This seems an odd time of year to bring up suffering, doesn't it? After all, it is the season of happy consumption: Eggnog lattes, food glistening on a table set for twelve, half-priced Halloween candy, sugar-scented candles, warm stuff, shopping, full-belly euphoria, Pumpkin spice
anything, etc.
But the truth is, even while we might be partaking of the aforementioned vittles, real suffering could be clear and present. In fact, for some of us the suffering is so intense we consume even more seasonal delights than necessary, because sucking our thumbs became inappropriate long ago.
So why do we try so hard to avoid and deny suffering when it is so much a part of life? Sentient beings have a natural revulsion to that which is unpleasant. But our revulsion does not ward off suffering, and neither does that $40 cinnamon-apple candle you keep lighting every night. God's word teaches that we will endure trials, and when we do we are to rejoice rather than despair.
I know how trite that sounds. (I wince as I write it).
Let me tell you a story that may or may not help my cause here.
When I was in college I took a job where I had to virtually step outside of my admittedly emo personality to "get fired up" and drive up sales. When I took the job, my manager told me, "Jody, you are going to have some very hard times. There will be days you want to give up completely. But you have to learn to embrace those challenges. Conquer them. Persevere. It will be character-building."
Not the best motivational pep talk, I know. Among other humiliations, every time I encountered a tough time I was supposed to chant, "I love challenges! I eat them for breakfast!"
You can understand why I had a hard time taking myself seriously.
After a few weeks I had character coming out of my ears. When the Bible talks about rejoicing in the sufferings of Christ it does not mean gritting your teeth into a grimacing smile and challenging God to bring it on. That kind of masochistic attitude is not as gratifying as one might think. It's weird. And it is okay to admit when you're suffering, but rejoice in the knowledge of God's love and have faith that He is with you through it all.
In a way, my manager was right- sort of. I never learned to welcome challenges with open arms, but I did grow through those experiences and I have to admit it was (gulp) character building.
This is what James 1: 2-3 and Phillipians 4 are referring to when we face trials, producing patience/growth. Character.
As children of God, we are heirs of His glory and His suffering (Romans 8:17). This is what families do. You share one another's grief and joy. So if we are God's children, He will be with us even through the hardest times. And this has implications for the body of Christ as a whole. Through our own trials, we grow compassionate towards others who suffer. We resist the urge to offer hollow, well-meaning platitudes and instead cry with them.
When a hurricane mows down a coastal city, leaving hundreds of thousands displaced and suffering (Christians among them), we respond with prayer, support, and aid. As they sink their knees into the mud and, fists clenched, cry out WHY we don't pretend to have an answer. We sink our knees in beside them and lift them up instead of pointing a condemning finger and declaring them hopeless.
There is hope. There is a peace that surpasses our human understanding and emotions.
Tell us your favorite memory of Thanksgiving, or tell us what you are thankful for!
This seems an odd time of year to bring up suffering, doesn't it? After all, it is the season of happy consumption: Eggnog lattes, food glistening on a table set for twelve, half-priced Halloween candy, sugar-scented candles, warm stuff, shopping, full-belly euphoria, Pumpkin spice anything, etc.
Don't forget! On Sunday we get an extra hour of sleep. Daylight Savings Time Ends. Woooooo!
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