Torch, Winter 1991

--------------------------- children when none are conceived. Crushing blows, on the other hand, are sudden , unsuspected , and catastrophic. They include losing a loved one to the recklessness of a drunk driver, learning that one has cancer, or perhaps learning of a spouse ' s unfaithfulness. Both dull aches and crushing blows can steal the breath from our souls and drain the vitality from our lives. It is a mistake to assume that all trials look alike. They run the gamut from personal illness and problems in rela– tionships to persecution for religious beliefs. We must be sensitive to people whose trials are different than our own, to single parents, the handicapped, those struggling with infertility, and those with AIDS . We must also be honest about our own suffering. Just as it is possible to over– estimate our hardshjps , it is possible to underestimate or even deny our pain. Many Christians refuse to give them– selves petmission to hurt. They glibly deny their suffering out of a wsconcep– tion that Ch1istians always are to be happy. Paul shatters this myth in Romans 8:22-28 , in which he info1ms us that groaning is a natural part of the Christian life. • Trials are to be expected. In I Peter 4:12, Peter warns , " ...do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you ... ." Trials and suffering are the norm, not the excep– tion. We should expect to suffer because we live in a world grossly defiled by sin . Larry Crabb has accurately observed, "God designed us for a garden without weeds, relationships without friction , and fellowship without distance. But something is wrong...both within our world and withjn ourselves. " 1 Those who purvey a prosperity gospel in which coming to Christ supposedly guarantees health, wealth, and perpetual happiness have failed to teach the whole counsel of God 's Word. The reality is that we can anticipate times of suffering, no matter how disciplined we are in our pursuit of holiness. • Trials are valuable. The value of suffering lies in its ability to develop our faith. First Peter 1:7 states, "These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold , which perishes even though refined by fire-– may be proved genuine and result in praise, honor, and glory when Jesus Christ is revealed." Genuine faith is more valuable than gold because it cannot be lost or taken away. For me, faith involves coming to God with all my confusion and saying, "God, I have no idea why You are allowing these trials to affect my family , but I do know that You are in complete control and that You love me. I know that You are a gentle and compassionate Father Who is able to bring good results out of bad circumstances." This leads very naturally to a final point. • Trials are controlled. He is an active agent in all our trials . Even trials resulting from our own sin are controlled by God. There are limits as to how much God will allow us to suffer. There have been times in my life when I have felt that God tested or surpassed that limit. But as I look back, those were the times when God stretched me the most, preparing me for the other trials to come along later. Job 's trials illustrate this principle. God was always there, setting strict limits on what Satan could or could not do to Job. Satan intended to destroy Job with suffering, but God outwitted him, using Satan ' s trials to deepen Job ' s faith. Interestingly, Job used the same analogy in Job 23: 10 that Peter used in I Peter 1:7. He compared suffering to the refining process that takes place with gold. Job confidently asserted, "But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold." Suffering is like going through the furnace that refines gold, burning off the dross and impurities. We are refined by suffering, our imperfections are melted away, leaving us more valuable and pure. As trials come into our lives, God controls the thermostat, never allowing the heat to become so severe that it destroys us. He sets the temperature at just the right level so that His purpose is accomplished. Are you suffering? Is your faith being put to the ultimate test? When it seems that life hurts so much that you can 't continue, you can find comfort by understanding the very nature of suffering. It is temporary. It is necessary and valuable. It comes in many forms, and can be expected to touch each life eventually. And, most of all , it is under complete control of a loving and compassionate God. 'Inside Out, by Lan-y Crabb. NavPress, 1988. Carl Ruby is a counselor and adjunct instructor of psychology at Cedarville College. He also asists a fellow faculty member in a private counseling practice. A 1983 Cedar– ville graduate, he earned a master's degree in clinical psychology at Wheaton College. You Benefit And So Does Cedarville College Cedarville College • Enhance Your Giving! For further information about giving through a Cedarville College Gift Annuity, call or write: Office of Planned Giving Cedarville College P.O. Box 601 Cedarville, OH 45314-0601 513-766-2211