The Beauty of Suffering

Tony and I have had a lot of discussions lately focusing on what sets apart the people who have a faith that is contagious.  We are privileged to have so many “role models” in our lives, people of all ages who have been a huge influence on us, and who have caused our faith to become stronger. 

There are definitely tools that God uses to help us build our faith - the Holy Spirit, who guides us; the Bible, God’s living word; and the people He puts in our lives to hold us accountable, to encourage us, to challenge us to be everything that we can be.  But one thing is certain - we will be tested.

Tony and I came to the conclusion that the common factor we have observed in watching people grow from christians to CHRISTIANS - to giants in their faith - is how they react to suffering when it comes into their lives.  Suffering comes in many forms - it may be relational, physical, financial.  And suffering is different from pain - because suffering is for a season, not for a minute.  In my experience, and as I watch people around me, I know that we have a choice.  We can choose to let suffering destroy our faith, or we can allow God to use that suffering to take our faith to a completely new level in our relationship with Him.  

I read an excerpt from Mark Batterson’s book, “Primal”, which articulates so clearly exactly what we have been thinking about:

Many Christians settle for simplicity on the near side of complexity.  Their faith is only mind deep.  They know what they believe, but they don’t know why they believe what they believe.  Their faith is fragile because it has never been tested intellectually or experientially.  Near-side Christians have never been in the catacombs of doubt or suffering, so when they encounter questions they cannot answer or experiences they cannot explain, it causes a crisis of faith.  

For far-side Christians, those who have done their time in the catacombs of doubt or suffering, unanswerable questions and unexplainable experiences actually result in a heightened appreciation for the mystery and majesty of a God who does not fit within the logical constraints of the left brain.  

We don't enjoy the time of suffering, but the rewards that come from it - the reliance in God that we would never learn any other way - is worth the suffering.  I am thankful for, and praying for, the “heroes of the faith” in my life who continue to live on the far-side, and who demonstrate their faith in the midst of suffering!

In closing - some great lyrics from "Blessings" by Laura Story - 

We pray for blessings

We pray for peace

Comfort for family, protection while we sleep

We pray for healing, for prosperity

We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering

All the while, You hear each spoken need

Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things

‘Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops

What if Your healing comes through tears

What if a thousand sleepless nights 

Are what it takes to know You’re near

What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise