“How are you doing now?” my friend asked as we walked down the path. The last time Adrian and I had spoken, I had told him that my wife and I were not able to have children and the pain this had brought us.
“On the whole,” I said, “we’re doing better. I guess we’re trying to focus on the upside of being childless and the opportunities it brings. You know, like being free to travel.” “Yes,” Adrian said, “although that can take you only so far.” We walked a little farther before he explained what he meant.
“There was no upside to Jesus’ suffering. His crucifixion was a dark, barbaric event. And Jesus never tried to find a positive side to it. Instead, He did something else entirely.” “Go on,” I said. “Have you ever noticed how many people Jesus ministered to as He hung on the cross?” Adrian asked. Then he said, “He ministered to His mother . . . ” “You mean, putting her in John’s care?” I inquired (John 19:26-27). “That’s right. He ministered to the thief crucified next to Him, and to the people who crucified Him (Luke 23:33-34,39-43). His death ministered to the Roman centurion who came to believe in Him (Luke 23:47), and He ministered to us—forgiving our sins through His sacrifice. All of this was done in the middle of Jesus’ suffering, before things came good at His resurrection.”
I thought deeply as we continued down the path.
“Yes, there may be some benefits in being childless, but you will also find it difficult and lonely. If you follow Jesus’ example, however, out of your suffering will come opportunities to minister to people in ways you otherwise couldn’t. For Jesus, crucifixion was a mission field. And with Him, the fruit of our suffering can be service to others too.”
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Exodus 32:1-29
More:
Read Romans 8:28, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, and Galatians 4:13 to see some examples of God redeeming suffering for the sake of others.
Next:
How might your suffering develop empathy in you for others who suffer? How might Jesus want to serve others through your pain?
Wayne on February 16, 2014 at 1:38 am
I pray God can use me in any situation I find myself. I believe we need the right attitude & stay in constant contact with The Lord. I will sing of his Love forever, Wayne
Sheridan Voysey on February 17, 2014 at 4:35 am
I think you’re right, Wayne. It’s when we’re going through suffering that such an attitude is sorely tested and its depth revealed.
janntee on February 16, 2014 at 5:10 am
I lost my youngest child in 1985. My marriage ended as so many do when you lose a child. Losing Andrew left an unbearable sorrow in my life but this sorrow propelled me to help others because I can never bear the thought of someone feeling my kind of pain. It showed me that laughter is precious, that friends can be closer than family, it taught me to welcome strangers, it gave me courage to be there for others, it made me richer and all the time there is a crack in my heart for a son I love so dearly who as young as he was had such an amazing faith and his faith helped me when mine was weak.
Sheridan Voysey on February 17, 2014 at 4:38 am
Oh janntee… I was very moved by your comment. I can only imagine what the experience of losing a child is like. I just love how God has redeemed your suffering though – what a list of attributes you’ve listed. I think we often forget that God very often does His best work through such suffering – if we’re willing to let Him use us through it.
Roxanne Robbins on February 16, 2014 at 7:46 am
What richness, Sheridan, is seen in the examples you stated of Christ’s ministry to others in the midst of His own suffering. I’m going to reflect on this throughout the day. …Thank you.
Sheridan Voysey on February 17, 2014 at 4:40 am
It is astounding, Roxanne. We rightly focus on the resurrection, but Jesus ministered to us on the Cross – in the midst of His suffering – in so many ways.
janntee on February 17, 2014 at 12:20 pm
I think Sheridan that suffering sorts out those who are truly in Christ much like the sower and the seed. Yhe church I was attending when Andy died was adept in praise but Andrew’s death threw them for a loop. The first Sunday after his funeral someone came to me and said, ‘Oh praise the Lord Andrew is in heaven.’ Well i did not want to praise the Lord, it was taking all I had to believe in him. I turned to leave and they blocked the doors telling me I must stay. Church was a prison but I pushed through and very angrilly told God as I walked home, ‘that’s ot if you want me you know where I am.’ The thing I learned was God does not take our children from us, mankind was the instrument of Andrew’s illness in the environment. People blame God before blaming mankind itself. Had he told me where he was taking me I would have doubted myself but I attended so many parents who also lost children, I worked on a support group during the Organ retention scandal. I cry with those who cry, I listen, I offer support, I did not choose this God showed me his need of me. When my faith was drowning,Andrew’s wonderful faith was my lifebelt until I allowed God to comfort me and show me a new way. So many churches responding wrongly have turned people like me away. So many of the people I met lost faith because of the reactions they met with. Last September my friends daughter who I have looked after since she was a child, lost her third child, God again used me and continues to do so. It is amazing how God taught me to count my blessings. Some people just expect to be exempt from suffering, alas it is a refining process and they often lose out.
Sheridan Voysey on February 18, 2014 at 4:46 am
I really do think it’s important to work through those emotions – disappointment with God, anger even – so we can fully heal. Job, Habakkuk and many other heroes of the faith did. And yes, so often Christians say the wrong things. We can be thoughtless sometimes, and other times simply misguided as to what might be helpful. I’m just so glad you’ve hung in there with Him, through the loss, and are now seeing God use you powerfully to minister to other broken hearts.
daisymarygoldr on February 17, 2014 at 3:09 pm
It is important to distinguish between suffering due to living in this fallen word and suffering for the sake of Christ.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 and Galatians 4:13 refer to suffering for the sake of Christ. Christians are subjected to tribulation and trials for preaching the good news of Christ. God’s comfort to us and through us to others is promised for those who suffer for Christ (2 Corinthians 1:5).
Regarding suffering in the general sense, no human being is exempt from physical, emotional, or mental disabilities, diseases and death. Christians are not promised any immunity from such sufferings. Along with all of creation, we also groan and long for our bodies to be released from suffering. And we wait for our deliverance with hope—patiently and confidently.
Those who don’t know Christ are overwhelmed, oppressed, become bitter by suffering and wonder why a loving God allows suffering. But those who have Christ in us, know very well that the fruit of suffering is— to become like Jesus Christ (Romans 8:22-29).
Therefore, the believer’s response in adversity and affliction is: “God’s grace is sufficient for me. His power works best in my weakness”. For us, suffering is the best way we witness the saving power, grace and glory of God in and through our lives.