8th May, 2007

CHRIS THOMPSON

You might find the topic of suffering an odd subject to write, but I find it quite appropriate. I find that most, if not all, of us cringe at the thought of suffering. Quite naturally I suppose. However, I want to dive into the not-so-natural way to endure suffering, or, you could say, the 'supernatural' way to suffer.

PICTURE: Maria Lima (www.sxc.hu) "The truth is we all suffer from time to time, and each situation is unique because of personalities, circumstances and so on. The key, I believe, to suffering well is found in the second half John 16:33 where it says 'but be of good cheer I have overcome the world'. Amen!"

Honestly, I find the idea of suffering a most repulsive thought myself, but that doesn't change the reality of enduring my fair share of it. In fact, that is why I have developed a mindset of learning to suffer in a manner that brings glory to God. Let me say right up front that I have not perfected this at any level, but I have made it one of my life goals.

Quite possibly there are those of you who are already thinking to yourselves 'what a morbid topic'. My suggestion would be to take a step back and examine what Jesus told us as believers we would endure. So, for the purposes of this article, pick up your cross and come along with me as we strive to learn to suffer well.

I find that the best place to start on any subject is the Word. Let's look at what Christ has to say on the topic. John 16:33 states that "in this life you will have tribulations”. So we see that suffering is as much a part of our reality as anything else in life. Now I said ‘reality’ purposely, and I will come back to this concept in a minute.

My mother is great at offering needed wisdom at a moments notice. I remember, as a child, being tempted to break out into a pity party as a result of my personal suffering. Just when I was expecting to hear something along the lines of "Aw, Chris, it will be all right", my wise mother would bring out the old "get a grip" speech. That is exactly what the doctor ordered. Didn't taste well, but very effective!

I said that to say this: we live in a ‘me’ society, surrounded by ‘me’ people. Sometimes I just think we've lost our grip, if you will, on truth! Jesus said in this life we’re going to suffer, and that just rakes against the grain of every thing we want out of life. How dare suffering rear its ugly head! My mother would say “get a grip”!

The truth is we all suffer from time to time, and each situation is unique because of personalities, circumstances and so on. The key, I believe, to suffering well is found in the second half John 16:33 where it says "but be of good cheer I have overcome the world". Amen! Isn't that great stuff? Do you believe it? We must! The second half of this verse brings about a heavenly (future) perspective.

Please go with me to my life verse in Isaiah 43:1-4. Listen to how tender our Heavenly Father speaks to us:
Isaiah 43:1-4a (ESV):

"But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in exchange for you. Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you..."

Hear as our Heavenly Father tells us we're His! Feel the compassion He has for our needs. Read it again, only this time where it says ’Jacob’, and ‘Israel’ put your name instead. Go ahead, read it again. Don't worry, you won't be pulling anything out of context. Isn't that awesome?

You see, as a father, I understand the need for suffering in my children's lives. It brings about character. You better believe it tears me up inside to see them suffer, but I know that suffering is vital to their development into responsible, mature adults. And don't think for a minute that at the right moment I won't come rushing in to help or rescue!

Suffering that doesn't make sense, now that is where we just lose it, huh? I mean I can deal with a cold when I know that I went outside, in the middle of winter, without a coat on; but why cancer, why divorce, why “untimely” death. On and on we could go. These are sufferings that just do not make sense to us. We search and search for the answers to the questions in our mind, yet without satisfaction. I've been there; I've experienced suffering and I know you have also.
    

Earlier I had mentioned reality. I want to come back to this because I believe it gives great insight into suffering well.
    

When we think in terms of reality, we think of things we can touch, taste, smell, hear, and see. But I want to reinforce the truth that Truth is what matters in our lives. You see, as believers, we have a hope that this life (reality) is just the beginning of something much greater by far. Christ himself knew this as He suffered at the whipping post, as the soldiers mocked and spit, and as He was eventually crucified. He would not allow His reality to keep Him from suffering well for you and for me. Jesus embraced His cross so that we could, by His strength and grace, embrace ours.

Read these words from Hebrews 12.2 - "(L)ooking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God".

Notice the focus Jesus had. It was for the joyahead of Him that His present suffering was made worthy. Friends, we have joy ahead of us! We shouldn’t allow the enemy to rob us of this truth!

My favorite movie of all time is Braveheart. In the movie, Mel Gibson plays the storied character of William Wallace, a commoner raised to fame for his heroics. He leads a ragtag army of stubborn Scots to fight against the most powerful army of its time, England. In the end, William Wallace is betrayed, captured, and sentenced to death. Unwilling to renounce his loyalty to the cause and pay homage to the King of England, he is given a torturous death to say the least.

Just before his execution the Princess of Wales shows up and pleads with William to take a drug that will dull the pain, but Wallace refuses it and spits it out after her departure. What was his reason? He wanted to suffer well. He was afraid that the drug would take his senses, and in the process cause him to wail in pain or say something he did not mean.  Wallace wanted no part of this. He knew that the most severe path would obtain the best results in the end. After being terribly tortured (I will spare you the details), Wallace raises his head one last time and cries out F-R-E-E-D-O-M! As the story goes, the Scots go on to break free from the tyranny of England, all because one man chose to suffer well; thereby inspiring his fellow countrymen to stay the course and win their freedom.

This is exactly what Jesus did for us. He suffered well as an example so that we might also suffer well and in so doing win freedom for others through our Christ-like testimonies. What an awesome thought! We see this attitude exemplified in Acts 5:41 where the Apostles are rejoicing because they are counted worthy to suffer for His name’s sake.
    

We also recognize that our suffering is not outside the sovereignty of God. In fact, it is completely regulated by Him. This, too, is awesome! Why, because we are given the promise that we will not be given more than we can bear. Our Heavenly Father is not seeking to destroy us, but to make us a living testimony to His grace and glory! Halleluiah!
    

How do we suffer well? By keeping this attitude: we do it all for the glory of God! May His will be accomplished in our lives.
    

Finally, for those of you who may be suffering right now let me close with another favorite chorus of mine. Take heart with these words!

 "Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face. And the things of this world will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace".  (Revelation. 21:1-7)

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