Lamentations 1:12
“And you passersby, look at me! Have you ever seen anything like this? Ever seen pain like my pain, seen what he did to me, what GOD did to me in his rage?”
“Does it mean nothing to you, all you who pass by? Look around and see if there is any suffering like mine, which the Lord brought on me when he erupted in fierce anger.”
Perhaps Pharisees used Lamentations to develop their belief that all suffering is the result of sin. Christ made hash of it. But in this case, Israel did bring her suffering upon herself. Society today believes suffering is at the hands of others, never the consequence of sin. The truth is both. Suffering is a fact of life for every person. Does it shape or destroy? Our choice.
Lord, you have led me through some dark valleys, proving your faithfulness over and over. Yet I still fear the dark. Forgive me lack of faith. Give me strength to walk through it, allowing your sculpting touch.