By: Debbie Christopher~~So, how does my hairstylist’s thumb help answer a deep theological question? Truly, this strange sounding comparison sheds light on the question as to why a loving God allows pain and heartache, and how He helps us endure the process.
Please consider the example of having my ‘stache waxed as part of my regular haircut appointment…Yes, you read correctly. It is a perfect comparison when you think about it.
There is pain involved when I have my brows and ‘stache waxed on haircut day... it can’t be helped... it is part of the process... but, by golly, Diana is quick to press her thumb on the spot to ease the pain as she rips off the strip.
Pain and heartache in life is part of life. The sinful world resulting from dear Adam/Eve has made pain inevitable... but, our Heavenly Father is right there to ease the pain... and to bring good from it. 2 Corinthians 2:1-7 (seen below) demonstrates both, as does Romans 8:28-29.
There is a purpose for me ‘enduring’ the waxing process. It is a process that makes me ‘beautiful’. It makes me more presentable to the public. It's beneficial.
Let’s consider 2 Corinthians 1-7:
“Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so through Christ our comfort also overflows. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation. If we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is experienced in your endurance of the same sufferings that we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that as you share in the sufferings, so you will share in the comfort.”
2 Corinthians 1:3-7 HCSB
According to these verses not only is our Heavenly Father there to ease the pain, He also has a purpose for the painful and bumpy journeys we often walk through. We come through more Christlike and ready to ‘be there’—-ease the pain—for others.
I think about this passage each time I have this done... so I decided to post my wild and crazy life comparison and trust it encourages you as well!
Like Diana, our Heavenly Father is there to ease the pain and to beautify our lives for Him...
Thanks Diana for your ever faithful thumb…
~Debbie
Locals...check out Diana at Artistic Hair Design...she's been beautifying my husband and me...and our family---for at least 20 years.
I like that Corinthians passage!