Why DoWe
MINING THE RICHES
Suffer? By Jeff Hansen
Why do we suffer? This is a question that’s been asked many times by many people. However the suffering manifests itself, it’s unpleasant for us as human beings to endure, and quite often it’s downright painful.Why does God allow these unpleasant things to happen?
H I G H E R
T H I N G S __ 20
While reading through my old hymnal years ago, I came across a hymn referencing a verse from the third chapter of Lamentations. The reference from this relatively obscure and seldom-read book of the Bible seemed out of place, so I decided to read the chapter. Lamentations 3 teaches a lot about suffering.The first twenty verses describe how it feels to suffer, and many individuals can relate to its graphic description.The tone completely changes with the next verse: “But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end” (ESV). This is Gospel and echoes John 3:16. Those first twenty verses are also a foreshadowing of Christ’s suffering and dying on the cross for our salvation! Additional words of comfort follow:“For the Lord will not cast off forever, but, though He cause grief, He will have compassion according to the abundance of His steadfast love; for He does not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men” (Lamentations 3:31–33 ESV). Lamentations 3 teaches us that although we may suffer at times, the Lord will grant us faith, give us endurance, and help us get through those difficult times. Job even tells us that “He delivers the afflicted by their affliction and opens their ear by adversity” (Job 36:15 ESV).
1 Corinthians also assures us that “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it” (1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV). God has everything under control, no matter the circumstances, which is very comforting. The hymn I was alluding to earlier was “Go To Dark Gethsemane.” At the close of the second stanza, it states,“Shun not suff’ring, shame, or loss; learn of Him to bear the cross” (Lutheran Worship, 110:2). Christ experienced a great deal of suffering, even death, in order to carry out the one great plan of salvation for us. God has plans for all of us as well.That’s why He created us. Although we may never know exactly what those plans may be, we must endure any hardships that come our way. Adversity puts our lives in a different light and changes us. Martin Luther once stated, ”Affliction is the best book in my library,” meaning that the grim reality of suffering can often be the best teacher. It’s healthy to search for something positive to come from our sufferings.
