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And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. [Romans 5:3-4 HCSB]
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Affliction
I recently taught about affliction and the blessings the Sovereign Lord embeds in them. In response I received a lot of fascinating mail. Here are a few of the insightful notes: Christlikeness Pastor Wayne, I am floored at the reality – which I have experienced many times – that in life’s pains we are shaped to better resemble Jesus. Paul’s reminder in Philippians 3:10-11 always motivates me, “My goal is to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, assuming that I will somehow reach the resurrection from among the dead.” [HCSB WB note; the “assuming” in verse 11 is a first class condition in Greek, meaning it’s something that is certain.] Trusted gardener Wayne, Amy Carmichael referring to her suffering in India thusly, “What a prodigal waste it appears to see scattered on the floor the bright green leaves and the bare stem bleeding in a hundred places from the sharp knife. But with a tried and trusted husbandman there is not a random stroke in it all, nothing cut away which it would not have been a loss to keep and gain to lose.” Think it through Wayne, I have lots of thoughts on this topic! The question “How can a good God can allow suffering?” presupposes three things and sets one condition for the debate. The condition inherent in the question is that God exists, is good, and is almighty (only an almighty God could allow or prevent suffering). The asker is attempting to invalidate this condition by asking about suffering. But the presuppositions must be exposed. First, the question assumes that the asker has a better innate sense of good and justice than a good and almighty God. That’s pretty bold. Secondly, it assumes that the asker has the omniscience to know what is the greatest possible good. That’s brazen. If we stop right there, the question itself, consciously or not, has at its root an enormous arrogance and self-worship. But there is one more presupposition. The question assumes that a life free of suffering is better for every human than a life with suffering. That is simply childish thinking. What benefit would there be from an endless sunny day? What advantage could there possibly be of no night, no rain, no cold? Even popular psychology understands this at some level. “No pain, no gain.” “The greatest lessons come when we fail.” “Winning teaches us nothing, but losing can elicit great wisdom.” The essence of these sentiments is incompatible with the question, “How can a good God allow suffering?” For those who deny God, suffering only magnifies despair, because those who believe that the material world is all that exists worship and hope for nothing greater than the comforts of this life. But the Christian understands that such a materialistic worldview is spiritual deception. “For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and the pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world” (1 John 2:16 ESV). For the Christian, suffering teaches us to not trust the things of this world, to magnify our hope in God, and to daily live out our joy—namely, that Christ is much greater than this present darkness, which is so quickly passing away! Hope Pastor Wayne, at first I wanted to write and ask how suffering could possibly cause hope. Then, as I thought about it, I began to see some glimpses of how that can be. I understand a bit of the hope founded in eternal reality – something brought to the fore when people are forced to think beyond today. There is a hopefulness when I know that I am being shaped, even if the shaping hurts. It’s even hope producing that God is big enough to handle my complaints and accessible enough that He welcomes them. |