PASTOR’S CORNER
GOD’S PURPOSEFUL PAIN DURING THE PANDEMIC PERIOD By Bishop Kevin M. Harrison, Sr.
A
s of the writing of this article, there have been approximately 46 million cases of COVID-19 reported. 740,000 deaths and 35,000,000 that have recovered. Thank God for those who are healed!
It would almost be presumptuous to think that the visible church has not been impacted. What is the impact on the visible church? Many of us are still experiencing the residuals of this history-changing plague. Most would agree this period of the pandemic has once again demonstrated the resilience of the invisible church spoken of in Matthew 16:18-19. The Lord’s church is still standing just differently. Parking lot and virtual services that promote unity shows a sharpened focus. Still with all of these adjustments, the memory of the pandemic is still with us. Should the pain be erased? This has been a season of teachable moments, showing us things are going to happen in our faith walk that will affect growth. There will be struggles and we need help through the painful processes. That is what Jesus does. The process is sometimes painful, but it is a part of our spiritual growth. Spiritual growth is not achieved independently. God’s grace makes all things possible. Satan with all of his devices cannot reverse Calvary. Jesus is our victory through painful processes. Abundant life in Jesus gives us strength because we cast all our cares on Him. Realize that God has a purpose and a plan for your
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THE CHRISTIAN OUTLOOK
pain. This can be physically proven (2 Cor. 12:7-8). When you hit your knee against something, nerve impulses travel from your knee to your brain then from your brain to your mouth and “OUCH” of “Jesus” (hopefull) comes out. The purpose of that pain is to make us aware of an injury so as not to repeat it. Physical pain signals that something is wrong. What about the pain that God allows? Growing pains that God allows are not negative. If God allows them, we must believe that they have purpose. However, purpose does not make it any less painful (2 Corinthians 12:7). Great speculation by theologians regarding Paul’s thorn have been debated. The mystery regarding Paul’s thorn leads us to the conclusion that that sort of thorn is not important. What is important is God’s reason for the thorn. God allowed it into Paul’s life to keep him humble. Some of the adjustments in the church during this pandemic are that prayer meetings have increased, souls are coming to be saved, and have you noticed some folks are friendlier? There are good things that are happening as a result of the pandemic. Understanding COVID-19 did not make it any less painful. Knowing the facts behind COVID-19 pandemic gave us a greater awareness, but there was no decrease of the
“WALKING IN THE PROMISE OF GOD”
MAY/JUNE 2022
