So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” John 11:14-15

No one likes to see bad things occur to someone they love. It is painful to see a loved one suffer or to die.

When a loved one is suffering badly and has a great possibility of dying, most people will do whatever they can to prevent the death and alleviate the suffering. All that can be seen is the pain and suffering and that it must be stopped.

Lazarus had been sick and Jesus chose not to go to him. Later Lazarus dies. Jesus was glad He did not go to Lazarus while he was sick, but now goes to him. Jesus had the power to heal Lazarus and prevent death, but was glad that He did not do that. He had something greater in mind.

Humans can only see the here and now, they cannot see the future or even the bigger picture. God is greater than any thing that can come against a person. He can turn around a situation in a moment, but often does not.

The purpose of allowing suffering is to build a person in his faith. Healing a person is a great miracle, but raising one from the dead is even a greater miracle. One builds the faith some, while the other builds it a lot.

There are times God allows a time of pain and suffering to occur to allow a person to draw closer to Him. Believers are to rely completely upon God and trust His way of doing things. As one does this greater things can occur, the dead is raised to life, rather than just another healing.

As you are going through life, there will be times of pain and suffering. As you cry out to God for mercy, do not allow yourself to think that there is only one way to fix the problem. Put your trust in God, His timing and His ways.

God can do things in a greater way than you can imagine. He will do things in a way that will be for your benefit.

Allow Him to build your faith and trust in Him. Believe that God knows what He is doing and will do it in the best way possible.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Savior; that you will know you can trust God’s ways of doing things; that your faith in God will grow; and that you will see greater miracles of God being performed.