I've been reflecting a lot lately on suffering. (I know... great fun topic Terri... thanks for the pick me up). I'm not sure why as I'm not experiencing any significant suffering right now, especially when compared to what others are going through. Maybe it's in light of Easter just passing.
I think suffering is the biggest roadblock to people trusting God, and one of the biggest challenges for those who already trust Him.
I believe He reveals His character as much in the suffering (if not more) as in the joy. For some reason we tend to reach out, rebel against, wrestle with, collapse before God more in our times of trial, thus drawing us closer to Him, and His character... even when we're angry with Him.
I follow blogs of people going through much greater struggles than my simple life.... children with terminal illnesses, children who have passed away, Moms now struggling to raise children on their own after going through death of a spouse or divorce... All trying to live a life they didn't sign up for.
There is a quote...
Love of God is pure when joy and suffering inspire an equal degree of gratitude - Simone Weil
This is a level of faith going beyond trusting God through the suffering, but getting to the point of thankfulness for the suffering. That is a high level of intimacy with God. I think it has to come after trust.
I liken it to being a parent, and having to hold down your child for a medical procedure, or to administer medicine. It's for the childs own good she can trust her Father, and perhaps when she grows she'll be able to thank her Father for putting her through that because
- As she grows she'll learn it was for her own good.
- She'll realize it made her into the person she is today.
That's easy in an analogy on paper but when you're facing major life struggles as these people I've mentioned above it's not that simple.
These women are in the depths of their new reality. They're seeking God, and at times are thankful for what God is revealing. They inspire me to strive to walk stronger in my faith. What would I do in their shoes? Would I be still seeking God or would I turn my back on Him in anger?
There is a song by CeCe Winans called "Alabaster Box", in which she is singing as the woman who washed Jesus' feet with her hair, and expensive perfume. She says...
And I've come to pour
My praise on Him-like oil
From Mary's alabaster box
Don't be angry if I wash His feet with my tears
And dry them with my hair
You weren't there-the night He found me
You did not feel what I felt
When He wrapped His loving arms around me
And you don't know the cost
Of the oil in my alabaster box
I've always thought it was such a beautiful song, even moves me to tears. But, I never truly got it before, particularly the last line... "You don't know the cost of the oil in my alabaster box". Now I've come to realize the COST she is referring to is her pain, and suffering in life, and she lays it all at Jesus' feet. As she turns it back into praise to her savior.
There is also a praise chorus that says...
Blessed Be Your Name on the road marked with suffering... though there's pain in the offering... Blessed be your name.
I think I'm beginning to grasp the idea of an offering of suffering.
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