on the other side of suffering
Suffering is one of the hardest pills to swallow. Very rarely do we desire to seek understanding for it either. This is a form of sanctification that we would rather avoid. The premise of suffering has endless varieties and spices. We have each been formed uniquely and also failed uniquely. Observing suffering often causes fear triggering us to reach for control, clinging to safety. I’ve found on my walk with God that this is why we struggle to see suffering for what it truly is - a challenge to trust in the Lord’s greater plan for us fully.
It is easy to associate seeking to understand suffering with opening yourself up to being in the path of it. However, the resistance to suffering is a resistance to love. We see in scripture that there is no greater gift than to lay down one’s life for one’s friend (John 15:13, NAB-RE). We have come to fear what won us freedom. Without the passion and death of the Savior, we would not be living in the new covenant. Death no longer has a hold on us and neither does suffering. It might be our greatest tool. This is part of living as an image of Christ. It should not strike fear into our hearts. On the contrary, it should encourage us that we are on the right track.
We see the stories of Saints unphased by suffering. Yet when faced with a moment of it or even a potential obstacle to going out on mission, we quickly crumble to the pressure. What if instead, we saw it for what it was - a temptation from the enemy? Have you experienced those moments when you plan to attend a retreat, participate in praying for someone, or go serve in the community when chaos breaks loose? The day is in shambles, it feels ruined, not fixable, and you’re so drained you’re not sure if you should go. The immediate impulse is to give up. I want to propose something different.
Maybe you’re really on the right track and you can magnify its power by offering it up for those in need.
Suffering has become my metric as to whether or not I’m leaning into the Lord’s voice. He has transformed my heart and given me eyes to see that all of these moments invite me to go forward with greater fervor. When I do, a great peace comes and the fruit of persevering to the other side is greater than not taking a chance on it. At the end of my life, all that matters is one thing - that I did what the Lord called me to do. This has become a distinct marker of discernment for me. If the enemy is raging, it’s because I am being called into a space for Kingdom purposes.
It’s easier to see how others suffer or to fear we might have to go through something so intense we will never recover, but it begs the question: why do we think like this?
God has accounted for our uniqueness. He designed us unlike any other and He accounted for the inevitable mistakes we would make. Embedded in our worst moments is the material that can do the most for the Kingdom. God can not be outdone in His mercy. This means that no matter what happens to us, He is still working for our good. We don’t have to see the now. We need to see the end. A perfect union with God. He has given us endless encouragement to grow in intimacy with Him through suffering.
“My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us. (Romans 8:18)
“He shall suffer loss, but he shall be saved, but as through fire.” (1 Corinthians 3:15)
In the short run of this life or the long run of eternity, suffering is in our best interest. We must trust that whatever God is working shows that He is for us, not against us. Sometimes we need to be refined to minister. We need to die to impulses that will lead to damnation. Occasionally the healing we so desperately seek is found in death - the threshold of eternal life. He wants to give us every chance to heal, forgive, surrender, and trust His perspective because it’s the only complete one.
We need to ask ourselves why the person we choose to distrust is also omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. Not to mention, He is the architect of the universe. Let us not harden our hearts but be receptive to His words. The fall in the garden may have caused us to fall into distrust and pride, but we are new creations within Him. He wants us to trust that suffering leads to greater fruit and to greener pastures on the other side.
This week, ask the Lord to give you eyes to see your suffering for what it is - growth.
Ask:
What are you teaching me in the suffering Lord?
How are you asking me to trust you?
Who are you calling me to offer this for?
