Courage in Suffering

Week 27, Tuesday

Sandy Smith

I know that . . . what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me.

Philippians 1:19-22

No matter how you choose to live, life brings suffering. Suffering has three main sources: our own sin, a fallen world, and persecution. Although we would hope to avoid it, suffering is to be expected.

Suffering because of our own sin may be the easiest for us to understand. From the time we are young children, our mom tells us we will sit in “time out” if we take our sister’s toy. We may consider the consequences of temporary pleasure but with courage we can select actions that will not bring shame. Choosing to disobey can become a dangerous habit. Rationalizing our rebellion by blaming others creates a pattern that leads to suffering. Even at an early age, doing the right thing takes courageous discipline.

Suffering because we live in an imperfect world is much more difficult to understand and accept. Someone at your work may make your life miserable because he just doesn’t like you or your values. From time to time we may suffer because a friend refuses to forgive us when we hurt her. Misfortunes or accidents can cause deep hurt in our lives. However, undoubtedly the hardest suffering to accept is from the ones we love the most—those who make wrong choices that affect the whole family and cause untold hurt. These situations teach us one of the hardest lessons to learn: to let go and trust God. God will judge; we cannot force someone to do what we believe is right. We must yield to an all-knowing God, admit we are limited, and trust that He is in control.

The last kind of suffering is not something we know a lot about in America—suffering for Christ’s sake. Standing up for Jesus in our world may be unpopular but it’s not lethal. We need to be sensitive not to enter a situation carelessly wielding our sword and taking down everyone in our path! Still, it takes courage to live for Christ without intimidation.

Courage and suffering are like breathing in and breathing out. As we are hurting, we learn to react in trust. The more we hurt, the more we have to trust. Understanding is not always our privilege. We need courage to control our imaginations and instead seek the truth. We may never understand some things but by faith we accept and move forward.

Dear Lord, help me to release my pain to You. Remind me that You are aware of my circumstances and that You care. Help me to trust You more and more whether or not I see You working. In Jesus’ name, amen.