Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Romans 5:3-5
Anybody who has visited a physiotherapist knows that there is a lot of painful massaging, bending, stretching, and possibly even needles involved in the healing process of our bodies. Recently I was reminded of this fact when I had to pay the physiotherapist a visit. I ended up biting down on my teeth for most of the appointment, just to deal with the excruciating pain of the tensed-up muscles being pressed on, over and over again. But when I left – I felt like a new person.
Nobody wants to suffer. And yet every person on this earth has and will experience suffering.
When we are in times of suffering, we tend to ignore the pain. We hope that denial will bring us the relief we so desperately long for. But just as it is with our physical pain, when emotional or psychological pain is ignored, it ends up getting worse; spreading into other areas of our lives; forcing us to notice it. We must notice our suffering and not run from it.
In a sermon on the “Cross and Suffering” (1530) Luther writes about the kind of cross that we bear and suffer, but also how we should bear and suffer it. Mean- ing suffering is inevitable, but what we do with our suffering, and how we handle it, is a different matter. He then continues to say: “But our teaching is this, that none should dictate or choose his own cross and suffering, but rather, when it comes, patiently bear and suffer it”.
I can almost hear the immediate response: Easier said than done.
Even though reading and knowing this text does not take any of the suffering away, as a believer I find comfort in the undeniable fact that the Holy Spirit does not leave us to deal with our suffering on our own. No, God gives us hope and perspective through His own suffering. Amidst and through your own suffering, God can produce a result of endurance, character, and hope.
No matter where you are, take a few minutes to close your eyes and become quiet. When you are ready pray this prayer:
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference. Amen.
(The Serenity Prayer by Reinhold Niebuhr)
Pastor Ingrid van Sittert
