Where is God When it Hurts? How to Respond When We Suffer.

children's books, Christian-teachers, fruit of the Spirit, Little Pot, rooted Bible Study

Where is God when it hurts? In times of suffering and pain, it is natural to question the presence of God. We may wonder where He is, why He allows us to endure such hardships, and how we should respond. Finding peace and understanding during difficult times is evidence of the fruit of the Spirit. This article will delve into suffering and its potential purpose in our lives. We’ll explore ways to surrender to the Holy Spirit and cultivate joy, patience, and longsuffering. So, join us as we embark on a journey to explore the profound question of where God is when it hurts and discover how to find peace and purpose amid pain.

The Potter Allows Suffering

In our children’s books, the potter allows the vessels to suffer. Tea Pot wants to keep its tea. Even though the potter knows it is unwise and will stain the vessel, he allows it. Oil Lamp‘s pain is brought on by its fear. The potter uses the suffering surrounding the little light to build its faith. Likewise, the cracked jar suffers from loneliness and the feeling that it does not fit in. The other vessels ask the potter to repair the crack. However, the potter uses the wounded vessel’s pain to help others. The Little Pot is emptied often in its tale. The potter could have made Little Pot a fruit pot at the beginning. However, he allows the little vessel to suffer as it tries to discover its purpose.

Through these four picture books, we discover that God is there. As the vessels suffer, we find purpose in their pain. Pain and suffering are necessary for true love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control to grow. Little Pot’s Humus, seed, stem, leaves, and flowers lead to strawberries. Comparatively, the potter cultivates these qualities through humility, God’s Word, integrity, relationships, and knowledge. You can receive details about that process by signing up here:

Our Study of Rooted

The root system inside Little Pot is intertwined and hard to break. Consequently, we are digging it up, answering complex questions, and unearthing roots beneath Little Pot‘s fruit (and ours). Likewise, the answers we unearth are interconnected. Here is a list of the questions we will investigate during The Rooted Study. A workbook is available for further study.

The Reality of Pain and Suffering

Pain and suffering are an inevitable part of the human experience. From physical ailments to emotional struggles, we all encounter pain in various forms throughout our lives. It is natural to question why we must endure such hardships and wonder where God is in the midst of our pain.

The reality is that pain and suffering began when sin entered the world through Adam and Eve. Throughout the Bible, we find Godly people enduring pain and suffering. David was no exception. Comparatively, he asks, “Where is God when it Hurts?” at the beginning of Psalm 22. By the end of the Psalm, he recognizes that God is listening and with him. This is the same scripture Jesus Himself quotes as He hung on the cross amid the pain of crucifixion and death. While pain and suffering may be a part of our earthly existence, we can cling to God’s promises.

Knowing You Are Not Alone

God did not promise we would not have pain and suffering. However, He did promise we would not have to endure it alone. Our darkest moments can feel like no one understands our pain, or we are completely isolated. However, the Bible reminds us that God is always with us and has given us a community of believers to walk alongside us.

Psalm 34:18 reminds us the Lord is near to those with a broken heart. Psalm 56:8 tells us that He keeps track of our sorrows and collects our tears in a bottle. A tear jar (lachrymatory) was used to catch the tears of mourners in their grief. The idea that God remembers every tear we shed amazes me. Especially when we consider there will not be tears in Heaven.

In conclusion, we can have hope. Not a man-made, self-manufactured hope. Still, a hope in knowing God goes with us through difficult times, strengthens, guides, and even carries us. Even when we cannot understand our circumstances and feel God is silent, we can put our faith in God because He is in control.

Little Pot and the other vessels know they are never alone. the potter is always there. — God promises that we are never alone.

The Faith Required to Know Where God Is When It Hurts

When suffering, our faith is tested. Faith in God means believing He is always with us, even in our suffering. It means trusting that His love for us is unwavering, regardless of our circumstances. The Bible assures us that God is near the brokenhearted and will never leave or forsake us.

But how do we develop this faith? Hebrews 11 tells about men and women of God with great faith. Interestingly, their circumstances and prayers were not always answered. Our faith does not guarantee that God will give us the things we trust Him for.

These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.
Hebrews 11:39-40

Ultimately, Great faith requires a willingness to trust God, even when we don’t understand. It means believing that He is present in our pain and has a purpose for allowing us to go through suffering. We can find comfort and hope in our trials by developing the same faith held by those listed in

Our Response to Where God Is When It Hurts

With faith, we can surrender. This does not mean we give up. Instead, it means we give over. Christ, in anguish, prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood. Three times, He asked God to “remove this cup from him.” He was honest with God but also completely gave over to His will. (Matthew 26:39)

Surrendering to God also involves letting go of our need for control. We often try to make sense of our suffering and find answers to our questions. However, sometimes God’s ways are beyond our understanding. Surrendering to Him means trusting He knows what is best for us, even when we cannot see it.

In conclusion, our response to suffering should be to surrender to God. Doing so allows His fruit to grow.

The Fruit of the Spirit Requires Hurt, Suffering, and Hardship

Where is God when it hurts?

He is right in the middle of your pain. He knows that trials test our faith and produce perseverance (James1:2-4). Being transformed to be like Christ means we must endure pain and suffering with strong faith, surrendering to His will.

In moments of suffering, the Holy Spirit cultivates longsuffering, joy, peace, and faithfulness. It is easy to be patient and have joy when everything is going well and according to plan. However, true patience is tested when we face difficulties and setbacks. In these moments, we witness patience and joy beyond our own ability.

Like Little Pot, who surrenders to the potter, we can endure pain and suffering and become fruit pots ourselves. Add your first name and email below, and we’ll send you the seven steps to the Holy Spirit growing fruit through your life. You will also be added to our Fruitful Friday email list so you can continue to … “Learn a lot from Little Pot!”

what is fruit of the spirit — Learn how the Potter grows the fruit of the Spirit through you.

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