Patience in Suffering

"In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” - John 16:33

It is interesting that so many people believe God will rescue us from all trouble, pain and suffering, when in the Bible, we see the opposite.

Where should I even begin? Noah watched the whole world - and almost everyone he knew - get destroyed by a flood. Abraham and Sarah struggled with infertility. Joseph was sold as a slave to Egypt. Moses ran for his life and lived 40 years in the wilderness. David lived in exile for over a decade, running for his life. Jeremiah was called "the weeping prophet". Daniel was thrown in a den of lions. Jonah spent three days in the belly of a big fish. The disciples as well as Jesus' brothers and many of the early believers were persecuted, thrown in prison, beaten, and eventually put to death. 

Not to mention all that Jesus went through.

I think the belief actually that God will "bless us" and keep us safe from harm comes from a place of cultural privilege, not from the Bible. After all, there are still many places around the world where Christians are regularly jailed, tortured, and killed merely for bearing the name.

God's Word is clear that following Him means sacrifices and a target on our backs. Consider the following:

"But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life," - Matthew 7:14

"Everyone will hate you because of me," - Mark 13:13

"...We also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope." - Romans 5:3

"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." - 2 Corinthians 4:17 (consider also Paul's "light and momentary troubles" list in 2 Corinthians 11:16-33)

"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation." - 1 Peter 4:12-13

Source: https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/1-Peter/4/12

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds," - James 1:2

The Bible tells us to be patient in suffering (James 5). Jesus said in Luke 21 that suffering may provide us with opportunities to testify to God's goodness and all He has done for us. In the early church, Christians believed it was an honor to suffer in Jesus' name. It was an opportunity to share in His suffering and therefore draw near to Him.

Perhaps God is not as concerned with our circumstances, and more concerned with our character.

In psychology, we talk about something called "post-traumatic growth", or PTG. In PTG, someone who has been through a trauma finds not only healing and resilience, but even positive growth. The end result is a higher level of functioning than before the trauma happened. This is not to say the trauma was a good thing, or they should be thankful for it. It is not meant to minimize or diminish someone's suffering. It is certainly not to say we should eagerly seek trauma. But some people are able to grow from even the most difficult of circumstances, and result in being a better, wiser, more well-adjusted person - beauty arising from the ashes. The people with the greatest traumas are often those who have the greatest empathy and are able to help others.

None of us want to suffer. Most of us don't want to see others suffer, either. But in a world where suffering is inevitable, perhaps there is comfort in knowing there can be a positive outcome: growth.

God allows suffering because of free will. God can use our suffering, our circumstances, our challenges, to help move us in the right direction. To help correct unhealthy patterns. To help us to grow in His image. And, bonus, God is with us always, through the darkest of nights. As the Psalmist wrote, even through the shadow of death (Psalms 23).

Reading through the Psalms is a good way to see how the Old Testament believers dealt with suffering while maintaining their faith in God. One of the beautiful things about the Psalms is how open and raw they are, confronting God with questions and demands and feelings of fear and anger. God can take all of our emotions. He is not afraid of them. He is not offended by them.

The Psalms are meant to be read aloud, slowly, and pondered. Unless you can read in Hebrew (I wish I could), some of the original beauty and poetic nature of the Psalms has been lost in our translation, but they should still be read as poetry and can certainly be read as a hymn or a prayer. 

Next time you are struggling, consider reading aloud a Psalm of lament, like Psalms 9, 10, 61, or 85.

Next time you are rejoicing, consider reading a Psalm of thanksgiving, like Psalms 18, 34, 40, or 118.

Next time you are repentant, consider reading a Psalm of Penitential, like Psalms 5, 32, 51, or 130.

Let the words of Scripture comfort your heart.

We must be patient in our suffering. 

One day, all will be redeemed. That is the hope we cling to.