Christian Living

A Different Look At Suffering

by paul hoffmaster
02/13/22
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Suffering has been a subject that has been debated with emotional rhetoric for generations.   Suffering and the search for understanding have caused many to questions God’s permissive will.  If God is so loving and compassionate, why would He let people suffer, especially those of the Judeo-Christian Faith? 

People look at suffering as a response to something they have done.  They look at suffering as a means of chastisement.  They see suffering as an unfair experience that can lead to even questioning the reality of God.  Some look at physical challenges as attacks originating from Satan.  There are individuals that even challenge their own spirituality as a result of suffering.  Suffering has been looked upon as an enemy of Faith to be avoided whatever the cost.  Yet, when one studies the Scriptures, one readily realizes that suffering can be a tool of spiritual growth and dependence. 

The Apostle Paul experienced the pinnacle of physical and mental suffering.  In his last letter to the Corinthians, Paul mentioned over 24 types of calamities that elevated his suffering to the breaking point.  In one place, he asked the Lord to have a “thorn in the flesh” removed.  God did not grant His request to remove his pain but simply told Paul that, “My grace is sufficient for thee, for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” (II Corinthians 12:9)  Paul previously responded to his sufferings by simply stating, “…I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.” (II Corinthians 11:30)  There are many illustrations where Paul told about the sufferings that he endured.  In the above examples, Paul tells us that through suffering, spiritual growth transcended his suffering.  The more he suffered, the more he relied on the High Priest of His Faith.  That was the reason Paul was so effective in his spiritual walk.

One of the most overlooked and misunderstood Scriptures about Jesus is found in the fifth chapter of Hebrews.  In verses 7-9 we see that Jesus learned obedience through suffering.  As I have pointed out in previous articles, Jesus was both human and divine.  His humanity exhibited the characteristics of human behavior, yet without flaw or sin.  His struggle in Gethsemane illustrated the epitome of suffering. (Luke 22:42-44)  What He went through during those hours of mental and physical suffering staggers the imagination.  Hear Him scream out; “…let this cup pass from me.”  The anguish and brokenness of His humanism douses one in emotional pain.  Jesus knew what His ministry was all about and through His suffering in saw beyond the pain, and through His obedience He cried out, “Not my will but thine be done.”  He achieved God’s objective for Him.  As a result, He became complete (perfect) and the “author of eternal salvation.”

There may be times in our lives when we need to learn what suffering can do to bring us into a greater obedience to the will of our Lord.  Instead of looking at suffering as a negative, let us see the possibilities of what that suffering can accomplish.  Suffering is not an end, but a path to obedience.  When we come to a place where the only vision we have is up, we will truly learn what obedience is all about.