Who hasn’t experienced suffering at some point in life? Consider the last time you suffered.  Why was it so mentally, emotionally or physically debilitating?

 

 

 

When we suffer we are often obsessed with relieving the pain and forget what it is we should be learning from the experience God ordained. Yes, God has ordains suffering. Throughout Scripture we see examples of God’s involvement of suffering (e.g. Job 1:1-2:6; Ezekiel; Acts 9:1-16; 2Cor 1:3-10). No one likes to suffer and our natural tendency is to live comfortably, so we look for a quick escape.  But in doing so we miss His extraordinary grace.

First, contextualize the suffering. Suffering doesn’t come out of the blue, even though it seems like it does.  We typically focus on our lives and how we want life to be. When suffering comes we are caught off guard. Throughout the Bible suffering is always in the context of God and his people.  Here are some examples from Paul’s life:  he suffered because Christ said he would for His sake (Acts 9:1-16); he understood that when he suffered he wasn’t to depend upon himself (2Cor 1:8-10); he knew he would have a deep fellowship with Christ and confidence of being with Him eternally (Php 3:10, 11). When we contextualize our suffering we gain a perspective of God’s grace that enhances our relationship with Him.

Second, trials and tribulations involve people, so identify those who are involved in your suffering. They maybe closely or loosely associated with you. When my stepfather was dying of leukemia there were many people around him. He interacted with Church people and others, such as doctors, nurses, accountants and business associates. Obviously the family was involved, some Christians and some not. He had long-time friends and made new friends. He knew all sorts of people. People watched him as he suffered, and when he died his memorial service was packed with the people he knew. He had a ministry, which was to tell others about Christ and when he spoke, others listened because his faith and character underscored the message of the cross. Do you reflect the grace of God when you suffer?

Third, worry, depression, physical pain, and rejection keep us up at night. When we suffer from any of these or a combination for a time the consequence can lead to hopelessness. Hopelessness is faithlessness and it is a sin. This sin is at our door ready to capture us, but we must not let it.  Suffering can lead to questioning whether God’s grace is really sufficient. We conclude that God has left. His perceived disappearance is the most agonizing dimension of suffering since God is our source of grace and mercy and hope. Psalms 10, 22, 38, 42, and 73 are examples that speak of a sufferer losing sight of God. This is when our theology needs to be robust. 

James 1:2-4 succinctly states the purpose of suffering - to test of our faith in God.  Mental, emotional, and physical misery forces us to make assertions about God’s character and faithfulness. We should realize that His grace is sufficient at all times and in every circumstance (2Cor 12:9), even though the times are difficult.