It’s fair to say that I don’t enjoy suffering. It makes you uncomfortable, confronts and
creates insecurities you never grasped, and forces you to come to grips with the evil in the world.
At times, our suffering reveals the necessity for retribution or reward.
Over the last ten years (but let’s be honest, 26), I have had many experiences and
seasons of suffering. For example, I’ve walked through the separation of my parents and
my dad’s death. Although this was years ago, I’m uncertain that I’ve suffered through every part.
Part of me wonders if I viewed suffering as a detour rather than a rest stop.
In each of my blog posts (I think?) I’ve mentioned that I’m reading through my Bible
plan, approaching the scriptures “differently” than before. And I’ve made the pit stop to
the book of Job. The first thing that came to mind was; “we get it; Job had a rough go.”
After the thought, I wanted to challenge myself to find a theme besides the typical “Job
suffered well” view and push it to consider the emotions intended to be conveyed and
questions that the text is trying to provoke.
With that being the foundation, I came across the first exchange between Job and
Eliphaz. What struck me was this phrase:
“Behold, this we have searched out; it is true. Hear, and know it for your good.”
~ Job 5:27
In this short bookmark for Eliphaz, I was struck with how the world reflects and engages
with suffering itself. Sometimes Christians espouse a similar idea:
Suffering is meant to be avoided at best and rushed at most.
I remember after my dad’s passing, attending the funeral and reception, and even
spending time with friends afterwards, there was a consistent bombardment of “grieve
well so you can move on.” And it’s possible that this wasn’t the exact phrasing of their
sentiments. However true that may be,
The suffering you’re feeling is just an inconvenience on the road of life.
I’m sure many don’t consider the beauty of suffering. So many people I’ve talked to,
myself included, ask, “When can I catch a break?”. When we endure suffering, grief,
loss, pain, and anything jeopardizing our comfort, we want to return to the good ol’ days.
Suffering for the Christian is joy.
One temptation we can face when Christian brothers and sisters go through hardship
and “wallow” in their suffering, we can be tempted to say, “The Bible says this is a good
thing, so get over it. It’s all a part of God’s plan.”
When we rush people’s suffering, we rob them of true joy.
Although the truth we speak may be grounded biblically and plotted out with logic and
zeal for truth, what if we are meant to feel the suffering we are enduring. To lean into the
feelings of grief and pain?
When we lean into our suffering, we move closer to the image of Jesus.
What is the “application” for us, then? As ministers of the Word (or aspiring to be), how
can we pastor a suffering parishioner well? How can we genuinely care for their soul?
How can we shepherd them further into the likeness of Christ? And how can the believer suffer well?
We can suffer well by running toward our suffering and not fleeing it.
Great post. I am facing a couple of these problems.
The following time I read a blog, I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as a lot as this one. I mean, I do know it was my option to learn, however I truly thought youd have one thing interesting to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something that you would repair should you werent too busy looking for attention.
Woah! I’m really digging the template/theme of this site. It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s very hard to get that “perfect balance” between usability and appearance. I must say you’ve done a fantastic job with this. In addition, the blog loads extremely fast for me on Internet explorer. Superb Blog!
Im thankful for the article post.Thanks Again. Cool.
I dugg some of you post as I cogitated they were extremely helpful very beneficial
I precisely desired to thank you so much once more. I do not know the things that I could possibly have followed without the entire advice shown by you relating to such a industry. Certainly was an absolute fearsome matter for me personally, but noticing the very specialized approach you solved that forced me to cry with delight. Now i am thankful for your assistance and thus trust you are aware of a great job you are always undertaking educating men and women through the use of your webpage. Probably you’ve never encountered any of us.
Say, you got a nice article post.Thanks Again. Want more.
I was just searching for this info for some time. After 6 hours of continuous Googleing, finally I got it in your website. I wonder what’s the lack of Google strategy that do not rank this type of informative websites in top of the list. Generally the top websites are full of garbage.
I¦ve read some good stuff here. Certainly price bookmarking for revisiting. I wonder how so much attempt you put to make the sort of great informative site.
Great line up. We will be linking to this great article on our site. Keep up the good writing.
Good day! I could have sworn I’ve been to this site before but after checking through some of the post I realized it’s new to me. Nonetheless, I’m definitely happy I found it and I’ll be bookmarking and checking back frequently!
Great blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere? A design like yours with a few simple adjustements would really make my blog jump out. Please let me know where you got your theme. With thanks
Merely wanna input on few general things, The website design and style is perfect, the articles is rattling good. “All movements go too far.” by Bertrand Russell.
Thank you for another excellent post. The place else could anybody get that kind of info in such an ideal way of writing? I’ve a presentation next week, and I am at the look for such info.
You made a few good points there. I did a search on the matter and found a good number of people will go along with with your blog.
Im thankful for the article post.Really thank you! Will read on…
Woah! I’m really digging the template/theme of this website. It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s very difficult to get that “perfect balance” between usability and appearance. I must say you’ve done a amazing job with this. In addition, the blog loads extremely fast for me on Internet explorer. Superb Blog!
A round of applause for your article post. Great.
Hey very cool website!! Guy .. Beautiful .. Amazing .. I will bookmark your web site and take the feeds additionally…I am happy to find so many helpful information right here in the post, we need develop more techniques in this regard, thanks for sharing. . . . . .
You are really a good webmaster, you have done a well job on this topic!
Woh I like your posts, saved to bookmarks! .
You have brought up a very wonderful details, thanks for the post.
Howdy very cool site!! Man .. Beautiful .. Amazing .. I’ll bookmark your website and take the feeds additionallyKI am glad to find so many helpful information right here within the publish, we want work out more techniques on this regard, thanks for sharing. . . . . .
Exactly what I was looking for, regards for putting up.
I don’t commonly comment but I gotta state thanks for the post on this perfect one : D.
Real nice style and design and good subject matter, practically nothing else we need : D.
I think you have remarked some very interesting details, appreciate it for the post.
I was wondering if you ever thought of changing the structure of your website? Its very well written; I love what youve got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having one or two images. Maybe you could space it out better?
Hi everyone, it’s my first pay a visit at this website, and article is actually fruitful designed for me, keep up posting these types of articles.
I really like your writing style, excellent information, thanks for posting :D. “I hate mankind, for I think myself one of the best of them, and I know how bad I am.” by Joseph Baretti.
Heya i’m for the first time here. I found this board and I in finding It really helpful & it helped me out much. I hope to give something back and help others like you aided me.
Undeniably consider that which you stated. Your favorite reason seemed to be on the internet the easiest factor to be aware of. I say to you, I certainly get irked whilst other people consider concerns that they just do not understand about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top and defined out the whole thing with no need side effect , other people can take a signal. Will probably be back to get more. Thank you
Wow, great blog post.Much thanks again. Really Cool.
It is really a great and helpful piece of information. I am glad that you shared this helpful info with us. Please keep us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.
A round of applause for your blog article.Much thanks again. Really Great.
I have been absent for some time, but now I remember why I used to love this web site. Thank you, I will try and check back more often. How frequently you update your site?
Do you have a spam issue on this site; I also am a blogger, and I was wondering your situation; we have developed some nice practices and we are looking to swap strategies with other folks, why not shoot me an email if interested.
I like this web site very much, Its a real nice billet to read and receive info . “The mark of a good action is that it appears inevitable in retrospect.” by Robert Louis Stephenson.
I was looking through some of your content on this site and I think this website is real instructive! Keep on putting up.
Major thanks for the blog post.Really looking forward to read more. Awesome.
Usually I don’t learn post on blogs, however I would like to say that this write-up very pressured me to try and do it! Your writing style has been surprised me. Thank you, quite great post.
Having read this I thought it was very informative. I appreciate you taking the time and effort to put this article together. I once again find myself spending way to much time both reading and commenting. But so what, it was still worth it!
Very interesting topic, appreciate it for putting up.
This is the right blog for anyone who wants to find out about this topic. You realize so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I actually would want…HaHa). You definitely put a new spin on a topic thats been written about for years. Great stuff, just great!
Hey, thanks for the blog article.Much thanks again.
Hi there, You have done an excellent job. I will certainly digg it and personally suggest to my friends. I’m sure they will be benefited from this web site.
This is very attention-grabbing, You are an overly skilled blogger. I have joined your rss feed and look forward to in search of more of your wonderful post. Also, I have shared your site in my social networks!
Great write-up, I am normal visitor of one?¦s blog, maintain up the nice operate, and It’s going to be a regular visitor for a long time.
I wanted to thank you for this great read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post…
Hiya, I’m really glad I’ve found this information. Nowadays bloggers publish just about gossips and net and this is actually frustrating. A good site with interesting content, this is what I need. Thanks for keeping this site, I’ll be visiting it. Do you do newsletters? Cant find it.