The question of why we have to go through so much loss and heartache for so little gain is a deeply personal and universal one. It is a question that has puzzled many people, including Christians, and has led to a lot of searching and questioning. In the Bible, we see examples of people who have gone through great struggles and hardships, but have ultimately emerged stronger and more faithful in their relationship with God. For example, the apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 3:7-8, "But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith." This passage shows us that even though Paul had a lot to lose, he was willing to give it up for the sake of Christ. He counted everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus his Lord. This is a powerful example of what it means to put God first and to prioritize our relationship with Him above all else.
In our own lives, we may not be called to give up as much as Paul was, but we may still experience loss and heartache. When this happens, it can be tempting to wonder why God is allowing it. We may feel like we are going through so much for so little gain. But the truth is that God is not necessarily trying to take something away from us. Rather, He is trying to take us away from something - our own self-centeredness, our own desires and expectations, and our own sense of control. When we experience loss and heartache, it can be an opportunity for us to let go of our own desires and to trust in God's sovereignty. It can be an opportunity for us to see that our worth and identity are not found in our possessions, our relationships, or our accomplishments, but in our relationship with God. As the psalmist wrote, "My soul is sorrowful, even to death. There was no sin in Him, and yet He suffered deeply." This shows us that even Jesus, who was sinless, experienced deep sorrow and suffering. And yet, He emerged from it stronger and more faithful than ever.
So, why do we have to go through so much loss and heartache for so little gain? The answer is that it is not about the gain at all. It is about our relationship with God. It is about trusting in His sovereignty and His goodness, even when we don't understand what is happening. It is about seeing that our worth and identity are not found in our circumstances, but in our relationship with Him. As we go through difficult times, let us remember that God is not trying to take something away from us. Rather, He is trying to take us away from our own self-centeredness and to bring us closer to Himself. Let us trust in His goodness and sovereignty, and let us see that our relationship with Him is the greatest gain of all.