In life’s most trying moments, we often find ourselves asking, “Why God?” Why do we face suffering, loss, or hardship? Why does it feel like we’re being tested beyond what we can bear? It is in these moments that our faith and trust in God’s plan are truly tested.

John Olerud, a former Major League Baseball player, along with his wife Kelly, welcomed their daughter Jordan into this world. However, she was born with a rare genetic disorder that would be with her throughout each day of her 19 years of life.

He shared a powerful story about trust during a painful time very early in Jordan’s life. During a medical procedure, he was asked to hold her still as she became distressed as the doctors worked. She looked at him with eyes that seemed to ask, “Why are you letting this happen? I thought you were supposed to protect me.”

It was in that moment that Olerud realized there were no words that could fully explain that situation. He could only say, “You just have to trust me.” The Oleruds’ faith was tested even more when, at 19, the Lord called Jordan home. Yet in the face of this unimaginable loss, the Oleruds’ faith remained steadfast, rooted in the same trust they had nurtured throughout their daughter’s life.

This story of trusting God through suffering parallels the story of Martin Luther, who lived through some of the most difficult and challenging times in history during the Reformation. Luther faced intense personal trials, including threats to his life, persecution and deep spiritual struggles in the face of opposition, rejection, and the feeling that God had abandoned him at times.

Luther’s trust in God remained unwavering. One of the passages that helped Luther through his darkest of times was Psalm 46, which he read often. God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. He also often quoted Romans 1:17: The righteous shall live by faith. — a verse that Luther called transformative in his understanding of salvation.

In the face of suffering, Luther, like the Oleruds, came to understand that sometimes the treatment — the difficult path God leads us on — has a greater good, even though it is painful at the time. Hebrews 12:11 speaks to this truth. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

The struggle, the pain, the hardship, all of it is not wasted. It does serve a higher purpose.

Parents, if you’re having this type of experience right now with your child — no matter their age or dilemma — take comfort in remembering that God, the Heavenly Father, assured His own Son that the treatment of the cross had a greater good. Jesus placing His trust in obedience to His good, good Father.

And like Luther and the Oleruds, we are often called to trust, even when we don’t understand why we’re being led down a painful path. When we face suffering and confusion, it’s good to listen and hear the Lord asking us for faith in Him. Sometimes the treatment, though painful, is being bent and worked on by the greater hands of God, who loves us dearly.

He is good. He is faithful. And He is with us through it all.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, in our moments of doubt and pain, help us to trust in You with unwavering faith. Strengthen us through our trials, just as you strengthened Martin Luther and the Oleruds in their time of struggle. And may we rest in the knowledge that Your ways are higher than ours, and that Your love for us is steadfast. Help us to trust in Your greater good, even when the journey is difficult. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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