“Jesus promised the disciples three things – that they would be completely fearless, absurdly happy and in constant trouble.” (G.K.Chesterton)
It’s almost time for Christmas. In anticipation of the entire family getting together, I declared to my husband one day last week that we will go shopping. In a bustling metropolitan city like the one we live in, almost everything is digital and you can shop for the world from your couch. I, however, had a hankering to actually pick up things and feel them in my hands before I bought them, for a change. I was certain that we would be able to buy everything we needed on a single shopping spree.
So off we went with illusions of competence, a toddler and a preschooler between us. By the third hour of shopping, we had taken three toilet breaks and made two stops at the food court. I sighed as Joseph said he wanted to share Anna’s stroller for the tenth time. Explaining to him again, that it wouldn’t support both their weights, I strode purposefully on. But Joseph was not to be swayed. He pointed to a little wound on his foot and said it hurt when he walked. I tried to make him as comfortable as possible by requesting for chairs wherever we went but he wasn’t too thrilled.
Finally I said, “Joshua mama is coming tomorrow.” Joshua is my brother and easily one of Joseph’s most favourite people in the world. In Joseph’s eyes, his uncle is larger than life and anything he says goes. I could actually see the spark in Joseph’s eyes as he processed this news. His entire demeanour changed. Suddenly, he wasn’t focussed on the pain anymore. All he could talk about was his uncle, his aunt and his baby cousin. When he got tired, he sought out a chair himself and swung his legs in eager anticipation for their arrival. It seemed that his earlier discomfort was forgotten – or at least made more manageable. The rest of the shopping trip saw Joseph in a significantly better mood – taking his pain in stride, playing with his sister and talking nineteen to the dozen.
When Joseph saw his uncle the next day and jumped into his arms, I’m certain the previous day’s discomfort was the farthest thing from his mind.
“For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!” (2 Corinthians 4:17)
I’ve been meditating on the topic of suffering for weeks now since we have become so intimately acquainted with it. Suffering has a way of bringing out our vulnerabilities and breaking down pride like nothing else can. There’s only so long that you can staunchly bear the pain of suffering before you realise your total dependance on God and learn to rely on Him helplessly.
Make no mistake, no matter how required it is, God does not delight in our suffering. He is a Father above all else. And which father will willingly subject his child to pain if nothing good comes of it? It’s like a father standing near his son as the child gets vaccinated. My husband would hold our children tight and talk softly into their ears the whole time. Even though he dreaded getting them these shots, he knew they were necessary.In the same way, I picture the Father holding me as I cry at times, maintain a stoic silence in others, slump my shoulders in despair or even squeal in protest. For even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. (2 Corinthians 4:16)
A passage in the Bible that has been of special comfort is when Paul talks of his “light and momentary troubles” of being “hard pressed, perplexed, persecuted and struck down”. He talks of being whipped, stoned, shipwrecked and being cold, naked and without food, and often being unable to sleep. What causes Paul to take them in stride is that he looks at them in the light of eternity and reflects on the long term purpose of God. Quite simply, he was looking forward to what lies ahead, pressing on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus was calling him (Philippians 3: 13) as he faced hardships on this Earth. It reminds me of something Charles Spurgeon said – “The greatest earthly blessing that God can give to any of us is health, with the exception of sickness”.
See, God is in the habit of putting us in uncomfortable situations in order for us to grow. And if that is the price to be paid for eternal glory, then so be it. Does that not far outweigh our present plight? However, we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. (Romans 5:3-5)
I don’t know about you, but I have a tendency to withdraw into a shell when I am in pain. Nothing good has ever come out of it. As the days go by, I have learned that the best course of action is to take my pain to God instead of internalising it. He knows how to use my pain for good and is adept at pouring out His peace, healing and joy into my broken heart – something that I am incapable of doing. He knows exactly whom to bring into my life for that time, makes sure I come across words that encourage me, and whispers words of hope and restoration through His word. And like a parched and dying man who spots an oasis in the desert, my soul has its fill and is revived. When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, Lord God Almighty. (Jeremiah 15:16)
Brother Zac Poonen, in one of his sermons, says that the ultimate definition of worship is found in Psalm 73:25 – Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. I couldn’t agree more. Everything else fades into insignificance in the light of Christ’s countenance. Focussing on Christ in the midst of your pain is an act of worship. Letting go of the impulse to have things exactly how I want it is an act of worship. Trusting that God knows exactly what He is doing as you languish in your present condition is an act of worship. So beloved, as you wait, worship. It will change your perspective and redirect your thinking.
Be encouraged, dear one. After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. (1 Peter 5:10) Jesus suffered the greatest pain of all time and yet, because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honour beside God’s throne. (Hebrew 12:2) We too can be victorious is trials and patient in suffering because we know how this will end – in great joy and having overcome the world.