Bruised But Blessed
“And we know for those who love God all things work together for good, to those who are called according to his purpose.”
—Romans 8:28
An older couple, married for upwards of sixty years, sat in their twin rocking chairs on their porch one night. Feeling sentimental, the wife looked to her husband and said, “I’m proud of you!” He looked back at her, a puzzled expression on his face so she repeated, this time a little louder, “I’m proud of you!” He pointed to his hearing aid, signaling that he still hadn’t heard her, so she shouted, “I SAID I’M PROUD OF YOU!”
“I’m tired of you, too!” was the response.
Have you ever heard the saying, “Familiarity breeds contempt”? Growing comfortable and acquainted with a person, object, or subject can have a negative effect on someone who has grown accustomed and even annoyed by the relationship. I believe Romans 8:28 could fall into that category for some people.
Plastered on the rear windows or bumpers of cars, pressed onto T-shirts, flashing across Facebook or Twitter, and endlessly repeated as one of the favorite sentences for people to share or read to others, we can either become so familiar with the words that they lose their punch or we can even grow tired of hearing them at all. The issue is not with the Word but with us, which is why Romans 8:28, like so many other verses plucked from their context and thrown to the wind of Christian experience, needs to be read as it was written, alongside its immediate context, and recaptured for its intended purpose, which is to express some of the most profound and encouraging doctrinal truths you find anywhere in the Bible.
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
Preceding this verse, Paul has written that we should be encouraged by the empathy and compassion of the Holy Spirit, who groans along with us as we feel the weight of this life and long for relief. He intercedes for us and knows our needs, carrying our burdens before the Father. Following the verse, Paul explains the cherished position of the saint, tracing God’s favor back before time itself. The saint is loved, called, justified, cleansed and will one day be glorified in His presence. Hallelujah!
Verse 28 tells us that everything matters. Nothing escapes the purposes of God. Not only does God use everything in life, He uses it for good. “Good” means benefit, advantage, blessing, that which is pleasurable or satisfying. The current experience we face in itself may not be good, but it will work together for good. Not all the ingredients for chocolate cake are “good”—baking power is yucky, vanilla extract doesn’t taste like vanilla at all, raw eggs aren’t appealing, flour has no flavor and leaves your mouth really dry but the end result is delicious.
As I write this, I have a family member who has been recently moved to hospice care. A friend has just watched his dear grandmother enter eternity. Another friend is undergoing serious surgery. A family near my home is laying their teenage daughter to rest this afternoon. I have multiple texts and emails from church members concerning their troubles and difficulties. Our world is experiencing crisis played out on a massive scale. Our souls can be thought of like a tender fruit, such as an apple or pear, tossed about with great force, left bruised and discolored from constant abuse at the hands of enemies or of the common human struggle. What does Romans 8:28 have to offer us in times like these? What is God doing with suffering?
One of the most precious books written on the subject is from a Puritan (surprise!). Published in 1630, Richard Sibbes’ book The Bruised Reed is a treatise on the Christian hope for enduring suffering. Many saints have been encouraged by the way Sibbes magnified the healing ministry of Dr. Christ to His people. In it, I feel that he has some great insight into how we can appropriate God’s goodness into our harsh circumstances.
For instance, Sibbes writes,
“After conversion we need bruising that we right remember that we are reeds and not oaks. Even reeds need bruising because of the remaining pride in our nature and to show us that we live by mercy. Such bruising may help weaker Christians not to be too much discouraged when the stronger ones are shaken and bruised…The heroic deeds of great saints do not comfort the church as much as their falls and bruises do.” (emphasis mine)
Have you considered that you need occasional suffering to be humbled and to be an example? The good result of our pain may be along these lines if we are willing to accept it.
“Physicians, though they put their patients to much pain, will not destroy their nature, but will raise it up by degrees. Surgeons will pierce and cut, but they will not mutilate….And shall there be more mercy in the stream than there is in the spring?”
God has devised all things to the purpose of our holiness and Christ-likeness. Wisely, He has planted suffering as a tool to that end. If those who care for us physically are so inclined to inflict momentary pains to bring us healing, how much more merciful and kind would our Heavenly Father tend to us?
“From our own strength we cannot bear the least trouble, but by the Spirit’s assistance we may bear the greatest.” (Again, emphasis mine).
Knowing the preciousness with which God looks on you His child, knowing His plans to bring you good, knowing His power to uphold and guide you by His Spirit, how can we grumble or complain of our ills?
I sense in greater ways the older I get how bruised and feeble my spirit can feel. I feel that it renders me useless, unwanted and unhelpful to anyone.
Not long ago, I saw an ad on television for a company specializing in shipping gently damaged fruits and vegetables. It’s called “Misfits Market.” I chuckled at their slogan: “Always fresh, sometimes normal.” That could describe some of us in the Church. Regardless, my thoughts went to the bruised and battered loved ones I have within the Body of Christ, and I guarantee you that being a misfit is not an obstacle for God. He is not hindered to bring much glory to Himself and good for others through you as weak and vulnerable as you feel. In fact, the battered saint who seeks the Lord will find that His grace is sufficient and His strength is perfected in our weakness (see 2 Corinthians 12). What a good God to bless us as He does. Don’t waste the pain, dear heart!
Blessings. SDG.