Seeing God's Purpose in Our Struggles

"Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him."
John 9:3 (KJV)

John chapter 9 records one of the most remarkable miracles in Jesus' ministry, the healing of a man who had been blind from birth.

Yet before the miracle ever occurred, Jesus used the moment to teach His disciples a profound lesson about suffering, purpose, and the glory of God.


The Wrong Question

When the disciples saw the blind man, their first instinct was to ask:

"Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?"
John 9:2 (KJV)

Their focus was on assigning blame.

Someone had to be responsible.

Someone must have caused this suffering.

This is often our first response as well.

When hardship enters our lives, we immediately ask:

  • Why did this happen?
  • What did I do wrong?
  • Whose fault is this?
  • Why would God allow this?

Our attention naturally turns toward the past.


Jesus Redirects Their Focus

Jesus answered:

"Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him."
John 9:3 (KJV)

Rather than discussing blame, Jesus pointed toward God's purpose.

Jesus shifted the conversation away from who caused the problem and toward what God was about to do.

The disciples looked backward.

Jesus looked forward.

They sought someone to blame.

Jesus saw someone He intended to restore.


Moving from "Why?" to "What?"

One of the central lessons is the difference between asking "Why?" and asking "What?"

Instead of continually asking:

  • Why is this happening?
  • Why me?
  • Why now?

The believer can begin asking:

  • Lord, what are You teaching me?
  • What do You want to accomplish through this?
  • How can this situation glorify You?
  • What work are You preparing to do?

These questions do not remove the pain, but they redirect our hearts toward God's purposes.


Not Every Answer Is Given in This Life

Some questions may never be fully answered on this side of heaven.

Scripture does not promise that we will understand every circumstance.

As Isaiah reminds us:

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD."
Isaiah 55:8 (KJV)

There are mysteries that remain within God's sovereign wisdom.

Faith does not require complete understanding.

It requires trusting the One who does understand.


God Can Give Purpose to Pain

Jesus did not minimize the man's suffering.

Blindness was real.

The hardship was real.

Yet Jesus declared that God could use that very circumstance to reveal His glory.

Throughout Scripture, God repeatedly demonstrates this pattern.

Joseph's betrayal led to the preservation of many lives.

The cross, the darkest event in history, became the means of humanity's salvation.

God has a unique ability to redeem what appears hopeless.

As Paul writes:

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
Romans 8:28 (KJV)

This does not mean that every event is good in itself.

Rather, God is able to work through every circumstance for His redemptive purposes.


Jesus Steps Into Our Brokenness

While we often become consumed with understanding our suffering, Jesus steps directly into it.

He is not distant.

He is not indifferent.

He enters the middle of our brokenness to bring healing, hope, and restoration.

The place that feels like the end of the story may become the very place where God's glory is displayed.


The Gospel

The greatest example of God bringing glory from suffering is found at the cross.

Jesus Christ, the sinless Son of God, willingly endured suffering that He did not deserve.

He died in the place of sinners, was buried, and rose again on the third day.

What appeared to be defeat became the greatest victory in history.

Through His death and resurrection, all who trust in Him receive forgiveness of sins, reconciliation with God, and the hope of eternal life.

The God who brought resurrection from the cross is still able to bring purpose from our pain.


Conclusion

John 9 invites us to shift our perspective.

Instead of remaining trapped in the endless question of "Why?", Jesus encourages us to trust that God is at work even when we cannot yet see the outcome.

Some answers may remain hidden for now.

But God's character never changes.

He is able to take broken situations and reveal His glory through them.

When suffering comes, may our prayer become:

"Lord, what do You want to accomplish through this? Show me how You will use this moment for Your glory." 

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