more thoughts on suffering

A follow-up to my last post:

"The Son of God suffered unto death, not that men might not suffer, but that their sufferings might be like his." -George MacDonald

We are not left alone in our sufferings.  On the contrary, hardship often brings us back to God as we realize just how much we need him, and so we may come to rely on him once more, or more fully.  As we read in 1 Peter 1, suffering purifies our faith while testing our faithfulness.  But instead of merely an inescapable reality, perhaps suffering is important.

We do live in a twisted, broken world, and the pain and discord are tragic.  As followers of a crucified Christ (resurrected, yes, but also crucified!) perhaps we ought to view suffering as vital rather than something to flee from.  Perhaps it is our opportunity to show the power of the hope that we have in the name we carry.  For the power of the resurrection tells us that all our trials are temporary and that God is restoring all things to harmony and beauty and wholeness, and that the pain we experience now brings us closer to the everlasting joy to come.  And the power of the ascension tells us that Christ is on the throne: that he is sovereign and powerful.  And he will return and bring it all to completion.


¡gloria a Dios!