One believer had fallen into a deep crisis of faith. The reason was a troubling question: “Why do good people who believe in God face unfair accidents and hardships, while those who do not acknowledge God at all seem to live so well, enjoying blessings?” It was much like the question posed in the book of Job in the Old Testament — Why do the righteous who serve God suffer, while the wicked seem to prosper under God’s apparent indifference?

I myself once wrestled with similar questions and even thought of God as unfair and partial. I used to complain about why I, of all people, had to live a confined, difficult life as a pastor’s wife — restricted from pursuing the worldly things I desired. Looking back, I realize those complaints had nothing to do with God’s purposes. What I thought of as being bound was actually a period of my soul maturing like leaven in bread. Even though the process might seem slow and the bread must rise and be baked before it is truly bread, so too did my life need time in order to produce its intended richness.

What do we really mean when we talk about “blessing” through our human eyes? Does being blessed mean having plenty of money and all the things we desire at our fingertips? A few days ago, there was a report in the newspaper of a Korean couple who shot each other dead — and $1.5 million in cash was found in their hidden safe. Until recently, they were regarded as successful, blessed people by everyone around them.

On the other hand, we sometimes encounter fellow believers who experience unexpected hardships and failures. Yet even in those hardships and failures, they may come to possess a true pearl of blessing. I have seen people who were once stubborn and narrow-minded become broad-minded, flexible, and mature because of suffering they never wished for.

I’ve also witnessed young couples who wept many tears over their newborn who was born prematurely and had to undergo countless surgeries. This was suffering they never desired. But in the process, their inner character matured, their eyes opened to how many fragile lives live in pain, and they began to appreciate even the smallest graces that they had never noticed before. That tiny child became a source of true blessing for the family.

When people take pride in their beauty, wealth, and status they received at birth, they often lose their sense of discernment and squander their blessings. It’s only after putting together the puzzle pieces of each moment in life that we recognize the wondrous face of blessing that has been cast over our lives.

That’s why none of us can pick up a single fragment of life and declare, “This is a blessing,” or, “That is not.” What matters is that, whatever the circumstances, we recognize God’s presence and give thanks for all the ways God goes before us. The testimonies of those who have gone before us — as well as our own experiences — prove that the face of blessing is revealed most clearly when we acknowledge God and persevere.

Scripture tells us that our life as created beings does not end in this visible world; another eternal world awaits. Even if we indulge in every luxury on earth, if we do not know the Creator, we will face suffering in the world to come — as Jesus warned through the story of the rich man and Lazarus. The face of blessing as we see it and the face of blessing as God gives it may not be the same. Let us remember this as we face hardships and live with a steadfast faith that can embrace our present trials with grace.

wanheeyoon@hotmail.com