Counselor’s Corner: God Gives Buffers in the Midst of Your Pain

A buffer can be defined as to lessen or moderate the impact of something; something that reduces shock or damage; or something that serves as a protective barrier.

Going through traumatic seasons in your life can be painful, but God always sends a buffer to ease your pain. A buffer is anything that softens the blow of your suffering. God does not just allow painful events in your life, but He also is a loving Father who provides cushions to reduce the sorrow and heartache. Pain and suffering can have tremendous purpose in your life, but during those times of agony God brings good gifts to you. The problem usually is we are so consumed with our pain that we can’t see the good gifts God has brought along the way.

Reflect and Ponder: Do you know what buffers (good gifts) God has brought you to cushion the pain and suffering you are enduring? Perhaps you have a prodigal child but you have an incredible Godly husband to buffer the pain of having a wayward child. Maybe you are not close to your family of origin but God has placed brothers and sisters in Christ in your life.

Counselor’s Corner: God gives different blessings to different people, I may not have a house full of children but I have a strong, godly spouse. It is important that I enjoy and be thankful for the blessing of my husband, and not be consumed on what I don’t have. There at times we make the pain in our lives an idol, we want what we want-even over intimacy with God! Our eyes can become laser focused on the thing that is seemingly being kept from us, while the good gifts we have go by the wayside.

Not everything is tough or painful in your life, there are aspects that are good and beneficial to you. If you choose to focus only on the hardship in your life, you won’t be able to see the goodness that God has given you. At times your pain may be so deep that you feel God has abandoned you, but He never leaves you alone or without. Look around and see what good gifts God has given you in the midst of your pain and suffering, and give thanksgiving for them.

MEDITATE ON THESE SCRIPTURES:

Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.

James 1:17

If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him.

Matthew 7:11