After years of pondering this question, I can't say I have a good answer, but I do have a better understanding of why a loving God would allow suffering.
Looking at my own life, I recognize that even though I have walked through the valley of the shadow of death, God has always been with me. I remember on 9/11 walking through the thick dust after the two planes had hit. I was on a subway train when it stopped its run, letting out all passengers at Wall Street because there was dust and smoke in the tunnels. As I emerged from the subway station I was enveloped by blinding dust. I was unaware of what was happening and wondered what was going on. I followed the crowd not knowing where I was going. Something was definitely not right and I did not know what. Suddenly I heard clanging sounds coming closer, then right in front of me I could see police crossing the street in riot gear. What was happening? I still had no clue. While crossing one of the main streets, I looked to my right and I saw abandoned cars covered in dust. That's when I thought that this must be what the shadow of death was like. Out of nowhere I heard planes overhead, people started running and screaming. I ran also, in spite of not knowing where I was going. I thought I was going to die.
I didn't die, but my life has never been the same. The events that unfolded on that infamous day, left the whole world in shock. Suffering became an intimate enemy. A good friend died among thousands that day. Hearing many stories of how people escaped death, raised questions of why God had not created circumstances for my friend and others to survive.
My ways are not God's ways, but if I were God I would do things differently. Being all-powerful, I would alleviate suffering. But, would that be a good thing? In theory no more pain and suffering sounds fantastic. However, without knowing sorrow how could we truly understand joy? Without war how could we comprehend peace? Without hate how could we cherish love? Without suffering how could we truly experience the glory of God?
But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. Hebrews 2:9-10
Our Savior suffered for us. This was His purpose and He did it for love. Being a Christian doesn't guarantee us of not suffering, actually it guarantees us that we will suffer. However, God also suffers as we suffer. Jeremiah cried out to Him, "You understand, O LORD; remember me and care for me. Avenge me on my persecutors. You are long-suffering—do not take me away; think of how I suffer reproach for your sake." Jeremiah 15:15
Jeremiah knew God is long-suffering and God tells us to be long-suffering also. Another word used for "patient" in some Bible translations is "long-suffering". Now, you know why I don't pray for patience. But, God seems to keep on answering prayers I do not pray and I get what I do not want - long-suffering. Yet it is fruit of the spirit along with love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. It is a necessary part of our walk with Christ as we take up our cross daily and share in His sufferings for the glory of God.
Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring. All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you. 2 Thessalonians 1:4-6
We are Kingdom bound, and trouble is along the path to get there. I may not be happy about the circumstances in my life, but I can have joy despite the circumstances, knowing that God is just and right. Suffering is in His will for me, whether I like it or not. We all have to suffer in some way or the other, however we can choose our attitude through suffering. I am not going to go looking for suffering, since it will find me in time. And when it does, I will look at it as Sweet Suffering, knowing that its purpose is not only to make me like Jesus, but also to bring me to Him.
John Piper speaks about suffering
No comments:
Post a Comment