Through The Bible in a Year - April 16, 2026

“As I have watched over them to pluck up and break down, to overthrow, destroy, and bring harm, so I will watch over them to build and to plant.” – Jeremiah 31:28

Have you heard of Marsili pain syndrome? Those who have it feel no pain. No earaches, no sore throats, no migraines. Lucky, right?

Except they also don’t notice an infected toe, a broken bone, or a festering wound. One mother described her son falling off his bicycle and breaking his elbow—but he didn’t realize it, so he cycled another nine miles, so damaging his elbow that it’s now beyond repair.

If there is no pain, then the alarm signals don’t go off. The problems aren’t noticed. The problem gets worse and worsewithout help or healing being applied.

Pain is a mercy when it’s the alarm turning you from greater danger.

God’s words to the prophet Jeremiah must be understood in this context. The Lord says about the people of Israel, “I have watched over them to pluck up and break down, to overthrow, destroy, and bring harm.” That sounds like it hurts. It does. But that’s not the end, the goal. The Lord adds, “So I will watch over them to build and to plant.”

The pain that we think signals God’s abandonment is actually the divine alarm. God may be saying through a detour from temptation or through the actual consequences of sin, “You are about to cross the threshold of some spiritual harm.”

Yet, at the very same moment, he is declaring, “You shall not breach the love of God. I am re-directing you from danger to maintain My purpose, My plan, My hand in your life.”

It’s hard, but necessary, to believe that the pain we experience is not abandonment—it’s the alarm of a God who refuses to let us destroy ourselves.

Respond: What pain in your life feels like God has abandoned you? Realize it may actually be his alarm. Through our pain and difficulties, a faithful God can be shouting, “Turn back before it gets worse.” The very pain that makes you think God has departed is actually the proof that He’s still watching over you?

Prayer: Lord, this hurts. It feels like You’ve abandoned me, like You’re destroying instead of building. But You say sin’s alarms are exhibitions of your mercy—that You’re watching over me even in the pain—redirecting me even by the pain. Help me trust that You haven’t forgotten me. You’re turning me from greater harm. By your planting and pruning help me to grow into the maturity and blessings you intend for my eternal good. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.