The Christian's Response to Suffering

What does a fully human and Christian response to suffering look like?  It's a multi-faceted approach and includes internal realities with which we must struggle as well as external actions of faith which we must practice for our endurance and sanctification. 

As I tried to put this together, I realized why many people have written whole books on suffering...it wouldn't be hard to do.  It's a complex subject.  But I'm not complex, so here are my simplified (and cheesily alliterated) conclusions.

Receive It - C.S. Lewis once said, "There is nothing that can be done with suffering except to suffer it."  This, of course, is only one small statement in a larger context on suffering, but he's right.  Our first response as Christians is to "suffer it" which ultimately means to submit to it.  We receive it as from God's hand, regardless of its origin and we bow the knee, acknowledging His sovereign right to do with us as He pleases.  We are prevented from displaced anger and resentment as we affirm that he is both sovereign and good and that He has sent this our way.

Reflect On It - Submitting doesn't mean that it will go away, so it is to our benefit to contemplate the nature, origin and purpose of suffering in general (think Job), and of our own suffering in particular.  How and why did this come and to what purpose has God sent it?  What does He want from me and for me?  What do I need to learn about myself and about Him in this?   

We would be remiss at this point not to reflect on the sufferings of Christ, which we must never minimize as less than fully human and therefore not as "real" as ours.  His passion was very real and with that experience, He intercedes to the Father on our behalf, as a passionate advocate.  In what ways does my suffering relate to His and where does it fit in the larger scheme of Christ's present redemptive work in the world?

Release - Reflecting on and facing our suffering head-on can lead us to a place of overwhelming sorrow, loss, grief, guilt, or other unpleasant emotions in which we'd prefer not to participate!  This is where the Psalms become crucial for us.  I never realized the intensity and power of the Psalms of Lament until I was in the grip of great suffering. (i.e. 6, 13, 38, 55, 69, 130, etc.)   Suddenly, I could cry out in desperation with the Psalmist:  "Where are you?  How long will you abandon me?  Do not remember my sins!  Save me, for the waters have come up to my neck!  Deliver me from the enemies who pursue my soul to overtake it!  Every night I water my couch with my tears."  Cry out to the Lord!  Lay all those feelings and fears and doubts and heartaches before him.  He hears our cries.  We don't have to pretend with him.

Remember - Meditate on God's works of old.  Remember the ways in which He led His people, delivered them, heard and responded to their cries.  Even when they did not deserve His favor, He remained faithful.  He took their persecutions, their rebellions, their wanderings and He redeemed them, bringing beauty from ashes.  Remember and meditate on His works.  Your confidence in Him will be restored, giving you strength to endure the suffering.  Read the Historical Psalms (i.e. 78, 105-107, 136).

Remind - Remind yourself of God's promise not to forsake you and His assurances that He will deliver you...and believe those promises are for you.  Also, remind HIM of His promises.  It is common in the Scriptures for the prophets of Yahweh to remind Him of His promises and then He acts accordingly!   Read and meditate on the Psalms of Confidence.  (i.e. 18, 27, 46, 68, 91,121, etc.)

Reconnect - Often, in the face of severe suffering, we are tempted to withdraw from society to be alone.  We recognize that we're a social "downer" when we can't put on a happy face in public.  But remember...not only is it helpful for our brothers and sisters to know they aren't the only ones who have suffered, but we will often find encouragement and joy from surprising sources when we discipline ourselves to engage with others.  There is an amazing amount of strength gained by allowing others to bear our burdens.  We are priests for one another, sharing the load and carrying each other's cares and casting them before the Lord.  Humble yourself before God's people and allow them to carry you and your burdens.  Surround yourself with faithful Christian friends who will understand, encourage, challenge and even rebuke you in your time of trouble. 

An essential part of staying connected to the Body is participation in Lord's Day worship.  Do not underestimate the power of being united with the people of God and being served by God Himself in covenant renewal worship.  When your brother sings, "Bless thou the Lord, forget not all His mercies..." he is singing to you and building you up in your faith!  Be humble enough to receive his service to you, as well as God's own service to you in the Word and Sacraments.

Reach Out - When we are in a place of suffering, we need to feel useful and to rebuild a sense of purpose.  One of the best ways to do this, even in our own poverty of spirit, is to minister to others who are in need.  Make a meal for the family of a sick mother...send a card of encouragement to a lonely widower...reach out in love and cheer to a small child...etc.  And pray for others who are hurting.  In this way, we get outside ourselves and avoid sinking in the mire of self-absorption and self-pity.

Rejoice - Ugh.  Am I serious?  Yes I am.  When we feel we have the least reason to, we must discipline ourselves to give thanks!  And remember, the Bible never tells us to "BE" thankful, but to GIVE thanks.  No matter how low we are, we have been given gifts for which we must return thanks to God. Maybe it's another's joy or success (remember Helen Keller's wise words?)...maybe it's the ordinary blessing of the sunrise or a glass of ice-cold whole milk...maybe it's the luxury of listening to a finely-tuned instrument or tasting a finely-crafted wine...or maybe it's the blessing of The Gospel of Jesus Christ, the hope of the resurrection and the renewal of all things.  We CAN find something to rejoice in and give thanks for!

Rest - Our submission to suffering and the discipline of responding Christianly to it, should ultimately bring us to a place of rest.  That rest may only last an hour or two before we have to start over, actively engaging our hearts and minds to respond Christianly, but if we do, we will once again arrive at that place of rest.  Regardless of how elusive or temporary this rest may be, we should seek it and when we experience it, we will be led to anticipate the day when all our tears will be wiped away and we will be free from sin, temptation, sorrow, the cares of this fallen world, and will enter that Final Rest which comes about in our resurrection, renewal and life in a world fully united to Christ.  This is our best and highest HOPE which is neither elusive nor burdensome!