Suffering is a subjective, intense experience that is often triggered by some unexpected loss or trauma. And maybe because of the subjective nature of suffering or perhaps it is due to the intense emotional experiences that are coupled with suffering, suffering has been inadequately dealt with in both our American and church culture.
Suffering is frequently viewed through the lens of unfairness, being unjustified, or failure with a very personal focus. The idea of, “this should not be happening to me, this is ______ (not fair, not right, etc.)” We often view suffering as a consequence of behavior or a result of something we have done wrong. We may ruminate what we did or should have done to avoid loss or trauma. We certainly try to push pain and suffering away.
A different way of handling suffering needs to be reflected upon and perhaps embraced. Suffering is a part of human experience. So much so, Christ embraced and accepted his suffering and modeled a way of surrendering to it.
Pain is inevitable; the profound long-term suffering is often shaped by how an individual, family, or community perceives, interprets, and copes with the pain. We need to start entering into suffering and look for purpose and growth to help make it bearable.
Pain is inevitable; the profound long-term suffering is often shaped by how an individual, family, or community perceives, interprets, and copes with the pain. We need to start entering into suffering and look for purpose and growth to help make it bearable. We need to look for opportunities within the suffering to go deeper in relationships, increase empathy, or find a new appreciation for our faith or life. We also need to realize that these places of opportunity are not entered lightly or with the quote of a Bible verse, it is a process of deeply seeking comfort and grace when we are laid bare. And to realize we need others and Christ to help us through these intense days.
