Sometimes in my job I have to cause pain in order to heal. If a finger has been dislocated, I use a painful injection to numb it, so I can successfully reduce the dislocation. I may have to gag you with a cotton swab to find out if you have strep throat.
An orthopedist sometimes has to re-break a bone, which has healed wrong, in order to get it back in proper position. A surgeon may have to remove your leg to save your life.
Sometimes a parent has to discipline a child, so they will learn a lesson and sometimes that means the child may not want to sit down for a while.
God sometimes has to do the same for us. God “…disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.” Proverbs 3:12. Sometimes we have to be broken before we can heal. We must be emptied before we can be filled.
This is an inconvenient truth. We want to think of God as a loving Father, and He is, but like any loving parent, God knows, in order for us to grow, sometimes a little discipline is needed.
As Hebrews 12:11 says, “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.” However, the very thing which causes so much pain “…produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”
I don’t know what kind of trials and disappointments you are going through right now. I don’t know what is causing you pain, but whatever it is, I know God is allowing it to happen for a reason. He sees something in you worth developing and He’s ready to pull out all the stops to help you grow, even if that means you have to endure a little discomfort along the way.
So, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4
Hang in there, my friend. God is at work. He delights in you, “as a father the son”, but sometimes love hurts. However, I promise you this – it will be worth it all in the end!
God bless and have a wonderful day!