Torn—To Be—Healed

Shai Johnson

“Come, let us return to the Lord; for he has torn us, that he may heal us: he has struck us down, and he will bind us up.”—Hosea 6:1 (ESV)

Living with illness or enduring difficult seasons of life can often make us question everything. Why does suffering exist? Why do we have to go through such hard times? Why would a loving God allow us to endure pain and hardship? These are the questions I wrestle with daily. Since I was young, I’ve had to live with my health struggles, chronic conditions that seem to always be there, lingering and never truly leaving. Though there are moments when I feel good, it’s often followed by periods of pain, exhaustion, and frustration. In those moments, I’ve wondered, “Where is God in all of this? How can a loving God allow this much suffering?”

Reconciling the Paradox of Divine Love and Suffering

Hosea 6:1 speaks directly to this tension: “He has torn us, that he may heal us.” At first, it feels hard to reconcile the idea of a loving God allowing us to be torn down. How can God, who promises love, also strike us down? Doesn’t love protect? Doesn’t love heal immediately?

The truth I’m slowly coming to realize is that God’s love isn’t always what we expect. Sometimes, the path to healing is through struggle. Sometimes, healing takes time, and the process isn’t easy. It doesn’t mean God loves us any less, it means He’s at work in deeper ways than we often see.

Embracing God's Mysterious Path to Healing

God’s healing often comes in unexpected ways. It’s not always immediate or obvious. We may not see the results we want right away, but that doesn’t mean healing isn’t taking place. It might be that we’re healed in our hearts before we’re healed in our bodies. It might mean that the healing process takes time, requiring us to trust in God’s plan even when unsure of what that looks like.

There are moments when I feel completely torn apart by my illness, my pain, and my doubts. But when I step back and look at the bigger picture, I can see that God is at work in ways I didn’t expect. I’ve learned that He doesn’t waste our pain. Though I don’t have all the answers or understand the reasons behind the struggles, I can trust that God is always at work, even in the hardest moments.

Embracing the Journey: Finding Healing Through Struggle

Sometimes, the struggle itself is part of God’s healing process. We don’t always understand how God works, but we can trust that He’s using the pain to shape us into something more whole, more refined. Healing doesn’t always look like we imagine. Sometimes, it’s the inner strength that arises in the middle of the pain. Other times, it’s the peace we feel amid uncertainty. And sometimes, the unexpected moments of joy come even when circumstances are hard.

God is not distant. He is with us, walking alongside us through every painful moment, holding us when we feel broken, and lifting us when we feel like we can’t stand. He has torn us, but He will bind us up again. The process may be painful, but it leads to restoration. Healing is not always instant, but it is certain. God is in the business of restoring His children, in ways both seen and unseen.

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Your Turn: How can you invite God into your moments of struggle, trusting that His presence can bring healing, even if the answers aren’t clear yet?

Prayer: Dear God, I come to you with a heart full of questions and struggles. Sometimes it’s hard to understand why the healing takes so long or the journey feels so painful. Help me trust that you are with me, even in the darkest times. Remind me that your love for me is not just in the moments of comfort, but also in the moments of pain and growth. Strengthen my faith, even when I don’t have all the answers, and help me trust your perfect timing and love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.