We have all faced difficult times in our lives that can cause us great pain. Many of us turn to God to take away our pain. The prospect of pain whether physical, mental, or emotional is rarely appealing to any of us. This was the case when I faced my battle with alcoholism, it was easily one of the most trying times of my life. During my recovery I can remember many nights on the bathroom floor racked with the pain as my body detoxified. With tears pouring out of eyes I begged God to heal my pain. My pain did pass eventually.

Many of the people I have told this story to have asked me the same question, ‘if God loved you why did He not just heal you’. My answer is simple and most often unpopular. If God had simply healed me what would I have learned. I am also quick to add that God brings us together through our experiences if I had not been tested like I had I probably would not have met some of the people who mean the most to me. Do I believe for a second that God took any pleasure in my pain, no not at all. He just showed me tough love.

Now don’t get me wrong I do believe in miraculous healings, but in some cases God gives us the strength to heal ourselves. Many people pray for courage does God give us courage or does He give us the strength to draw on the courage we already have. Our Father will never have us face anything that He won’t give us the strength to get through. We will face hardships but as long as we have God we don’t face them alone.