Suffering. No one wants it. In fact, we work hard to prevent any type from finding its way into our lives. These hard times can take on many different forms. It can be a great loss, like the death of a child, or something that is a bit more subtle, but just as painful. These events and seasons in our lives change and stretch us. Like we explored in my last post, it brings a sort of refining to our being like nothing else can. Learning why we can be thankful for this refining process is our topic for the holiday season.
No matter how you slice it, life is full of challenges and suffering. Death brings great suffering into people’s lives; death of a spouse, child, sibling, or parent, caused by a host of reasons; terminal illness, miscarriage, suicide, accident, or old age. There are other reasons people suffer, such as losing a job along with financial stress, difficult relationships, unmet expectations, and even living through a natural disaster. Chronic pain, the loss of a body function, such as hearing or sight, and watching a loved one decline in health can also cause us pain and sorrow. Each of these hardships, as my daughter, Morgan, pointed out, represent some sort of loss; “loss of a person, loss of home, loss of safety, loss of stability or purpose.” This is why these experiences can be so painful.
Suffering Can Feel Like a Wildfire
Sometimes the trials that blow through our lives are like wildfires that spread and destroy. Would you believe me if I told you that along with the destruction, there are also benefits of that very same wildfire burning through a forest? It may be hard to fathom based on the remains that can be seen, so let’s take a moment to look at some of them.
Picture yourself walking through a woodsy forest and think about all you see. There is something so peaceful about enjoying a nature trail with leaves crunching under your feet. Along with the beauty, there is also a thick covering of leaves and underbrush with the presence of choking weeds. Dim light from the sun filters through the thick growth of branches and leaves at the tops of the trees. Mosquitoes, along with other insects, will probably fly around your head, and you will most likely see dead, decaying and fallen trees as well.
What is Left Behind?
If a wildfire were to start here, it would spread quickly, burning and destroying everything in its path. Charred remains are all you see at first glance, but take a closer look. Burned away are the dead and decaying trees, choking weeds, the brittle leaves, and the thick underbrush. The fire eliminated the pesky insects and all the diseased plants. All of these things became ash which settled on the ground. This ash is full of nutrients that soak down into the soil over the healing time and replenishes it, making it fertile ground for future growth. Looking up, you see that some of the smaller branches and their leaves were burned in the fire, so more sun light reaches the forest floor. Finally, notice that healthy trees may be charred on one side, but still stand, live, and have proven to be resistant enough to withstand the fire.
Making the Connection
This is us, too, when trials sweep through our lives causing destruction. When the fire is over, we may only be able to see the charred remains at first. However, at closer inspection and after a time of healing, we may be able to see how God used the trial to help to eliminate choking weeds, and dead and decaying elements from our lives. The ash left behind makes our hearts fertile ground for beautiful growth in strength, endurance, and our relationship with the Lord.
But I Don’t Understand!
Have you ever found yourself standing in the valley, looking up at the destroyed path of your fiery trial and thought, “But I love and follow Him, and I’m doing the right things, yet, (insert hardship) has happened?” Just because we know and love Jesus does not mean we will be exempt from difficult and heartbreaking times in our lives. In fact, Jesus tells us that, “in this world, you will have trouble” (John 16:33b). Not that we “might” or “could be subject to” but “will.” Before discouragement settles in your heart, check out the big “but” that follows, “But, take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33b).
Take Heart!
My heart leaps when I read that verse! Did you see that exclamation mark in verse 33? “But take heart!” It’s not very often you see that particular end mark in scripture, but since I am a major user of exclamation marks, I tend to pay attention when they show up. For many years, I taught my fourth graders that the exclamation mark shows strong feeling. So, this means that Jesus uses strong feeling to encourage us. In the Greek, this phrase means “take courage!” or “Cheer up!” (Goodrick & Kohlenburger, 1999).
Then, He gives us the reason we can be courageous. He tells us, “I have overcome the world” (vs.33b). Overcome in the Greek means, “overpower, to conquer, triumph” (Goodrick & Kohlenburger, 1999). Sweet friend, it may feel like your life is spiraling out of control, but be encouraged, God is in control. He doesn’t cause our suffering, but He does allow it because He knows the good it can bring; a burning of the dead and decaying parts in us, allows more of His light to reach our hearts and make them more fertile ground to accept the nutrients of His grace and love.
He adores you. In fact, He loves you so much that He wants to refine you to become more like Him. You are strong. Stand firm through this trial and know that the good will show itself in time. Trust Him. He knows.
Be Blessed.
Reference
Goodrick, E.W. & Kohlenburger, J.R. (1999). NIV Exhaustive Concordance (2nd ed.). Grand
Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing Co.