Why suffer?

I find that during the struggle of my life, I am all too easily convinced of how much better my life would be if I didn’t have to struggle so much. If my circumstances were less difficult, I assume, my enjoyment of life would be much greater. Like all of the deceptions of the devil, this is only partly true. Indeed, my life might be instantly more enjoyable, but like a decadent and forbidden treat to my carnal man the pleasure would last only a short while, and in the end I would be left with the residue of my excess and most importantly, without the character that I will need for the next part of my journey through life. How complacent we are to wish our troubles away.

A saint to be once wrote: “it is not your suffering which will grieve you in the end, but the fact that you suffered so little so badly.” It isn’t difficult to understand the wisdom of those words with hindsight, but that comment was surely written at a time when no one listened to that man (or woman). Am I saying that my words will be similarly venerated? No, not at all. I am saying that it is exactly when you are suffering that you must give, because your suffering can bring salvation. That person who is troubling you needs you to minister to them, that they might escape the trap of the devil. A difficult thing but, I am convinced, perfectly true. We need to change the world one person at a time. Concern yourself with your fellow man, who needs you more than you know.

Every time you do God’s will, you make it more difficult for the enemy to harm you or your enemy, who is actually your friend. Conversely, every time you do not do God’s will, you convince your enemy to hate you and lessen the chance of them becoming your friend. The devil, of course, rejoices. In it’s simplicity, the solution statement is there. It hurts, of course, whenever you have to give up your rights in order to bring a true sense of balance to a situation where someone has been hurt, but remember that they are hurting and that you would (you absolutely would) behave in the same way if you had been similarly wounded (perhaps a little worse).

Change your enemy little by little. Teach them to love by encouraging them not to hate. Do this by doing the right thing. It’s a simple thing but oh so difficult. It might make or break eternal destinies. Don’t let your good intentions alone deprive you of doing the right thing. Our salvation was not won by prayer but by action and prayer, so don’t pass the buck. The responsibility of restoring the lost has been given to you whenever it arises in your life. You might lose some and win some, but you will lose them all if you refuse to try!

Remember, God made one son without sin but never one without suffering. Your struggle will bring you closer to God and make it easier for you to express Godly love. Your exact circumstances today are the crown of glory for your head tomorrow. Suffer with God on his timescale and you will receive the crown of life. Don’t let anyone steal your crown by persuading you that it is not your responsibility to love. The love of many will grow cold for reasons such as this. You are loved so that you can love; he is in you so that others will see him in you and so desire him. Be a channel, be a source. Hold onto the word of life and shine brightly, as you are destined to do.

“Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.” Daniel 12: 3

Why not suffer?