I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18
“No doubt pain as God’s megaphone is a terrible instrument; it may lead to final and unrepented rebellion. But it gives the only opportunity the bad man can have for amendment. It removes the veil; it plants the flag of truth within the fortress of a rebel soul.
If the first and lowest operation of pain shatters the illusion that all is well, the second shatters the illusion that what we have, whether good or bad in itself, is our own and enough for us. Everyone has noticed how hard it is to turn our thoughts to God when everything is going well with us. We “have all we want” is a terrible saying when “all” does not include God. We find God an interruption.
As St. Augustine says somewhere “God wants to give us something, but cannot, because our hands are full — there’s nowhere for Him to put it.” Or as a friend of mine said “we regard God as an airman regards his parachute; it’s there for emergencies but he hopes he’ll never have to use it.”
Now God, who has made us, knows what we are and that our happiness lies in Him. Yet we will not seek it in Him as long as He leaves us any other resort where it can even plausibly be looked for. While what we call “our own life” remains agreeable we will not surrender it to Him. What then can God do in our interests but make “our own life” less agreeable to us, and take away the plausible sources of false happiness?”
C.S. Lewis (1898-1963) in The Problem of Pain (Quebec City: Samizdat University Press, 2016) 59-60.
Today’s Scripture aims to give us perspective amid suffering. The professor adds to our knowledge. Only when we have the right perspective can we be generous in the times in which we find ourselves.
Those who pursue false happiness need the megaphone of pain to get their attention. God is at worst an “interruption” or at best to them “a parachute” when He wants to be the object of their happiness.
When happiness lies in Him, we surrender to His ways. When we have false happiness, we get frustrated when things are less “agreeable” to us. I am learning to examine my heart in frustrated moments.
What is the bigger plan God is unfolding? What may He be trying to teach me? When things do not go how I plan, can I remain agile to follow God’s leading? How might I choose generosity in crisis?
When we attune to God we actually realize the “worth” of the present sufferings. God is not to be questioned but rather to be thanked for helping us to find our happiness only in Him.