The mystery of suffering

If we put a bulletin board with "willing to suffer" for people to sign their names. I guarantee none of us will sign. If we put a bulletin board with "suffering" on it, I can see there will be a lot of signatures. No one welcomes suffering, but it will find us anyway. Suffering is part of everyone's life, regardless of time and cultural boundaries. As a matter of fact, some of us are heavily in it, some of us are coming out of it only to take a short breath, some of us are heading to it.

People can not help to ask hard questions about suffering. Those questions are challenging to the mortals' soul. If God is good, why would He allow people to suffer, even His own people? If God is all powerful, why would He not intervene? So many "why"s are ringing in people's ear, haunting their soul, making them suffer even worse.

We strongly desire a understanding of how to interpret suffering, either personal pain or worldwide tragedy. We prefer clear answers rather than mystery. There is only one question "why do people suffer?" is simple to answer. It is because "sin" introduced suffering into this world. The suffering and anguish associated with suffering can all be traced to sin and its curse. However, while the general cause of suffering remains clear, leave no room to doubt, not all suffering directly results from specific sin, leave room to wonder. Please, don't allow our wondering mind causes us more trouble in the time of suffering. But unfortunately, we do get this kind of trouble because we try to reduce God and His ways to fit into our limited human understanding. Sound biblical thinking helps but cannot satisfy every question because God reserves some mysteries to Himself. Many legitimate, honest questions cannot be fully answered by finite, sinful minds. We have no way to accurately assess reasons for our pain. But we can be sure that the pain of this life is neither random nor without purpose. God weaves just enough suffering incorporating with rich spiritual benefits into our lives to keep us dependent upon Him, to worship Him only. Our loving God promises not to give one ounce more than we can eendure. In this case, we cannot afford to waste any of our suffering which is so profitable. We should welcome suffering and sign our names on the first bulletin board. Paul said, "for our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweigh them all."

The benefits of suffering are beyond measure. What are they? Roman 8:28 is often quoted lightly and with poor timing to people in suffering, but this Scripture does provide heavenly perspective. " And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him , who have been called according to his purpose." The ultimate "good" which God accomplishes for the people "who love" Him in "all things" is explained clearly in the next verse, verse 29. "For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son." God strategically plans to use everything in our life to make us more and more like Jesus to glorify His name.

God loves us too much to spare us the development of wisdom and character that is only forged through suffering and pain. The development matures us so we can experience significant spiritual growth. We grow in our Lord Jesus' likeness. Season of growth are most often connected with time of challenge. Just as storms and drought force the roots of a tree to grow deep into the earth, times of suffering and calamity in our lives draw our faith deep into our Lord. Suffering drives us deep into God's Word to take it as our lifeline.

Physical growth produces growth pain which we do not need to complain about. In the same way, spiritual growth also leaves growth pain which we do not need to grumble about. We can grow without grumbling. In this case, we can sign our names on the second bulletin board since we do not consider our time of trials as suffering. We use the circumstances to earn our spiritual profit. Roman 5:3-4 told us, "we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope."

As Christian, we suffer in particular ways. We constant battle against temptation to give in to sin or temptation to self control our lives. This kind of struggle is not understood by the world. This is our battle with our sinful willingness and God wins for us. God loves us too much to let our sin go unchecked. God loves us too much to let us drive our lives out of His control. It is always right to search our own hearts to exam what sin needs to be confessed even when we are suffering the consequences of other people's sin. It is always right to search our hearts to see who sit on the throne to control our lives in order for Him to drive even when everything seems go so well in the moment. This kind struggle challenges us greatly, but it is far more troubling to give in without fighting fervently and ask God to win it for you since you are weak, not strong enough to win yourself.

I want to share with you what I learn from my personal suffering using the story of Joseph as a metaphor. Joseph's brothers sold him into slavery in Egypt. Joseph endured perhaps twenty years of disappointment and suffering. I was wronged by others and I could suffer for almost twenty years. Fortunately, I was not aware of the ugly fact most of the time by God's grace. I only suffered a short time after I realized the wrong things done to me. God is faithful and gracious to me. He did not let me be tempted beyond what I can bear. I recognize God's provision and protection even I used to credit them to others.

But nevertheless my pain is real. Suffering can become very intensive sometimes, almost crippling. When I let bitterness and hatred take hold, understanding of God's purpose can blur as pain numbs my mind and floods my emotions. My desire to revenge is so strong and dangerous, and it hurts.

Joseph was hurt badly too. The Bible never glosses over the real pain he endured. We can tell this by the names he gave to his sons. And Joseph held his brothers responsible for his suffering, but he recognized God's overruling purpose: " You intended to harm me, but God intended for good to accomplish ..." I also hold the ones who hurt me responsible for my suffering to certain degree. Honestly I can not blame them hundred percent since I had my own share of being wrong. I want to point out to them plainly, "you intended to harm me." But I definitely will add this, "But God intended it for good to accomplish in my life." I do not specificly know what "good" God stores for me in the future, I might never fully understand why I suffered the pain in this life. But I want to trust Him and He is worthy. He will reveal the "good" He saved for me since the beginning of time.

Though hard to understand, Our Lord Jesus learned obedience through what He suffered. We often say obedience brings blessings. But true obedience can only be learned through real life suffering, like our Lord did. So we might say suffering brings blessings. Indeed, following Jesus always lead us to the cross, but eventually, lead us to our final destination: heaven. Our journey of suffering ends in heaven because this is where our Lord is now and forever. 

I pray that God will give me mercy and grace to forgive the ones who hurted me, will give me power and strength to do good in my time of suffering, will give me opportunities and wisdom to encourage and comfort others who suffer, in His name!