The pain is not comfortable, but it is good. In the same way, God would have me taste some of the bitterness of sin, not to do me evil, but to do me good. The discomfort that God gives causes me to reflexively pull away from sin and run to the remedy. If I were to leave my hand on the stove, the hand would be destroyed. If I were to leave my hand on sin, then my whole body would be destroyed (Matt 5:30).

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for…” Do you know how it ends? Imagine what could have been put at the end of this phrase. All things work together for fame. All things work together for happiness. All things for your pride, your bank account, your health. What about your comfort? But it doesn’t end that way. God is not working out all things for our comfort, but He is working all things together for good. This is good news.

The Tragedy of Comfort

When God chooses to work in my life, my comfort is not at the top of the list. Imagine what a tragedy that would be. If He worked for my comfort as His highest goal, then sometimes He would do things that made me feel good, but were not actually good. There is a difference there I hope you know. Something may feel good, may be comfortable, that is ruinous for me. Sometimes it would be more comfortable to never experience pain over sin. What if God made me comfortable in sin? It would be a tragic end for me. I would never repent. I would never see my need for Him. But God chose my good, and not my comfort. He does this in a myriad of ways.

The Triumph of Pain

If God is working all things for my good, and He is, then sometimes that means He will sacrifice my comfort for my good. When He chooses, He would rather wound me for my good, then let me be whole for my ultimate destruction. This type of discomfort is good.

Read More