Suffering

Suffering

 We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed,

We are perplexed but not in despair—2 Cor. 4:8

Suffering is a major course in the Christian syllabus. This truth is a stumbling block to many. Often we do not understand why God’s chosen ones should suffer. We typically conceive it to be the consequence of some sin of the sufferer. But this may not be so. Suffering in this world can be and indeed is God’s will for His children. For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ not only to believe in Him but also to suffer for His sake—Phil. 1:29. This Scripture grieves many, others think it is archaic. But God’s ways do not evolve.

 

Forever, O Lord Your word is settled in heaven—Ps. 119:89. Hence the truth remains. God permits suffering and that as a favor to His children. To you it has been granted to suffer for His sake This is the wisdom of God.

 

We have no natural explanations for certain situations we encounter. Suffering, though distasteful to our natural appetites, places us in fellowship with God. That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death—Phil. 3: 10. Suffering, for the Christian, is fellowship with Christ. Christ Himself suffered much in this world. He was made perfect through sufferings—Heb. 2:10

 

Thus, we will only be like Christ when we patiently endure. Suffering as designed by God is not to humiliate us, neither is it meant to frustrate us. Its purpose is two-fold; firstly, it exposes our real selves to us and secondly it perfects us.

 

Unfavorable conditions have a compelling way of provoking a variety of responses from us. At such trying periods, that which normally is concealed becomes evident. The thief on the cross, crucified along-side Christ is an example of this. In the midst of suffering he chose to ridicule and to curse Christ. Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him saying, “If You are the Christ save Yourself and us.”- Lk. 23: 39. We also see Paul who, though in prison, chose to rejoice and sing praises. But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them—Acts16: 25.

 

Christ Himself at the peak of His sufferings prayed, Father forgive them Lk.23: 34. Thus, suffering exposes our inner selves by our responses to situations. Many are tempted to pull back from Christ at the suggestion of suffering. This unwillingness to suffer demonstrates that true love for Christ is lacking. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it—Mtt. 10: 39. It is not possible to follow Him with thoughts for gain and a life of ease and actually be a true Christian.

 

But as we submit to His gradual exposure of our real selves and cry out to Him for help, He heeds us by refining us through the process of suffering.

 

Secondly, we progress towards perfection by the things we suffer. Gold in its natural state is unattractive. To be of value, it must pass through the fires of purification. Likewise, we remain crude and of no use unless we pass through God’s furnace. Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction — Isa. 48:10. This process is usually unpleasant, but in the end the wisdom of God proves that all things work together for good to those who love God—Rm. 8:28.

 

Suffering does not last forever. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.—Ps. 30:5. It is this truth that should continually motivate us to endure, even with joy. My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials—Jas. 1:2.

 

At the time of suffering, human support and encouragement may disappear. But this should not be strange to you, for no one can truly know how happy or sad you are. The heart knows its own bitterness, And a stranger does not share its joy—Prov. 14:10. It is the one who wears the shoe that knows where it pinches.

 

At such times, life may become unbearable, thinking you are pushed to the limits. Grace and hope seem beyond your reach. The society may despise you, saying all manner of things against you. In my adversity they rejoiced and gathered together…with ungodly mockers at feasts they gnashed at me with their teeth—Ps. 35:15-16.

 

In their estimation, you are of no worth. According to the wisdom of the world you are useless unless you are prosperous. But don’t fret, neither should you be alarmed. Men will always be men. Some will even say that you are not serious, but rather lazy. Others will view you as a social nuisance. Religious enthusiasts will doubt your salvation since, to them, you must surely be a sinner to suffer as you do.

 

But do not worry. You know Whom you have believed; fix your eyes on Jesus. Looking unto Jesus the Author and the Finisher of our faith—Heb. 12:2. The earth may turn to iron beneath your feet, the heavens may become like brass to you and your prayers seems incapable of penetrating. Still, God knows every time a tear drops. He knows every time you sigh and groan at the loneliness and frustrations of life.

 

Friend, at this point you arrive at the junction of confusion. To move forward seems impossible, to turn to the right seems dangerous, to go leftwards presents hopelessness and to turn back would be foolishness. Your soul cries but your eyes fail to produce tears; your heart yearns for love but none is forthcoming. You appear to carry a load far beyond your years.

 

At this juncture there lies a great temptation. The flesh suggests that you act on your own will. It tells you “You see, God has forgotten you. It’s not bad if you try an alternative. You can help God bring God about His purpose. Heaven helps those who help themselves.”

 

But this is not true. It is a deception from our own hearts to lure us astray. Many times, these suggestions also come from those we love or respect. This was the dilemma facing Abraham. God had made a promise to him. Time was going and Abraham and Sarah were impatient in waiting upon the Lord. Then Sarah suggested Please go in to my maid; perhaps I shall obtain a child by her—Gen. 16:2. Abraham concurred and Ishmael was brought forth. But Ishmael became a snare to Abraham and to humanity at large. He is the ancestor of the Arab nations and of the Muslims, to be precise. [Gen.16:12]. Up until today, we suffer the consequences of Abraham’s error [Gal. 4:29].

 

Hasty decisions in the time of confusion only lead to further confusion and compound our problems in the end. Finally, we will even have to throw out the devastating results of our self efforts [Gal. 4:30].

 

Friend, in times like these you need an anchor. Do not drown in the midst of life’s troubles. Jesus will come to you.

 

Let us learn from the moon. It will never be in a hurry to come out in the daytime. Yet it comes out at its appointed time, and when it does, it shines brightly even though its surroundings are dark. Let us yet hope in the Lord and not rely on our own understanding [Prov. 3:5], especially during times of suffering.

 

But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen and settle you—1Pet. 5:10.