Hebrews 12:10 tells us that God chastens us “for our profit, that we might be partakers of His holiness”. The writer then adds, “Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness–“(Hebrews 12:11). Pain is never pleasant but it can be profitable, and when we see God’s purpose for it we can be at peace. We can even rejoice is it as Paul did and testify that we are better with it than without it, as the Psalmist did (Psalm 119:67, 71, 75).
J. R. Miller wrote:”Prosperity has never enriched the world, as adversity has done. The best thoughts, the richest lessons, the sweetest songs which have come down to us from the past–have not come from the minds and hearts of those who have known no privation, no suffering, no adversity. They are the fruit of pain, of weakness, of trial.
Men have cried out for emancipation from the bondage of hardship, of sickness, of infirmity, of poverty–not realizing that the very trial which seemed to be hindering them in their career–was making whatever was noble, beautiful, and blessed in their life. The cost of all truly helpful and holy living, is pain!
We must not forget that redemption and Heaven come to be ours, only through the bitter sufferings and cross of the Son of God.
In all of life, the sweetest comforts and the richest blessings, come to us at the cost of suffering and tears. The fruit of earth’s “thorns” seems bitter to the taste, but it is the wholesome food of human souls.”
We could sum it all up by saying that hurt not only can make us helpful and holy, it actually leads to happiness–the fruit of holiness. Never forget, whatever God sends or allows to come into the life of His children is “for our profit”.
