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NOT JUST BLUE SKIES AND RAINBOWS By Jean Jantzen
I walked a mile with Pleasure; I walked a mile with Sorrow, — Robert Browning Hamilton Do we expect life to be full of apple blossoms and roses with no thorns and briars? When someone has serious health or financial problems do we think God is not blessing them? Do we secretly believe that person must be committing sin and God is punishing them…or in the very least, not applying the laws of success? Ninety year old Helen, a church member of forty plus years, was in a car accident a few years ago; recently she broke her hip and found out she has terminal cancer. She can’t get over the feeling she has done something wrong, that she has committed a sin and God is punishing her. Where does she get such an idea? As much as I tell her that is not the case she is reluctant to believe me. She has strength of character, is courageous, upbeat, and a wonderful inspiration to us all. So what can we learn from scripture about the role of suffering in our lives? Is it something we should avoid? Is it a sign God is punishing us? James lets us in on a secret: "My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. Indeed we count them blessed who endure" (5:10, 11). (Hebrews 11:35-38) It seems suffering is part of the territory of a called out Christian and in the end proves to be a blessing. If we would rise with Christ, we must first be humbled with Him. (Luke 14:11) Let’s take a look at an Old Testament example with Moses’ experience in Egypt. As an adopted son he had a privileged court-reared teenage-hood and received the finest education available to a prince of Egypt. He became a skilful general and was acknowledged as a conquering hero. It would have been a life of power, prestige, luxury, wealth, travel and fine foods, the very best that life could offer. Can you imagine giving that up for a life of hardship and adversity? Yet, Moses chose to identify himself with his own, despised people rather than claim the throne of the greatest world power of that time. Either he was crazy or he thought the rewards worthwhile. Yes, he looked beyond the present and chose what counted for eternity. He knew the pleasures of Egypt would be short lived. (Hebrews 11:26) "Moses…refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God" (Hebrews 11:24, 25). Moses chose suffering! We too, should look beyond our present lives to the Kingdom of God where we will be kings and priests reigning with Jesus Christ. We should look at this time period as time well spent: a time of learning and overcoming. In the New Testament, Paul shares his decisions with us. "To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me" (2Corinthians12:7-10). Yet, he chose to suffer. It seemed a simple decision. Because God loves us He brings greater and greater tests into our lives in order to mature us and to conform us "to the image of His Son" (Romans 8:29). We want our children to grow up and be God-fearing, honest, hardworking, loving, kind, respectful of others, obeying the laws of the land. And we do whatever it takes to educate, discipline and direct them for their own good, even if it takes tough love. Why would God do any less for us? In short, we need to grow up. (Hebrews 5:12-14) Paul tells us plainly that suffering is part of the human experience. Satan tempted Jesus, offering Him all the kingdoms of the world, but Jesus made the choice to suffer, so did His disciples. (Matthew 4:1-10) (Matthew 16:21) Jesus was perfected through suffering; He also learned obedience. (Hebrews 2:10) (5:8) "Because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted" (2:18). When God called us we needed to make a choice. We had to count the cost…would we take on the suffering of Christ? Would we allow God to refine us like gold? I remember saying to God "Whatever it takes…bring it on." I wanted to do what Christ wanted regardless of the cost. I was so excited, so full of zeal. I still am. Of course I had to ask for His mercy and forbearance along the pathway of learning. Suffering reminds us of the vanity and brevity of life. Solomon would have us know that "life under the sun" is not always blue skies and rainbows. Consider these words soberly: "Better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for that is the end of all men; and the living will take it to heart. Sorrow is better than laughter, for by a sad countenance the heart is made better. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, But the heart of fools is in the house of mirth" (Ecclesiastes 7:2-4; NKJV). Suffering and death reminds us to be about the business of redeeming time. It is essential we grow spiritually and that growth comes through difficult and trying times. (James 1:2-4, Hebrews 12:4-13, 1 Peter 1:6-8, 1Peter5:10) Jungian analyst and writer James Hollis writes that "suffering is an essential requirement for psychological and spiritual maturation, for without it one would remain "unconscious, infantile, and dependent." The moments when we are stripped bare of our illusions and confront the realities of human existence introduce the most important questions we can ask ourselves: Who am I? What is my purpose here? Where do I find meaning in my life? What is my relationship to God…?" (Excerpt from After the Darkest Hour: How Suffering Begins the Journey to Wisdom. Kathleen A. Brehony, Ph.D) But is suffering worth our while? God’s gives us eternal hope and joy. (Read Revelation 2:7,11,17,26, 3:5,12,21) The Christian life is not all suffering, but also gives us a sense of security knowing God is for us. It is a challenging, stimulating, inspiring, joyful and exciting way of life. However, when we are going through a difficult period, we should rejoice and say with the Apostle Paul: "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us" (Romans 8:18). Suffering does not redeem us, but suffering builds godly character. And God is more interested in our character than our comfort. This life is simply preparation for eternity. What lies ahead is glorious beyond imagining. I tell Helen her suffering has not been in vain. There is a crown of righteousness prepared just for her and for each one of us. |
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