‘We all long for Eden and are constantly glimpsing it; our whole nature is soaked with the sense of exile’
J.R.R. Tolkien
‘If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.’
C. S. Lewis
Life is frequently hard. And for some it’s very hard.
Whilst the problems that I have to face are relatively small, I am, having witnessed it again this week, all too well aware that for many the hardships that they have to face are immense. The difficulties for such folk don’t just seem overwhelming, they are overwhelming – so much so that it is hard to imagine how anyone in their situation could possibly cope. And sadly, of course, there are some who don’t.
Suffering is everywhere – it is a part of what it is to be human, a part of what it means to be alive. But whilst it is never welcome and we should always do all we can to try to relive it, we have to accept that it is, to a greater or lesser extent, a part of all our lives. Even so, we all yearn for something better.
But what if our suffering had some meaning attached to it – what if it existed for a purpose? What if, on occasions at least, it was good for us, loosening our grip on what little we have and urging us to cling to something better?
Recently I have been reading the book of Genesis and this week I came to the part of the story where Jacob finally makes it back to Canaan. But Jacob only got to reenter the promised land after what can only be described as an extremely curious encounter with God.
Jacob is alone and we read of how he spent the hours of darkness wrestling with a stranger, an angel who is described as both man and God. Quite who it was that Jacob struggled with that night is not entirely clear. Whilst some consider the mysterious figure to be a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus, others are less certain. But what does seem clear is that the stranger is somebody who is, at the very least, a representative of God.
During the struggle Jacob is wounded by the man. He has his hip put out of joint as a result of which Jacob is left clinging on to the man, refusing to let go until he has received from him a blessing.
Jacob then entered the promise land – but he did so with a limp. And so perhaps we should not be too surprised if we also have to journey through this life with something that troubles us. Like the apostle Paul who was given it to stop him from becoming conceited [2 Corinthians 12:17], we too may be given a thorn in the flesh, something that causes us pain that our loving Heavenly Father has purposefully administered to us for our good, something that he seen fit for us to endure as we make our own way towards the promised land as well.
It strikes me that it is better for us to cling to God than to wrestle with him. Furthermore, if it takes some form of suffering to change our attitude such that we recognise our complete dependence on God, then that suffering is not altogether bad for us – on the contrary, it is in fact good for us, irrespective of how painful a struggle it might be at the time.
And so we need not lose heart when we experience trials – for not only are ‘the sufferings of this present time not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us’ [Romans 6:18], our suffering is actually achieving something as it makes us more dependent on God. Far from being meaningless, ‘this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. [2 Corinthians 4:17-18]. The genuine sadness we know today may well be extreme, but it will one day pale into insignificance when compared to the immense joy we will go on to experience throughout all eternity.
Make no mistake, what man means for evil, is evil, But God can mean it for good [Genesis 50:20]
Apparent weakness is at the heart of the Christian faith. God chose the foolish things in the world to shame the wise, he chose the weak things in the world to shame the strong [1 Corinthians 1:27], and he chose a bloody cross and a dying saviour as the way of redemption. Jesus Christ ‘was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed’ [Isaiah 53:5].
Paradoxically then pain has a purpose. It is through obedience that we are blessed [Psalm 119:1-2] and it is through suffering that we learn obedience. If that was the way for Jesus [Hebrews 5:8], it should not surprise us if it is the way for us as well. When we, who love God and are called according to his purpose, suffer, we need not think that God has abandoned us – rather we can be sure that he is working all things for our good. He is only doing what is necessary to ensure that we will continue to cling to him and so eventually make it home to that place where every tear will be wiped from our eyes and death will be no more. [Revelation 21:4]
In difficult times this is a comfort to me. To know that ‘the steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, that his mercies never come to an end’ [Lamentations 3:22-23] is the reassurance I need. And all the more so in times of affliction.
So as for me, I will continue to cling on to the one whose everlasting arms will hold me tight forever. And though he slay me, yet I will hope in God. [Job 13:15]. For he is my refuge and strength, an ever present help in times of trouble. [Psalm 46:1]
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Here’s a song, with some added words from John Piper, that I find helpful. Perhaps you will too.
Related posts:
To read ‘T.S. Eliot, Jesus and the Paradox of the Christian Life’, click here
To read “Why do bad things happen to good people – a tentative suggestion”, click here
To read “Luther and the global pandemic – on becoming a theologian of the cross”, click here
To read “Suffering- A Personal View”, click here.
To read ‘on the FALLEN and the FELLED’, click here
To read ‘Everything is alright’, click here
To read ‘On NOT leaving your comfort zone’, click here
To read “Hope comes from believing the promises of God”, click here
To read ‘Looking back to move confidently forward’, click here
To read ‘At Halloween, O death where is your sting?’, click here
To read ‘The Resurrection – is it just rhubarb?’, click here
To read “Hope comes from believing the promises of God”, click here
To read ‘Faith and Doubt’, click here
To read ‘What becomes of the broken hearted? Sorrowful yet always rejoicing on Palm Sunday’, click here
To read ‘Why do bad things happen to good people? Sorrowful yet always rejoicing on Good Friday’, click here
To read ‘Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things? Rejoicing, though temporarily sorrowful, on Easter Day’, click here.
Some musings 