The Mystery of Suffering

When I think back over our 2020 and 2021, it’s like we walked through a curtain into a new atmosphere, a new world it seems. Life, post-COVID, is just different.

Beyond the COVID experience, our family has experienced many losses. In January 2021, my sister passed away followed by my dear Aunt in May of 2021. When we thought the mourning and grieving was drawing to an end, we had to walk through the loss of my father-in-law who was a most cherished grandfather to my children and best friend to my husband.

How does one cope through such deep loss? I hadn’t thought deeply about the notion until death crept so close to us and I found all my answers in the cross of my Savior.

I’ve learned how dearly important it is for the Christian to have an understanding of the sufferings of Christ to be able to find strength and peace in the sufferings of this world.

My Savior suffered and therefore, as His child, I too will undergo suffering. The world may look at tragedy and hang their head in shame and dismay and try to muster up energy to get through life. In the light of Christ’s death on the cross though, suffering takes on a different perspective from the world. The believer has the ability to count it all joy in suffering because through suffering we develop endurance and perseverance. Our inner man is renewed.

I’ve learned through the example of Christ and other brave Christians, like Elisabeth Elliott, that suffering is not for nothing. Suffering is a mystery. We won't understand all of the ramifications of our suffering experiences, but we can be confident that there is One that has a purpose for us in it and is sovereign in it all. I’m learning that God transforms me through pain and as I accept and even develop a heart of gratitude in suffering, I’m being transformed further into the person that God has planned for me to be.

It’s extremely painful and

Uncomfortable,

But the fruit that results for the one who endures is priceless.