Torch, Winter 1991

Bible and read these words: "What then shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us. He Who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all--how will He not also...graciously give us all things" (Romans 8:31,32). Today I will go home and enjoy a precious little daughter, but that night I found hope in God 's Word. Words that I had read countless times before took on new meaning when I read them in the context of personal suffering. • Suffering is a catalyst toward righteousness. Scripture never promises that the road to holiness is smooth and level. The author of Hebrews truthfully acknowledged, "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who are trained by it" (Hebrews 12:11). Suffering orders our priorities. It has a way of reminding us of what is truly important in this life. Suffering nurtures righteousness , and in righteousness we find peace. • Suffering enhances our ability to encourage others. Paul outlined this principle in 2 Corinthians 1:3,4: "Praise be to... the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, Who comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. " My heart is immediately touched when I hear of a young couple who experience a miscarriage. I understand. I have survived such a hurt. God has comforted me, and now I have the ability and, dare I say, the responsi– bility to share that comfort with others. Understanding why we have suffered may lighten the load, but God ' s Word goes even further. There are specific instructions on how to cope with trials -– survival training for sufferers, so to speak. • Suffering should signal us to rejoice. Like much of God 's wisdom, His advice seems paradoxical at first. In James 1:2-4, we read, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds , because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature, complete." Likewise, Peter has instructed us to rejoice when we suffer (I Peter 1:6). In each passage we find the subtle suggestion that our focus is not to be on the suffering itself, but rather on what suffering can accomplish in our lives. Suffering has made me more patient, more understanding , and more cognizant of my need to rely on God. Suffering has deepened my knowledge of God and taught me to value my salvation. • Suffering reaps eternal benefits. Suffering has a way of wearing us down, leaving us in a state of fatigue and exhaustion. We find it very difficult to see beyond our immediate struggles. Paul identified with this struggle and wisely advised, ".. .do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary but what is unseen is eternal" (2 Corinthians 4: 16-18). Temporary pain reaps eternal benefits. We must resist the tendency to bring a Pearl Harbor perspective to our pain. If someone were to write a history of World War II with his only vantage point having been the docks and airfields of Pearl Harbor, his conclusion would obviously be that the U.S. went down in a resound– ing defeat. Such is the case as we view our own human suffering. If our only viewpoint is the here and now, our suffering will appear overwhelming, and our God uncaring. How untrue. All suffering, for the Christian, is temporary. I am convinced that the only way to make sense of human pain is to view it with a perspective mindful of eternity. • Suffering permits us to ask "Why?" It is essential that we honestly communi– cate our needs to God. We must pour out our fears and confusion, casting all our anxiety on Him because He cares for us. Dare to pray the "why" prayers: "God, why are You allowing this ? Why must we suffer so?" In Romans 8, Paul alluded to hurts that make it difficult to pray. At those times , all we can do is groan, and the Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf, translating our groans into eloquent prayers. • Suffering should motivate us to submit and to serve. First Peter 4:19 states, "...those who suffer according to God 's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good. " It is in a drowning person 's best interest not to wrestle with the person who is attempting to pull him to shore. Submission saves his life. Suffering saints must likewise submit to God, Who has our best interest at heart. Suffering is not an excuse to sit out the game of life. God doesn't need bench warmers. We are to do good even when we hurt. Several years ago we watched in awe as an Olympic gymnast with multiple broken bones continued to perform. Sheer determination and perhaps a drive for personal or national glory kept him going. With equal determination and a desire to glorify our God, we must keep on serving even when we hurt. Perhaps it is then that our testimony shines its brightest. Trials are to perfect and to posture us. They perfect us like fire perfects gold, burning off the impurities so that we more clearly reflect God's image. They posture us by bringing us to our knees and drawing us into our loving Father's arms. Perhaps the most fitting conclusion to a discussion of human suffering is found in the book of Hebrews: "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus , the Author and Perfecter of our faith , Who for the joy set before Him endured the cross.. .. Consider Him Who endured such treatment from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart" (Hebrews 12:2,3). CHINA AND HONGKONG TORCH readers: See the sights and contact the cultures of China and Hong Kong. Investigate the ancient civiliza– tion that brought to the world paper, printing,gun powder, and rockets. Marvel at the ancient architecture, the breath– taking landscapes, and the intriguing people of China. Myron Youngman, a teacher in China for s ix years and architect of the exchange program between Peoples' University in Beijing and Cedarville College, will lead a two-week, deluxe tour at reasonable rates beginning in late June. For more information contact: Myron Youngman Office of Development Cedarville College P.O. Box 601 Cedarville, OH 45314-0601 513-766-2211