.” Our parental example should teach our children how to handle the difficulties that life sends our way. As we model the Christian way to handle pain and suffering, our children will grow up learning that they must place full reliance and dependence on God, even when they can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel.