And his disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ Jesus answered, ‘It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.’” (John 9:2 3)
During a Bible study one day, someone asked a thought provoking question about the blind man Jesus healed. He wanted to understand why the man had to go through such suffering, especially since his blindness was not a consequence of his sins or those of his parents but simply so that the glory of God might be revealed (John 9:1 3).
I appreciated his childlike honesty. We all laughed when he dramatically summarized it as, “So I am just here as a scapegoat, suffering for nothing, just for God’s pleasure?” But I could see the confusion in his eyes and even sense a bit of frustration. The idea that someone could endure hardship for no fault of their own was difficult for him to grasp.
I laughed it off in the moment, but the question lingered in my mind. If this one man is thinking like this, how many others have had the same thoughts? How many have wrestled with the pain and confusion of suffering they did not bring upon themselves? And worse, how many have drifted away because they could not make sense of it?
Yet, as I pondered, I was reminded of other instances in Scripture where suffering served a greater purpose. Many times, when we experience hardship, we assume it is a consequence of sin either our own, that of our parents, or even our ancestors. While this can be true, it is not the only reason we may face challenges.
Another reason, one that believers often overlook, is that God allows certain trials so that His glory may be revealed in us (John 9:1 3). This truth is just as valid as any other explanation for suffering, yet it is one we rarely embrace. Sometimes, our struggles serve a greater purpose, one that showcases God’s power, faithfulness, and redemptive work in our lives (2 Corinthians 4:17, Romans 8:28).
Joseph endured betrayal and imprisonment, yet later declared to his brothers, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” (Genesis 50:20)
Joseph’s story remind us that suffering, though painful and often inexplicable in the moment, can be a tool in God’s hands to reveal His glory, refine our faith, and ultimately fulfill His purpose. “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” (2 Corinthians 4:17)
Your Journey is Not Just About You
Some struggles, though they feel deeply personal, are not just about us. They serve a purpose far beyond what we can see.
One truth I have come to accept, and I hope you embrace early, is that some people are chosen to walk certain paths, not just for themselves, but for those coming after them. Someone must lead the way. Someone must go first. Someone must endure so that others can find the path smoother. And sometimes, that someone may be you (Isaiah 45:2, Micah 2:13).
This does not mean God loves you any less. If anything, I see it as a privilege to be chosen. There are things I have been through, things my eyes don see, as my people would say, that were painful, yet I would not trade them for anything. If I were given the choice to endure them or not, I would choose them again.
In Your Comfort, Many Will Find Comfort
As I have found comfort and strength in my journey, others will also find hope, strength and comfort as well.
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” (2 Corinthians 1:3 4)
Many will make fewer mistakes where possible, and where they cannot, I will be there to help them weather the storm. It will be my honor and privilege to hold the hands of many, for them to come to the rising of my light and shine even brighter, to light many candles and ignite hope in their hearts.
Daniel 12:3 Says “Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.”
The Bigger Picture
Consider the prophets of old. When they received revelations about the time we now live in, the era of Jesus Christ physically walking the earth and the new birth we experience through His resurrection, they longed to understand it. They desperately wanted to know which generation would witness these things and whether, by any chance, they could be a part of it. Even the angels longed to see these things (1 Peter 1:10 12).
Yet, they were told that what they had seen and heard was not for them, but for us (Hebrews 11:39 40).
In the same way, there are challenges in our lives that we cannot afford to take too personally. If we do, we risk missing the bigger picture. We become so entangled in thoughts like, Why is this happening to me? I do not deserve this. Who did I offend? that we fail to see that God may simply be choosing us as vessels to bring Him glory.
Think about the blind man whom Jesus healed. When asked whether his blindness was a result of his own sin or that of his parents, Jesus responded that it was neither. Rather, it happened so that the works of God might be revealed in him (John 9:1 3).
As painful as some experiences may be, we must come to a place of surrender where we say: If this will bring glory to God, I am all in. If this will make Jesus known, I am all in, even if it costs me everything. This is the resolve that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had. They thought so little of their own lives that they were willing to risk everything for the glory of God (Daniel 3:16 18).
Molded, Tested, and Displayed for God’s Glory
Imagine you are molding a set of clay pots for a prestigious global showcase. Before they can be displayed, some must be tested for durability, heat resistance, and strength against impact. As the maker, you have the liberty to choose which pots undergo these tests, ensuring that each one is assessed based on its intended function.
You would not test a clay pot using the standards for a metal rod, nor would you subject it to the refining process of gold or diamonds. In the same way, God allows us to go through only what He knows we can handle (1 Corinthians 10:13). Our trials are not random, they are divinely permitted to shape us and prepare us for His purpose.
Instead of asking, “Why me?” let us ask, “Lord, how can this bring You glory?”
