* Mark and Jill lost everything in the recent flooding on the Mississippi River. Their house was destroyed, and few of the objects inside were even salvageable. They have the clothes on their backs, a few books, a family Bible, and two cots at the local Salvation Army.
* Suffering comes for many reasons: – Suffering may come as a result of personal sin and failure. For example, some people may suffer financially by being wasteful or not carefully budgeting their money. Some people may suffer the loss of friendship through their hurtful words or gossip. Suffering may also arise due to other people’s sin and failure, such as the drunk driver who causes an accident and creates suffering for others. Suffering can also arise from forces outside of our control. For example, a tornado or hurricane can create great suffering for many people. Suffering can come as a result of a person’s faith standing for Jesus in some parts of the world is an invitation to persecution
* The Bible is replete with passages that describe why suffering is a part of life:
- Deserved suffering occurs when we sin or act foolishly1 Peter 4:15 – Undeserved suffering is part of following in Jesus footsteps1 Peter 2:21 – Suffering can be for growth2 Corinthians 12:9-10 – Suffering can be for testing and Gods glory John 9:1-3 – Suffering can help us be able to help others2 Corinthians 1:3-5
* Helping others in pain requires a theology of suffering. How do you see God using suffering in the lives of those with whom you work? How do you see God using suffering in your own life? Suffering is common to all people and is not removed by the presence of the Holy Spirit. Being a Christian is not a get out of suffering free card. Christians experience suffering like everyone else. Sometimes God sends suffering into our lives and we do not know why. His promise to us is not to make our suffering understandable but to be present with us in it. Needless suffering, such as refusing to take medication, is not taught in Scripture.
There is no merit to simply enduring pain for sufferings sake. Suffering is easier to deal with when it is purposeful (2 Timothy 4:6) and when there is an end in sight. Romans 8:22-23 says, For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. Suffering produces character in us. Our culture by contrast views suffering as evidence that we are failing in some way or that we are doing something wrong. Guard against wanting to fix things or give answers too quickly. It is much more important to listen. Try video counseling for help.
eCounseling.com is the leading provider of online counseling and telephone counseling technologies, and exists to connect people who hurt with people who help, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. eCounseling.com was created by counselors who perceived a need for better online counseling methods. eCounseling.com now boasts a full range of distance and in-person counseling capabilities in video and text chat, HIPAA-compliant secure email, and fully searchable counselor listings, all organized strategically around the top 40 most commonly seen counseling issues. Its directors include Dr. Badshah Salamat, who practices therapy at Thrive Boston Counseling.
