This is a reprinted column from Jack Purcell’s “On the Journey” archives. It originally appeared in The Star in 2013.
The question posed in the headline of this week’s column is more than a little complicated, or at least that is often the way we make it. My friend Gaylan Schroeder, our county judge, died this week after a prolonged struggle with his health. In today’s world he died much too early and suffered, trying to live out life the only way he knew how – to the fullest.
There are a few men who cross your lives that have the heart of a servant, and some of those make extraordinary contributions to the welfare of others. Another man who I have had the privilege of getting to know is Eugene Peterson. If you are a Christian and have not read any of Eugene’s vast work, you have missed a wonderful experience. He is most known for writing “The Message,” a contemporary translation of the Bible.
It you have a copy or access to one, I recommend that you read the introduction to the book of Job. Eugene, who wouldn’t like this article and shuns personal celebrity, is without doubt one of this generation’s finest wordsmiths. My definition of a wordsmith is a person who writes things that you wish you had thought of. Eugene’s, introduction to Job inspired this writing.
On the issue of Christians who suffer, some, it seems, were chosen to suffer, and it makes no sense to us. Why them or why me?
You might find this disappointing but I have no idea and neither do you because we cannot put God in a box and explain his ways. Some, however, make a valiant effort to do so and wind up confusing the matter all the more.
Possibly the most complex thing about suffering is the conflicting response that men have versus God’s view of its ultimate purpose. The truth is we just don’t like suffering, whether it is our own or that of someone we love.
In our minds there is just something not right about people suffering. We hear things like “She doesn’t deserve this” or “Why doesn’t God do something” or “This is such a shame.”
Pardon the pun, but fortunately we do not have to suffer through this issue without knowledge of what Scripture has to say about it.
“There’s far more to this life than trusting in Christ. There’s also suffering for him. And the suffering is as much a gift as the trusting.” Philippians 1:29 (Message).
And in 2 Timothy 2:3 “When the going gets rough, take it on the chin with the rest of us, the way Jesus did.”
2 Peter 4:19 says, “So if you find life difficult because you’re doing what God said, take it in stride. Trust him. He knows what he’s doing, and he will keep on doing it.”
One of the things I always like about the truth is it always raises interesting questions. The Bible describes suffering as expected, necessary and profitable. So what drives us to want to avoid it at all costs?
Oh no, it’s back to that old tripping point. “It’s all about me.”
Whenever we can get ourselves to face the truth that it is really all about God, then maybe suffering may take on its proper perspective in our lives. Until then, be careful not to put too much trust in the many television preachers telling you that you should be healthy and wealthy.
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