Suffering {Day 15}

Today’s reflection is about suffering. Honestly, I almost didn’t read this chapter as I don’t like to think about suffering. Yet, it happens to us every day.

We see it every time we turn on the TV, listen to the radio, look at social media, it is there in big and small ways. Beckoning us toseewith the eyes of our heart. There really isn’t anything we can do about suffering as it is out of our control.

As I am forced to think about it; I see suffering in three ways.

The suffering which is thrust upon us by technological advances brings an awareness of global suffering as we are connected with people all over the world. Once we know something we cannot un-know it, it stays with us, we ponder it, we agonize over it but we cannot control it or stop it.

So what are we supposed to do with it?

It puts us in a unique position, as Jesus hung on the cross, he saw the suffering, sin would unleash on the world. When we turn on the TV we see the suffering sin has unleashed on the world. We can either become desensitized to it, participate in it, rally against it or pray.

5Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. 6Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. [Philippians 4: 5-7]

There is suffering which is out of control, a medical diagnosis, a horrible accident, a natural disaster or a sudden death of a loved one. These can happen without warning and can catch us off guard. It reminds of the finiteness of life and necessity to always be prepared by saying what we need to say. Knowing this does not make our suffering any easier. Again we have a choice we can become bitter, angry, depressed or pray.

5Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. 6Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. [Philippians 4: 5-7]

The suffering that we endure just by being human and living our daily life. The suffering of an aching body, or a cold, or being misunderstood, left out, isolated and alone. We all go through these things daily in one way or another. We also endure sufferings inflicted upon us by others either by unkind words or deeds. What can we do about these types of suffering? Not much really, except pray.

5Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. 6Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. [Philippians 4: 5-7]

In the end this is all we can do!

Voted Off The Island 2016 All rights reserved.