John 16:33
I have told you this, so that you might
have peace in your hearts because of me. While you are in the world, you
will have to suffer. But cheer up! I have defeated the world.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
The
other day, Timothy and I were paddling around in the pool before his
swim lesson, and he began to yell, “Help! Help!” I explained to him
that the only time when this was acceptable was when he truly was in
trouble and needed help…that yelling “Help!” when none was needed could
cause people to stop watching and listening for true danger. We have
talked to him before about the story of the little boy who “cried wolf”,
and we probably should revisit this story sometime soon!
I
always think of “crying wolf” when I hear the word “suffer”, because
when I was a child, my maternal grandmother used this word often. I
loved my grandmother and believed her when she said she “really
suffered” with some ailment or injury. When I got older and learned
more about human suffering, I realized that her “afflictions” might not
have completely qualified – at least in the minds of other people, and
especially in Biblical terms! Nonetheless, my grandmother believed that
she suffered often in this earthly life…and I’m sure she delights in
the rest of Heaven and the relief that is offered her there.
“Suffering”
is relative. Young people may be bullied and genuinely suffer mental
and/or physical anguish – or they may experience the typical “agonies”
and indignations that come with childhood. Teenagers “suffer” the
emotional roller-coaster of friendships and school work and
extra-curricular activities and coping with the frequent “oppression” of
parents and other adults. Young adults sometimes “suffer” as they make
their way in the world and find the job market less than welcoming…or
learn to be “grown-ups” and handle all of the responsibilities that come
with this stage of life.
Parents “suffer” as they cope with
the inevitable stresses of rearing children. Older adults “suffer”
under a myriad of pressures…from the stress of dealing with aging and
all that comes with it, adjusting to retirement and “empty nests”,
loneliness, health issues, loss of loved ones, and more. And Christians
“suffer” when they are ostracized by family members and friends, or
they have to give up old habits and activities in favor of more Godly
behaviors…or their schedules must now include time for prayer, Bible
study, and corporate worship and ministry efforts.
If we are
honest, a lot of what we consider “suffering” is more akin to
inconvenience and “growing pains” than true suffering. Yet children’s
hospitals across the world are filled with little ones who truly do
endure physical ailments and injuries – and difficult or painful
procedures to treat them. Adults of all ages and in all stages of life
really are tormented and/or miserable because of homelessness, hunger,
serious illnesses and injuries, abuses, persecution, and more.
Christians around the world suffer greatly – and even die – because they
profess their belief in Jesus Christ and dare to share His GOOD NEWS
with others.
Jesus has told us that life will not be a bed of
roses in our earthly lifetime. He didn’t tell us to what degree we will
suffer…and for some, the torment and afflictions are definitely worse
than for others. And I don’t have a good explanation for this, because I
know that God loves each of His children fervently – and equally. I
also know that He never wastes an opportunity – or an experience.
Whether your suffering is real…or you are essentially “crying wolf”…I
have good news for you. None of this will matter when we get to
Heaven! There will be no suffering there…real or imagined!
This
is good news! This is a message of hope…promise…and joy! Rest lies
ahead – for each of us. And in the meantime, Jesus is with us…always!
Read the four Gospels in the New Testament again (Matthew, Mark, Luke
and John). Study how Jesus suffered…for you and for me. There is nothing
we can experience that He cannot understand…there is no agony we can
endure that He will not go through with us. And in the end, He will
give us rest and respite from all of our trials and travails.
Hear
the Good News and remind yourself of it daily…Jesus has defeated the
world. We can rest in Him for ever and ever! He is with us! He is
with us! There is nothing we cannot handle with His help. Are you resting in the LORD and clinging to His promises? Isn’t it time you were?
©2014 Debbie Robus
No comments:
Post a Comment