August 1 , 2007
“Our Response to Suffering”
Dear Friend,
I believe that in most human souls there is a degree of passion to grow into our full potential. That passion is sometimes stimulated by life events, but also stymied by life disappointments.
We have studied through Isaiah 53. I spoke of it as the Suffering Servant poem. This chapter, more than any other passage in the Old Testament, explains the transforming power of Christ’s suffering on the cross.
The author of Hebrews wrote that Christ was made perfect by the things He suffered. If we are followers of Jesus Christ, we can expect our loving Heavenly Father to teach us by using life’s suffering experiences to perfect our souls. So then, it is not the experience of suffering that stimulates or stymies growth, but rather our response to suffering.
In their book How People Grow, Henry Cloud and John Townsend wisely wrote: “One of the most important tasks of spiritual growth is to understand how to suffer.” They then recommend four responses to suffering:
- Normalize suffering: Suffering is a normal part of the human condition. We accept it and refuse to be victims.
- Choose Godly suffering: The cause of goodness is worth suffering for.
- Be humble: Pride and arrogance rebel against suffering, but humility sees suffering as an opportunity for growth.
- Depend on God and people: The Bible teaches—and life proves—that we do not need to suffer alone. God and good people are available to walk with us.
Jesus Christ purchases eternal life in the presence of God for all who trust in His redemptive suffering. But He also promises that those who live God-like lives must anticipate sharing in the sorrows of Christ for growth and maturity of their eternal souls.
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Dr. Dave Collings
Lead Pastor
Christ Church
