Human Sufferings

For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps (1 Peter 2:21)

“So much trouble in the world,” one great musical-poet once sang ever so lamentably.

As Christians, we are not inoculated with some kind of divine serum to deter, prevent or keep away sufferings from their malicious insurgencies to attack our personal world.

In fact, I am one of those who sincerely believe quite the opposite. Being a Christian, a committed believer, can, and will, become a fierce magnet, involuntarily attracting the alloys of the ‘Big D’s.’ Never heard of the Big D’s, you say? Maybe you’ve heard them not, but surely you’ve met them, or will meet some of them in the not too far, distant future: Disappointment, Discouragement, Defeat, Disaster, Dangers, Disorder, Disrespect, Destitution, Desolation, Disillusionment, Drugs, Despondency, Depression, Disease, Death, Disgruntled, Dread, Distress, Divorce ( Dissolution), Dilemma, Discomfort, Disorder, Devastation, Diseases…Death!
* The mystery of suffering! Suffering beyond any doubt is the commonest feature of human life. There are none who escape. There are the weird, strange, sufferings of childhood, which grow into the sterner sufferings of our manhood; and these into the special sufferings of old age. It reaches every portion of our being. Our body is held in the grip of physical suffering; our minds know the exquisite sufferings of intense perplexity, our hearts are continually all but broken in the woes of life and our wills in the spheres of intense suffering, in the intense discipline to which we are called upon to submit in life; and the inner shrine of our being is the scene of our most suffering—it casts its shadow over our life. Looked at upon the surface, all life may seem to be a comedy; but it is a very weird and pathetic comedy, for beneath this comedy lies the awful tragedy of life. *James Hasting

Eight proper ways to respond to sufferings:
1. Expect suffering— John 15:19-20—If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.
John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."
2. Commit your soul to God at the very beginning of your suffering—
1 Peter 4:19 Let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.
3. Don’t try to understand all the reasons for your suffering—
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
4. Realize others suffer—
1 Peter 5:8-9 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
5. Pray while in your suffering—
James 5:13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray.
Psalm 50:15 God says, Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me."
6. Don’t despise your suffering—
Hebrews 12:5 Have you forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: "My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him.
7. Don’t faint because you’re suffering—
Proverbs 24:10 If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.
Hebrews 12:3 Consider Jesus Christ who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
8. Patiently endure your suffering in a steadfast way—
Romans 12:12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;
2 Tim. 2:3 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 2:20 For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God.

“Success and suffering are vitally and organically linked. If you succeed without suffering, it is because someone else has suffered before you; if you suffer without succeeding, it is that someone else may succeed after you.” Edward Tudson