Why suffering?
A dialog that has gone on for a few years now with a friend regarding why do people suffer or moreso, does God get involved has brought me to this ten point summary. I humbly confess any and all fault in its ideas and wording is because of my limited ability, not God’s inability. Hoping it is helpful.
1. we are in a broken world so pain is a part of the formula (and it is broken because of humanities failings both original and continual) As Jesus said “in the world you shall have trouble, hurt, pain and suffering but be of good spirit and take courage for I am greater than this world” (my paraphrase)
2. we may cause our own suffering because of poor choices even sinful ones. particularly because of a lack of repentance and trust
Paul’s word paraphrased “for what sin both coporal and individual gives back in payment is suffering, both here in this world and in the eternal perspective, the present and the final death (but God’s gift is life)”
3. suffering can be opportunities for growth both for the individual and for the community “suffering-perserverance-character-hope- love”
4. something very special is offered to the lowly and broken. a great little book I read recently is “Brokenness and Community” by Jean Vanier that speaks simply yet profoundly to this. In the Beatitudes, it is the hurting ones that Jesus addresses first. Unfortunately the church and the world do not value them as the Lord does.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
5. the community of God’s people are to bring comfort to those in pain. the lonliness of pain many times is the greatest hurt and it is the call of the people of God to come alongside to be present. within the body when one suffers all suffers, outside the body, they may know who God is by our acts of compassion.
perhaps this is the greatest failing of the church and why so many suffer without comfort and many of us should be on our knees in repentance and on our feet walking along those who are hurting
6. there is the testimony of many who claim God’s touch through means of comfort, peace and joy. some would see his good work sharpening, purging, sharpening their character through means of suffering
7. some would also claim a healing. we know of the stories of healing in the gospels and the book of acts. many would tell of healings today, most of them in the revivals in the third world countries. explanation of these vary. most explanations refer to the lack of faith in the western mindset.
8. some will not be healed even if the person is trusting. it may be so the community can express itself in the demonstration of care or it may be the opportunity for His power to be expressed in such weakness. for some, that they may express the empathy of our high priest to others, who empathized with our every weakness. because we suffer we may comfort those who suffer with the comfort we receive.
9. this present suffering is faint in comparison to the weight of glory to be received
10. these are congruent to the Word of God as best as I have interacted with it and the world around me
If you have anything to add or reactions, please feel free to comment.
