Carried Our Sorrows

In the light of Easter and the recent earthquake, I thought it would be a good time to take a look at suffering and how God works out His plans through it. Been thinking about how God has allowed His children and servants go through some of the most horrible experiences. I know of men who've served God faithfully for over 20 or 30 years, who have gone through anything from battling with spouse hit with cancer, lost of a spouse, child murdered, wife raped by the very people you're reaching out to, broken marriage, etc. I understand that if we choose to serve God, it can sometimes be a costly affair but I do struggle when I think of my loved ones having to pay the price for my obedience to God. It is one thing for me to accept that those who serve God may have to give up dreams of having great riches (on this side of heaven anyway) but another thing altogether to know that some who’ve agreed to serve and follow God seem to have more than their fair share of suffering.

Since these are works of the enemy, then, if I may be so bold to ask, does that mean God is unable to protect His children from the devil’s schemes? Does He take delight in seeing us suffer? Why else would He stand watching His children suffer blows upon blows without intervening? How many blows can one man take before the wind is knocked out of him? Some have suggested that perhaps God is using these sufferings to show off His ability to sustain His servants. But what glory does He get if they should give up, end up broken beyond recognition?? I guess I just can’t help but to wonder if all these breaking experiences are really necessary. Honestly, the book of Job is a hard one for me and not all that helpful for my cynical friends. For them it only serves to confirm that God is somewhat of a sadist, allowing Job to go through all those blows because of a wager with Satan? God didn’t give Job any explanation for all his sufferings. Perhaps I have to take the cue from there.

I am conscious that I live in a time where we tend to shun and despise pain, according it no value and avoid it at all cost. It is not in our human nature to choose a more painful option if a choice is presented. Many prefer to take short cuts and cut corners to get what we want in the shortest and least ‘painful’ way. People are willing to pay a lot of money to protect and insure themselves against pain, or at least, to minimize the effect of pain. Many of us have bought into the idea that pain is unnecessary and undesirable. And so we come into faith, expecting that Jesus to deliver us from all pain – like purchasing an insurance plan.

In his book ‘Gift of Pain’, Philip Yancey helps us understand that physical pain is in fact a gift from God. It serves to prevent us from endangering ourselves and causing further harm to ourselves. Imagine putting your hands on a hot stove but not having any sensation of pain? That simply spells trouble right? I came across a recent article by Selwyn Hughes reflecting on his spiritual journey. Among others, he has suffered the lost of his wife to cancer, lost of both his sons to diseases, and he himself was diagnosed with prostate cancer a few years ago. I’d say he’s had more than his fair share of suffering for any person. His many years of service in the body of Christ coupled with this extensive list of painful experiences, I think, somewhat qualifies him to comment on how we can make sense of pain. He asserts that suffering is an essential part of developing Christian character. This is what he attests to in reflecting on his experience. He goes on to say that the absence of meaning can be viewed as surrender to God’s greater meaning and purpose which we may not know or understand.

Do I know why God allows all these suffering? NO. Do I know and believe God is good, all the time? YES. Do I think God will allow us to suffer unnecessarily? No. Is there evil and wickedness in this world? Yes. Does God sometimes allow us to suffer the consequences of our sinful action? Yes, sometimes, to a certain degree. Is God in control? YES! Do I always understand why God allow innocent people to suffer? No… Do I ask for suffering? Well, only what is necessary for Christ to be formed in me. Sparingly, I hope. ;p

If Jesus needed to endure suffering how can we expect to be spared? A disciple can’t be greater than his master. This Easter I am reminded that His suffering was an equally important and vital part of His sacrifice as His death. If it was just our sins that Jesus came to deal with, then it would probably suffice that He should die. Having no sins of His own, He would have taken the penalty of our sin by His death. But no, God thought it right that Christ should not only die, but also to suffer for our sake. For my sake.

Surely he took up our infirmities
and carried our sorrows,
yet we considered him stricken by God,
smitten by him, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed. (Is 53: 4-5)