If you've heard this story you know Jesus didn't give them a direct answer. He didn't tell John's disciples "Yes I am the One." Instead He reminded them of all the miracles that were happening: the lame walk, the blind see, the sick are healed. And then Jesus said after He listed a bunch of miracles, "And blessed is he who keeps from stumbling over Me." Luke 7:23
I don't know if I've ever gotten that before. This morning I did (at least in part). Jesus' answer was one that encouraged John to look at the big picture, to see all that was going on, to help his eyes get on God rather than his own circumstances. When we rip our eyes off ourselves and the circumstances that are causing us pain or hardship and put them on God, our souls can rest in Him. We remember He's got a bigger plan than we can see. Our circumstances fit into that plan, but for them to work within it we have to trust Him, be at peace.
We stumble over Jesus when our eyes are on ourselves and our situations. When we find ourselves saying, "Why is God doing this to me?" or "Why is God letting this happen?" in a way that somewhere inside us we are accusing God of gaining great enjoyment from watching us suffer. This is never the case.
Sometimes suffering/pain is necessary, but God allows it only then.
Last week my Maggie had surgery. She's been in pain since. But daily she's getting stronger and is quite proud of herself when she can walk farther than she did the day before. I'm not enjoying her pain whatsoever. But I allowed the surgery because I know after she heals she will grow straighter and it will benefit her whole body and mind.