Suffering is a condition we tend to avoid.
And it’s not easy since there always seems to be enough of it to go around. I’m no stranger to suffering, but my experiences pale in comparison to some of the horrifying things others have gone through.
So then, how should I react to suffering?
Perhaps it would depend on the reason. In his letter to those who [resided] as aliens, the apostle Peter said:
“For [it is] better, if [it be] the will of God, to suffer [for doing what is right rather] than [for] doing what is wrong.” [1Pet. 3:17]
The problem is, most of the time we don’t get to pick our reasons. But I’ve learned that I really do have the ability to decide how I want to respond to suffering. And sometimes it helps to focus on why it’s happening.
Because there are some very good reasons to rejoice in our sufferings as Christ’s apostles did [see: Ac. 5:41]. The apostle Paul also explained to all who [were] beloved of God in Rome, called as saints:
“The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we might also be glorified with Him.” [Rom. 8:16-17]
And, again, Peter wrote:
“…but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.” [1Pet. 4:13]
But what if I learned that any suffering I might experience because of my obedience to Him had actually been given to me as a facilitator of the Lord’s ongoing sanctification process that’s working in me now? Would I really need to launch some kind of an extensive search to find a good reason to rejoice about it?
“For to you it has been granted in Christ’s behalf, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake…” [Phil.1:29] [my emphasis]
Some suffering seems wholly unwarranted, and surely is. And perhaps I should try to recognize a lot of my suffering in the same way a child comes to understand the value of discipline.
But maybe my tears should be from joy.