We are obsessed with suffering and fairness. It is a favorite sport of every time and place. How often has someone asked, “Why must she suffer so much, she is so good!”? And how many times have you heard, “I hope he suffers because what he did was just terrible!” Doesn’t it seem as if we relate to suffering in terms of what is deserved or what isn’t? Suffering isn’t ever fair, unless we decide it is. Oh, how we try to make sense out of suffering as much as we seek to avoid it!
No one wants to suffer, that is true for us all. But often any suffering around us makes us uncomfortable as well. We ask, “does God cause suffering?” Or “if He doesn’t, why does He allow it?” Do you not think that is foremost in the minds of people struggling with the illness of a loved one, an impending loss of a job, the way someone treats a neighbor or friend, and especially in family disputes? Some suffering is logical and preventable, for instance we know– if you put your hand in a flame it will burn. And much suffering isn’t logical and unpreventable such as dealing with the loss of a child or the arrogance and selfishness of imperfect people.
The Genesis account of a serpent in the Garden teaches that all suffering is symptom of our separation from God. This brokenness is what Jesus came to heal. And so, from the beginning of our salvation history, God’s concern is not that we wrestle with “why suffering,” but rather “how God sets out to heal the brokenness, bring peace to the conflict, and restore creation to what was lost. Jesus is the ultimate first responder to the suffering and pain of every one of God’s children!
Jesus’ life on earth was about embracing every broken moment of suffering this world has to endure. He dealt with hunger, anger, and rage. With lepers, the lame, and the blind. With dinner guests who were outcasts. And he carried our pain and every ounce of blood suffering that anyone has ever encountered, onto the tree of death and set out to make it the beginning of a new life. +++
Jesus suffered as all men and women suffer. He was hungry, thirsty, beaten, bloodied, misunderstood, ignored, and he even died a real earthly death. He embraced all that we must face and on Easter morning changed the narrative. The real issue then is not “why must there be suffering” but how will we respond?
We heard the words of Saint Paul that “suffering produces endurance, endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope will not allow us to ever be trapped in shame!” Think about the power of that promise!
Who would ever imagine suffering as a gift that winds up becoming hope? Yet, by faith, every moment of life is translated through Jesus’ love into faith, hope, and love!”
Tim Keller wrote: “[in the 23rd Psalm], there is no promise to believers of exemption from trouble. God does not say, “If you go through the dark valley but when you go. The promise is not that he will remove us from the experience of suffering. No, the promise is that God will be with us, walking beside us in it.” [1]
How refreshing that is! Life is not perfect and will keep breaking down, but Jesus lover is perfect and forever and will keep lifting, loving, healing, and filling us with peace! John shares a glimpse of how that struggle of servant love makes a difference in the account of Jesus and a foreign woman at a well. She had suffered from five failed marriages, the scandal of a live-in boyfriend, and having to lug buckets of water in the hottest part of day because she was an outcast from the other women of the village. She was always alone, and as a Samaritan she was an untouchable to the Jews.
In her blessed encounter with Jesus, he didn’t promise that her struggles would end, but that he would refresh her with living water to fill her soul and heal her spirit. Because she had been dragged so low, better than most, she would rejoice in the new life that this fresh drink of forgiving love would bring! And like shepherds at the manger, and the later disciples at an empty tomb, she would run back to her village, joyfully, sharing the fresh new life that emerged from her suffering and struggling past. And her suffering empowered her faith! +++
Why must Christians suffer??? It isn’t that we must, but that we will. And suffering sometimes is a result of the struggle with God or others. And sometimes we do deserve the pain we cause. But usually suffering isn’t punishment, but a symptom of the broken condition called sin. Paul reminds us the real issue is how we deal with the facts of life.
Living water means (in John’s words) that we are never spiritually dehydrated.
In fact, the very first miracle in John’s Gospel, was when empty jugs were filled at a wedding feast and turned to wine. And the very last moment at the crucifixion, John shared that the crucified Jesus was pierced, and water ran from his side. In other words, by his wounds, we are healed. By his suffering we are made whole. And in our suffering, we understand God’s love.
Why do Christians suffer? Who doesn’t suffer? The reality of this life is that it is broken, and the hideous nature of sin brings suffering to all. What is more important is what we do when suffering intrudes. This is where the power of faith shines and the strength than comes from only from God lifts us up. That is what it means to drink from the well of living water – Christ gives power to ENDURE and when you endure you live in HOPE
At the same time, it is in suffering that we most clearly understand the power of what Christ’s love brings us. That is why Paul talks about “boasting” not BECAUSE we suffer, but that Christ’s love is STRONGER than any suffering! The boast is not about ME but about what Christ has done and is doing IN ME!
When there is no suffering, it is easy to take faith for granted or mistakenly assume we deserve to happy, and healthy, and free. But when suffering comes, there is a different kind of joy that comes from knowing God is with us, ALWAYS! +++
I have never seen an eagle up close and personal, but here is what I have read about such a nest. When a mother eagle builds her nest she starts with thorns, broken branches, sharp rocks, and other items that seem entirely unsuitable for the project. Then she lines the nest with a thick padding of wool, feathers, and fur from animals she has killed, making it soft and comfortable for the eggs. All is well and good and no baby eagle worth its salt would ever want to give up such a wonderful nest. By a time comes when the growing birds reach flying age, and the comfort of the nest and the luxury of free meals make them quite reluctant to leave.
That is when the mother eagle begins stirring up the nest. With her strong talons she begins pulling up the thick carpet of fur and feathers and throws them to the ground, bringing the sharp rocks and branches to the surface. As more of the bedding gets plucked up, the nest becomes more uncomfortable for the young eagles. Eventually, this and other urgings prompt the growing eagles to leave their once-comfortable abode and move on to more mature behavior. [2]
Our problem is that we often forget God’s love when things are cozy, and with God not on our radar we get confused when we bump into suffering and pain (which of course we don’t deserve.) But what if we were to see suffering as stirring up the nest, and a reminder that it is such a time when the flight of faith is most reassuring? What a blessed assurance to know that when the nest isn’t comfy God is waiting for us to fall into his arms (which in reality have been caring for us all along!)
The woman at the well understood Paul’s words before he even wrote them. Trouble produces endurance, endurance brings God’s approval, his approval creates hope and this hope does not disappoint us! And so, whether I suffer or not, God is one with me. And no matter what, I celebrate the wind beneath my wings and the living water than never leaves me thirsty again! We will suffer. But in faith, we will also grow and endure!
[1] “Walking with God through Pain and Suffering.” Tim Keller. Dutton. p.227
[2] Today in the Word, June 11, 1989