Suffering
I have been thinking about this for quite some time. It all began when I watched the movie “The Nativity Story”. I suddenly saw the Christmas Story in a whole new way. I saw it through the prism of suffering. Perhaps it is because it has been such a part of my life in recent years. Or perhaps it is because I know the Lord is teaching me something as I walk through this season of my life. I know He is teaching me because, as is always the case when He is working something within my heart, it is there at every turn. It is the whole thrust of the devotional book I have been using this year, I have heard it taught often and in various places, and the other day I saw it on someone’s blog – this question of the purpose of suffering.
I have thought much about it, but I confess that I haven’t come up with anything brilliant. I know that God always uses suffering in our lives for our good or so that we can comfort others who are suffering – I understand that. Yet I think there must be another dimension to it – some other purpose that perhaps we will never understand this side of heaven – because sometimes it’s just really hard to find the good.
I have hesitated about writing this because I’m afraid I won’t do a very good job and not be able to get my idea across in an understandable way. I’m going to try because it has been simmering inside me for a long time, and I’d like to get it written out. That always seems to help me.
As I watched the story of Jesus’ birth, I saw things from a different perspective than I ever have before. I saw Mary’s suffering. After that wonderful, miraculous encounter with the angel; after her sweet submission to the will of the Father; after the wonder of the miracle that was about to take place within her had made its way into her heart and mind – do you think she expected things would go smoothly? After all she was obediently walking the path God had set before her.
Was she hurt and surprised when her family and her fiancée did not at first believe her? The Bible doesn’t tell us how long she waited before the angel appeared to Joseph in a dream. Did the gossip and hurtful attitudes of the people around her hurt her heart?
Did she wonder why now, of all times, they had to make the long, difficult journey to
Bethlehem? And then, having finally arrived, why was there no place for them to stay and why did her labor have to start just then? As I watched the movie and saw Joseph frantically searching for a place, any place, where Mary could comfortably have her baby I thought (in my own human weakness), “Why did it have to be so hard Lord? Couldn’t there have been a warm, clean room for them?” And later, why did there have to be the slaughter of all those baby boys under the age of two?
Of course, looking down the long corridor of time I see why all those things had to be. Prophesy was being fulfilled; the long awaited plan was finally playing out. It was all just as it needed to be. But I wonder…..how did it feel at the time? Was there ever a moment when she questioned. What about during the brief life of her beloved Son? Were there moments when the suffering seemed just too much to bear? Surely it must have been so.
How does this help me to understand suffering? It doesn’t really, but it helps me to know that truly it does all turn out for the best. Whether I understand it now or see it when I go home to be with the Lord, it will all make sense. It may not help me to understand it all, but it comforts me to know that it is all part of the plan. Nothing that happens to me is out of God’s control. There may have been moments in Mary’s lifetime when she wondered if she had heard the angel correctly. She may have wondered why things couldn’t have been done with less suffering, why they couldn’t have been a little easier. It helps me to think about that – to know that God didn’t withhold suffering even from His own precious Son. Somehow it is a part of this life – and it all has meaning and purpose within the Father’s will.
I still love the Christmas Story. Like all good stories it ends gloriously. Suffering is a part of the story. I don’t fully understand why – but it is. And I trust Him.
Bless you sweet one.
Yes, I agree suffering always has a purpose. God usually doesn’t let me see why until much later, and I can see that He has chiseled some of myself away in the process of making me have more resemblance to Him.
Linda,
I think you did a beautiful job with this post. I never really thought much about suffering during the Christmas story either. Thank you for bringing that to light. Since I too am going through a bit of a struggle right now, I am holding tight to God’s purposes and that I will eventually see the good and the reasons for it all. Your writings are such a blessing to me!
The Bible doesn’t provide you with much of a window into Mary’s heart emotionally and yet, at the same time, it does show you her strong faith in the Lord. She knew the Word so she knew her son’s destiny and just like Jesus accepted God’s will for her life. It doesn’t mean she didn’t hurt, just like we know it grieved Jesus. What it does is solidify the bond between Father God and His children. As He is so are we in this world.
This was my life story for the longest time – suffering. I asked God one day why it had to be so hard. His answer: so I would know Him the way that I do now.
And as things progressed and I took whippin’ after whippin’, He reminded me that it isn’t at all about me, but rather about HIM and HIS glory. It’s about others seeing and believing, knowing that if you can do it maybe THEY can too. It’s about salvation and how the body is best served.
I don’t know if that made it any easier to swallow at the time, but it kept me from losing my mind and throwing in the towel.
Be encouraged that God is doing a GREAT work in you that will benefit more than just one or even two others.
May your harvest be plentiful and the fruits be ripe and sweet.
Linda,
This was a most beautiful and wonderfully written post!! You have shown me a part of the Christmas story that most definately was there but is often never mentioned. I love what you have shared in regards to suffering. I just read this morning in Hebrews 5:8 “though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.” I am sure Mary in her obedience suffered many things.
Blessings to you my sweet friend. Great job and never never stop sharing from your heart. This is what ministers to me.
Chris
Suffering is a part of the story. I don’t fully understand why – but it is. And I trust Him.
This post just resonated with me today… thank you for sharing.
I used to question the suffering that life brings… I must admit that I have never looked at the birth of Christ in that light… after reading your post I find that I have put myself in the God chosen path of Mary and find that her path was full of suffering…. The mother of Christ…. hard to understand and even harder to accept.. However suffering is a part of every life in lessor or greater measure… In times past when I have looked upon my own life and wondered why, the Lord always takes me to the woman at the well…… She took her sufferning and her past and evangelized the very people that caused her much shame……… How great is our God and what great things He has in store for each of us.
For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time [are] not worthy [to be compared] with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Romans 8:18
Wow, Linda
It doesn’t really, but it helps me to know that truly it does all turn out for the best….
I am right there with you. I needed this today. Thank you.
Hi Linda,
Excellent post…I did an entire teaching on “Suffering” for our women’s retreat in 2005, so I can definitely relate.
Blessings!