You Would Think
but you would be wrong
Scripture Reading: Revelation 16:8-10
C.S. Lewis famously wrote, “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks to us in our conscience, but he shouts at us in our pain. It is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” It is a great line; one that I have quoted numerous times over the years. There is truth in it. But it isn’t the whole truth.
As we see in Revelation 16, pain might be a megaphone, but if you are deaf, you still won’t hear the message. These people on whom God pours out bowls of his wrath, do not “repent and give him glory.” Instead, they curse the name of God.
So, we have to be careful not to assume that someone’s suffering will turn them toward Christ. We can thank God for every time that does happen, and we all know instances where someone had to hit bottom before they looked up. Still, we can’t assume that will be the case for everyone.
Instead of assuming that pain would rouse your deaf friend, be an active means God can use to help your friend turn from their suffering to the Savior. Pray that the trials and troubles they are enduring would be a means of turning them to Christ. Speak to them as the Lord gives you the opportunity and point them to the hope and help there is in Christ. Don’t assume pain alone will do the job. They need to hear the gospel as well as feel the heat.
