Accepting Suffering

Dear Fellow Trekker,
Though ‘suffering in life is the inevitable consequence of man’s alienation from God’ (as we noted last month), there is more to the story, if we are to truly ‘accept suffering’, as I challenged us all last month. I am compelled to write more on this ever-present phenomenon known as suffering.

It was years ago, maybe 50 or so, when the verse of James leaped from the page into my psyche: “Consider it pure joy, my brother, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. (And) perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” The then commentary along with the admonition from James told of a nurse being harassed unmercifully by certain patients, till alas, she could take the verbal abuse no longer, and complained bitterly to the hospital chaplain. He directed her, encouragingly, to James, stating that when verbally jostled she would spill forth whatever was within. Hence, her verbal abuse and suffering were an opportunity for ministry to others… as well as opportunity for growth in personal character. Along with James, another applicable verse which unites joy and victory with suffering is Hebrews 12: 2b… “(Jesus) who for the joy set before him, endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

If we dare to be men of God, an essential part of Spirit formation in us is the role of suffering. Another chaplain of another era said that anyone undisturbed by the challenge of suffering had either a hard heart or a soft brain… or, I might add, both. One cannot deny suffering; neither should one fail to see it as useful for His purposes.

Why accept suffering? There are multiple reasons I have noted in my three score and eleven:
• Suffering softens the human spirit. There is so often an indefinable fragrance which wafts around people who have suffered. Their fragrance is the aroma of the suffering Christ. It is meek, gentle, and infectious. I hope I exude this fragrance; I desire it for you as well.
• Suffering gives opportunity to worship. We noted this past summer in studying Job, that after receiving the calamitous news of the death of his sons and the loss of all he possessed, he fell on his knees and worshipped God (Job 1). Focus on that for a moment; is it not indescribably poignant?
• Our suffering allows us to identify with Christ, and experience the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death. (Philippines 3). In death and suffering emerges victory. Life emerges from the pain of death; it can be no other way; God planned it so.
• Suffering aids self-examination. God does not mind our asking why. “Whys’ of His children lead to deeper truth and trust. We are often given the cup of suffering to learn firsthand our responsibilities of stewardship and the dire consequences of living life, humming, “I did it my way”.
• Our suffering leads us to consider the impact of our lives on others. We are not always the oppressed; we can oppress others. Columnist George Will said recently, “This is an age of social autism, in which people just can’t see the value of imagining their impact on others.” God help us! Deliberate or unconscious infliction of suffering on the unprotected and undeserving is cruelty of the rankest order.
• Mutual suffering can build long-term relationships and enhance community. Suffering shared is half the pain quite often. Walking in another’s shoes promotes understanding, steers honest criticism, and bonds suffering saints together.
• Suffering often uniquely advances the Kingdom of God.

Chuck Colson has just completed a new book, The “Good Life”. When he asked noted clergyman, Father Richard Neuhaus to critique an early draft, Neuhaus responded, “It all sounds just a little too rosy. Remember, even Mother Teresa had days of depression.” Colson regrouped and very effectively recounts his own suffering pilgrimage, particularly those losses and lonely limpings which have occurred since his conversion.

Yes, we all have days of depression, days of defeat and real or imagined despair. Jesus sweat great drops of blood in anguish and agony. Few of us suffer unto death. Neither self pity practitioners nor health and wealth gospeleers serve us well when they exclude the benefits of suffering. In speaking of his own suffering, Colson states: “I was reminded how God so often uses the suffering of believers for His redemptive purposes.” Colson’s life and hatchet-man schemes landed him in prison, but God used man’s failings for good. Prison Fellowship, a hallmark ministry to thousands in our day, was born out of imprisonment of one man. One is reminded as well of Joseph’s sufferings; yet “God meant it for good,” he told his brothers.

In recent years, I have experienced a form of suffering that has plunged me to greater depths of faith in the Savior and Lifegiver than ever before in my life. I hope to be more explicit in time. Suffering in the end must be accepted. We must say, where he leads me I will follow and what he feeds me I will swallow. The chiseling process must be relentless if the image is to be faithfully reproduced.

Accept suffering? Yes, if we are His! Paul says it well to the Romans: “If we are His children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs of Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory” The real test of our desire for Christ only is our willingness to suffer, and only then is our oneness complete.

Trekker, accepting suffering does not mean helpless resignation to the reality of the inevitable or adopting a martyr complex. We are not to be in denial, but ever seeing, learning and growing in suffering. God uses all things for His glory. Suffering is a powerful tool in the Master’s hand, and be assured, we rarely will understand the “why,” completely.

Your fellow trekker, sometimes limping along the trail, but always with the Master limping along beside me,
Jim Meredith

Postscript note: My son-in-law, Eric Wesley, is serving as a Battalion Commander in Iraq. Suffering is rampant there. I am including his recent report, an attached document, with this MEN in hopes you will assess the suffering and challenge of our troops a bit more accurately, and pray accordingly.