We have been addressing real questions posed by internationals in our fellowship. Today’s question deals with suffering.
Q: How do I endure longsuffering/agony in this fallen world without falling into sin?
A: This question certainly fits the theme of I Peter that we have been preaching through, and I suppose I need to begin with a disclaimer. When we deal with suffering, it is much easier for me to talk than to do. I make no claims of being one who suffers well. So as I point out a path, I must tell you up front that that path is hard. It is easier to see it than to walk it just as it is easier to see the path up Mt. Everest than to walk it. Nonetheless here are a few principles that Scripture teaches.
Suffering is a Normal Part of the Christian Life
If you know in advance that suffering is something God promises you (Jn 16:33; Ph 1:29), you will be better prepared when it comes. And, yes. It will come. If, however, you believe a prosperity gospel that says that suffering shows your lack of faith, then you will be ill-prepared when suffering knocks on your door. In fact, you will be questioning your faith. Therefore, the first thing I want to say is that you should not be surprised when suffering comes as if it were some strange thing (I Peter 4:12).
Focus on Eternal Things
Suffering is a consequence of sin. It is, thus, a reminder of the transitory nature of earth. Paul said, “our light and momentary afflictions are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (II Cor 4:17). Jesus said that it is in this world where we shall have tribulations. But Scripture shows us that when we leave this world “he shall wipe away every tear” (Rev 21:4). In other words, this world equals tribulation. Eternity equals peace. When an athlete focuses on the championship trophy, that focus helps him get through the grueling workout. He sees that the hardship is temporary, and the reward is worth it. He has a goal at the end. Paul strained for what lies ahead and pressed on toward the goal of the upward call in Christ (Ph 3:13-14). So must we.
Walk with God
This is easier said than done, and perhaps I am stating the obvious, but your overall walk with God affects everything. As I have said before, a healthy person handles stress better than a sick one. Spiritually, this principle is the same. Spiritually healthy people handle difficulty better than spiritually weak people. And just as physical health involves many different things — eating right, exercising, getting good sleep, shunning obvious dangers, maintaining healthy relationships, reducing stress, having a proper work balance — so too does spiritual health involve many different things. Spend time daily in God’s Word, put your heart into the Scriptures, pray from the heart, share your faith, show integrity in your dealings with others, give yourself to a local church, find a way to serve the body of Christ, abstain from the passions of your flesh, and more. If you have a heart given to Christ and not to your earthly desires, you will be better able to endure suffering without sinning.
Commit to the Process
Sometimes when people ask questions about how we should handle a specific situation, what they want is a magic formula — two or three specific steps that they can immediately practice. They want to take a pill and make the pain go away. But God isn’t really a God of the five steps to reducing stress. His solutions are deeper than that. He wants you. Heart. Soul. Mind. Strength. He is not particularly interested in a few magic steps. His method is to build men and women. And frankly, one of the tools He most uses to build men and women is the suffering you mention in your question.
When a surgeon does open heart surgery, the patient willingly submits himself to having his chest cut open. Why? Why go through all the pain? You know the answer. It is because the patient believes that his heart will be better off with the surgery. The patient then must trust the surgeon. This is how it is with God and suffering. You see, your heart and my heart are filled with gunk, and God, in His mercy, puts us on the operating table and cuts us open in order to work on our hearts. And “suffering” is often the name we give to God’s surgery. It hurts, yes. But can you trust the surgeon? When you see that your heavenly surgeon is trustworthy, you will be more willing to commit to the process.
