Holding On to God’s Love Through the Pain
Sunday, November 26, 2023 by Melissa McLaughlin

Love Through the Pain

Searing pain torched my back.

Longstanding back issues, combined with the strain of age and use, resulted in physical agony that brought me to a complete halt. Following therapy, medication, treatments, and all manner of medical interventions, I found myself on the surgeon’s schedule for back surgery. And it couldn’t come soon enough for me.

The day of surgery my husband drove me to the hospital, assisted me at the registration desk, and prayed for me in the surgery waiting area. Right on schedule, the nurse arrived to wheel me to surgery prep. My husband gave me one final kiss and “I love you,” before I was whisked away.

The surgery room was cold, austere, and sanitized. I felt small.

If you have ever experienced surgery or a medical procedure, when the surgery begins, you are left in the hands of strangers. Given their training and qualifications, we trust the medical staff, though we don’t know them.

Still, it is a strange thing to be left alone at this critical juncture.

The ones who do know us and love us cannot be seen, heard, or felt. We recall their love and hold their memories in our hearts, but the distance separates us. We are by ourselves.

Where is God When We Hurt?

Similarly, there are times in our lives when we feel separated from God. The One who knows us and loves us more than anyone else ever could.

Maybe due to painful circumstances, a season of suffering, or an unexpected loss. Whatever the reason, we find it difficult to sense God’s love for us.

We believe He loves us. We know He loves us. But it doesn’t feel like He loves us.

We believe He is with us. We know He is with us. But it doesn’t feel like He is with us.

When it Doesn’t Feel Like God Loves You

What do you do when it doesn’t feel like God loves you?

What do you do when you feel God is distant?

When we feel God doesn’t love us or we feel God is distant from us, we have one of two choices. We can move forward based on our feelings or we can move forward based on the truth of Scripture.

One thing I have learned is to walk by faith, not by feelings.

Faith Over Feelings

Feelings are important. God designed us to have feelings. They alert us when we are hurt, when something is wrong, or when something is wonderful.

But feelings can also deceive us.

God’s Word says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it” Jeremiah 17:9.

Feelings help us recognize the hurts we need to process. We can bring those worries and heartaches to the Lord. We then receive His wisdom and peace to work through them. In Scripture, we read, “casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” 1 Peter 5:7.

However, feelings should not dictate our worldview, determine our outlook, or set the direction for our path in life.

As Christians, God’s Word is our authority. The Bible frames our worldview and shapes our outlook. His Word alone guides the paths we take.

When we are hurting, where do we find God’s love in Scripture?

Holding On to God’s Love in Scripture

There are two Scriptures I cling to when I cannot feel God’s love or sense His presence.

The first is Romans 5:8 – But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

God has already shown His love to me. When my back was turned to Jesus, when my fist was raised to Him in opposition, Jesus was dying for me.

That’s how God loved me.

This love is far above and beyond all earthly circumstances. This is sacrificial love for all eternity. When I feel it and when I don’t. That is the truth about God’s love for me. And for you.

The second is Psalm 100:5 – The Lord is good. His mercy endures forever.

When I look at Jesus on the cross, I can say with all my heart, “The Lord is good.”

When I look at Jesus on the cross, I can also say, “His mercy endures forever.”

Remembering this verse, even in deep sorrow, I can honestly say, “The Lord is good and His mercy endures forever.”

These two Scripture verses can reset my mind and realign my perspective. Though it doesn’t change my earthly situation, by recalling, praying, and speaking these verses to myself, I am reminded of God’s love as the overarching narrative of my life, even when I cannot see His love in the present circumstances.

Holding On to God’s Love Through the Pain

Are you in a place where you cannot feel God’s love or sense His presence? Are you hurting?

I invite you to pause right now and say these two verses out loud to yourself. As you do, ask the Holy Spirit to help you think of Jesus. Think of His suffering for your sins. The betrayal, the mocking, the beatings, the spitting upon, the crown of thorns, the nails in His hands and feet. Think of Jesus dying for our sins so we could spend eternity in heaven with Him. Think of Jesus. And remember His love.

Romans 5:8 – But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Psalm 100:5 – The Lord is good. His mercy endures forever.

Do you have a Scripture verse that helps you remember God’s love?

No matter what you may be feeling today, I pray you will see Jesus in Scripture and hold on to God’s love through the pain.

P.S. After a successful surgery, I awoke in the recovery room and felt a special peace when my husband joined me a short time later. His eyes radiated love and his gentle hand held mine.

Spiritual Life

Join author and teacher, Melissa McLaughlin, and grow in Truthful Grace as we ignite the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit in our hearts, minds, prayers and lives. Grow in Christ, grow in the knowledge of His Word, the Bible, grow the passion in your prayers.

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