Suffering Has Purpose

Finding the Joy Amidst the Suffering

My heart is aching for a friend right now. As she stands in front of a judge and listens to the settlement of her marriage, she is no doubt questioning the whys and hows of her current circumstances. Her pain is intense at the unfairness of never being given a chance to save her marriage. Her fears are numerous at the uncertain future that lies ahead. Is it possible for her to find joy in this?

Suffering comes in many degrees. It could be financially, as we lose a job, physically, as we battle a terminal illness, or emotionally, by losing a loved one. These are difficult circumstances to endure, without doubt. But suffering because of someone else’s actions causes our world to turn upside down, and produces fear and panic within our souls that can be devastating. How can we possibly find the joy that God provides amidst this scene of injustice?

I ask myself the same questions as I am busy picking up the pieces of my own shattered marriage. Like my friend, I am trying to find joy. Searching the depths of my pain, I reach out to my Lord and Savior, realizing that He, too, suffered because of others.

Sweating blood in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus was in desperation for the suffering that awaited Him at the cross. How many times through my suffering have I cried out the same cry, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will”?

Jesus’ cup was not taken from Him. Because of our Savior’s suffering, we have been offered the gift of salvation; eternal life, given freely upon request. He had to carry the cross in order for God our Father to complete His will. Jesus’ suffering was not in vain, and neither is mine.

Somewhere in the midst of all the anger and hurt I feel there is a reason for this cross I bear. Peter tells us in 1 Peter 4:13 that we are to “rejoice that we participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that we may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.” This brings me some comfort in knowing that my suffering is not without purpose, and just as there was an end to Jesus’ suffering, there will also be an end to my own pains -- an end of glory.

James 1:2 tells me that “we are to consider it pure joy whenever we face trials of many kinds, because this testing of our faith develops perseverance.” Perseverance is a necessary trait that I need in order to overcome the obstacles that so often fall on my path; not only for this trial, but also for the many more that will surely come into my life. If I quit at every little hindrance that falls in my way, how will I ever grow and mature, gaining the strength to face life head on?

In 2 Corinthians 1: 4, Paul tells me that “God comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.” There is a lesson for me in my suffering. One that I can take with me into the world to help another. As I step out with this comfort to other hurting souls, my eyes are averted from my own burdens, and I can share the faith and strength that I have gained through my experience.

The greatest source of hope found in my journey of suffering has been in Romans 8:28. Here Paul states, “in all things God works for the good of those who love him.” I may not see the purpose behind my current circumstance, but whatever it is, I can rest assured that God will bring good out of it. Some how. Some way. This is His promise.

So where do I find my joy as I travel this road of pain and suffering? I find it in the application of God’s word to my circumstance. He has promised me that my suffering is not in vain. Although my hurt sometimes covers the understanding, it is not without purpose, and He will be beside me to strengthen and comfort me along the way. Through all of this, He will build me up and strengthen me to reach out to others with love and compassion in their personal sufferings and trials. There is a light at the end of this long, dark tunnel, and that light is the glory of God, our Father.

© 1999 Caryn Burdine