Trusting God to Bring Good from Our Suffering
By Jennifer Slattery
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly, there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once, all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!”
The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” – Acts 16:25-30
If you watch the news, you might know about the tornado that recently devastated areas surrounding Omaha, Nebraska. Unfortunately, someone I serve with, and care about, was hit pretty hard, as were his neighbors. A few days after the storm, my husband and I went to his and his wife’s home to help with the massive cleanup efforts.
Deeply saddened by the devastation he and his wife had suffered, I expressed my sympathy. He thanked me. Then, after expressing awe for all the ways God’s people were uniting to help, he said, with a peaceful, almost reverent smile, “If this brings even one person to Christ, it’ll have been worth it.”
His response challenged me to look beyond the mountains of broken tree branches, roofing shingles, shattered glass, and rain-soaked mattresses to the beauty God was creating from the wreckage.
This is His way, His heart–to bring good from our suffering. Although we see this throughout Scripture, one of my favorite biblical examples comes from Acts chapter 16. This occurred during Paul’s second missionary journey. He and his ministry partner Silas wanted to check on the believers in the towns where Paul had preached previously (Acts 15:36). Acts 16 tells us they intended to go to Asia, but the Holy Spirit prevented them and instead, directed them to the Roman colony of Philippi. While there, they encountered a demon-possessed slave girl who earned money for her master through demonic divination.
Once Paul freed her from her evil oppression, her owners, angered by their sudden loss of income stream, seized Paul and Silas and dragged them in front of the authorities who had them stripped, beaten, flogged, and thrown into a dark, dank dungeon. Bruised and bloodied, in that terrifying place, the men began to sing.
Oh, to know the beautiful, melodious truths–the proclamation of hope–that filled that place! And the comfort this must’ve brought, not only to Paul and Silas, but to all the other prisoners bound as well. And the life-changing awe that must’ve filled their souls when, as Paul and Silas shined God’s light in the midst of darkness, a violent earthquake shook the prison foundations. Suddenly, the doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose.
And when the alarmed prison guard was about to take his life, Paul stopped him and assured him that they were all still there.
Likely impacted as much by everyone’s remaining, when they easily could’ve fled, as the miraculous events that had transpired, the jailer asked Paul and Silas, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
God used this event, and all Paul and Silas had suffered, to bring eternal life to an entire family–and whomever this family encountered and then shared the gospel with. In fact, scholars suggest this jailer became a member of the church in Philippi, a group of believers who became an important source of financial and emotional support to Paul in his remaining missionary journeys.
God indeed brings good from suffering, and life and light into the darkest, most seemingly hopeless circumstances.
Intersecting Life & Faith:
When we’re in the figurative dungeon, our pain can make it hard to see God’s life-giving hand. This, in turn, can lead to feelings of despair. But when we turn to Him in our anguish, as Paul and Silas did, He speaks hope and comfort into our souls, reminding us that He will, indeed, work all things for our good and His glory.
Further Reading:
Romans 8:18-39
Isaiah 61:1-7
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Boonyachoat
Jennifer Slattery is a writer and speaker who co-hosts the Faith Over Fear podcast and, along with a team of 6, the Your Daily Bible Verse podcast. She’s addressed women’s groups, Bible studies, and taught at writers conferences across the nation. She’s the author of Building a Family and numerous other titles and maintains a devotional blog at JenniferSlatteryLivesOutLou
She’s passionate about helping people experience Christ’s freedom in all areas of their lives. Visit her online to learn more about her speaking or to book her for your next women’s event, and sign up for her free quarterly newsletter HERE and make sure to connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and GodTube.
Check out fantastic resources on Faith, Family, and Fun at Crosswalk.com!
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