When things happen in our lives that do not make sense or when we do not understand something about God, some people are tempted to discredit Him completely. Author Andy Stanley says, “You don’t have to understand everything to believe in something.” In John 9, Jesus met a man who was born blind and forced to beg just to get by. Jesus’ disciples wanted to know whose fault it was that the man was blind: Was it his fault? Or his parents?

For some reason, it is human nature to place blame. For example, if someone gets cancer, some people might wonder, “What do you think they did to deserve cancer?” If someone’s wife walks out, insensitive churchgoers might think, “If he had been a better spiritual leader, his wife would not have done that.” If a teenager is rebellious, hardened onlookers might privately reflect, “If that kid’s parents had been more involved, or if the youth pastor had done a better job, this never would have happened.”

People like to place blame. When the disciples wondered who to blame, to their surprise Jesus answered in John 9:3, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned… but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.”

This man had spent years enduring the hardships of a life without sight, and Jesus basically said that God would be glorified through this tragedy. God can have a purpose in our pain.

Now, just because God can use what happens does not mean He causes everything. God does cause some pain, especially in discipline, but much pain, especially that caused by the sins of other people, is not caused by God. He may allow it, but He does not cause it. That is an important distinction. Recognizing this fact might still leave us angry with God, but as we learn to overcome this anger as we get to know God, our perspective changes. We learn to trust that He is still good, loving, and wise in everything He does, even if we do not know why things happen.

It is hard for us to comprehend that God has a purpose in our pain. Even though many things in life will always hurt and be unexplainable, God occasionally shines purposeful light into our darkness. If you are hurting right now, that might be difficult to believe. You might be in a place similar to where I was at many years ago when our son, Josiah, died. Trying to find a “reason” to understand or justify it at that moment is impossible. But after a season of grieving, many find comfort in knowing that God can use even tragedies to bring about good. In fact, Ephesians 1:11 makes a bold statement, “[God] works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will.”

This is precisely what God did in the story of the man who was born blind. When Jesus saw him, He spits on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. That does not make sense to our limited minds, and the man’s lifetime of blindness up to that point certainly was not fair. But after washing in the Pool of Siloam, that man went home seeing.

This is the place where the story should reach its climactic ending. “This is a miracle! The blind guy can see now. We should throw him a party. We will eat cake and ice cream.” But, that is not what happened. Jesus had performed an incredible miracle, but the Pharisees would not accept it nor buy it because Jesus had done it on the Sabbath. Pharisees knew the Law. You cannot work on the Sabbath. Everybody knows that healing is work. Because they did not understand, they refused to believe.

After a great commotion, the Pharisees spoke to the previously blind guy to get more information. With blunt honesty and clear sight, he said, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!”

In other words, “Look guys, there are many things I do not claim to understand. But one thing is undeniably true: I was blind and now I see!” Many of us struggle with believing the unbelievable. In a sense, many of us are Christian atheists. I have my doubts and questions about God, but I am thankful that just like the blind guy who was healed, I do not have to understand everything to believe something. If you are grieving, I pray that one day in the future, God will show you some purpose and meaning for your pain.

When Christians experience loss in their lives, to say that they question God would be a massive understatement. Why would God allow this? Why would God take someone so young? Why did not God answer our prayers? What did any of us do to deserve this? Where is God in our pain and loss?

Grieving is a deeply personal and difficult journey. For those who have experienced it, they understand the process is often clouded with confusion and uncontrollable emotions. For myself, losing my son brought me to my knees. Parents go before their children…

Even though we grieved deeply and did not understand, God did something beautiful in our pain. God took our worst nightmare and somehow brought spiritual life out of a tragic death. Although we do not know the “answers,” God has used this tragedy to change us. It has helped me to understand God when Jesus was on the cross and it has helped me to empathize with those who have walked a similar path.

Even in the middle of our pain, or, perhaps more accurate, especially in the middle of our pain, I discovered that God is good. In closing, let me ask, “Are you questioning God in the middle of pain and suffering?” Take your questions to Him. He will not be offended. Lean on Jesus and ask Him to bring good out of bad, life out of dead, hope out of despair. He is with you!