Grief Exposes Our Faith

“God has not been trying an experiment on my faith or love in order to find out their quality. He knew it already. It was I who didn’t. In this trial He makes us occupy the dock, the witness box, and the bench all at once. He always knew that my temple was a house of cards. His only way of making me realize the fact was to knock it down.” 

~ C.S. Lewis, written through his grief after his wife Joy's death

We've begun a study in our women's Sunday School class on 1 Peter, and yesterday the discussion was on trials and the testing of our faith. As was pointed out, trials are varied for each of us in our own unique situations and life experiences. We each have our own. We all experience grief, sorrow, suffering at some time. It is inevitably universal.

Perhaps you can relate to the thought C.S. Lewis expressed. Sometimes suffering finds us as laws of nature unfold. There is much sorrow and suffering in our world that is also the result of its brokenness and sinfulness. Often it is not our own sinfulness, but we are sometimes the target, or we are impacted by its ricochet.

How do we respond to the suffering? What good can come from our trials and sorrows and grief? They all show us if our faith in Jesus Christ is genuine, for trials always test our faith. Even though trials may be outside of us, they test what is inside of us. God already knows whether or not our faith in Him is genuine, but the trials and sufferings of life let us know for ourselves of its certainty.

And we are thankful that He sent the Comforter when Jesus went back to heaven, for He is the one who knows how to comfort in all our trials and grief.

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls (1 Peter 1:6-9).

A Thought on Suffering

A comment was made in class discussion forum today that many struggle with God's goodness in the face of their suffering. I offered a few thoughts in that regard....

Sometimes the suffering is so great, and our minds are so bewildered, that we struggle with making any kind of sense as to how it squares with God's goodness. And sometimes we tend to do the defining of what God's goodness is and means...to us. This is one area where I think the '5 love languages' have lead us astray. We tend to interpret God's goodness and love toward us with how we want to be shown that love, and whether or not we'll accept it as such.

I think suffering is a watershed experience. What has gone on before in our heart and mind about God has much to do with how we respond/react to it. It's much to our benefit to understand suffering before it befalls us. But then again, sometimes we have no inclination that we need to know.

I understood just enough to know that in my own "momentary affliction," I was wrestling with God. The one thing that I understood was that I didn't understand. It's more difficult for those who shadowbox their misunderstandings. I think some sufferings make us angry and hurt so deeply because they are so painful, and we despise them. It is only God who can mend a broken heart. I am so very thankful that He pulled me closer and closer to Himself as I was searching for reality.

I think the one thing that I did know and that kept me hopeful was that God is love. That is the first thing children learn about God, if they learn about Him. For those of you who have children, bless and benefit them with an understanding of God's great love. They will need it when it is their turn to face suffering. I couldn't get away from that truth, even though I didn't understand how it fit. It took me a few years to see more clearly, but I understand so much more about God in the aftermath.

So very thankful that God continues to redeem and rescue!

Image ~ The Sick Girl, Michael Ancher 1849-1927

public domain via Wikimedia Commons

A Hope That Doesn't Disappoint

Reading through Romans and coming to chapter 5 today, which reminds us that we have peace with God through Jesus Christ. It is through faith in Him that we receive grace upon grace.

As I read, my thoughts go to those in our church family who are suffering. Some with illnesses, some with recent losses of loved ones. Without the peace of God, suffering is a terrible thing to face, yet God's grace enables us to endure and even to exult in our tribulations. Those without faith in God know little of His love and care. One of the blessings of knowing God and being loved through His grace is that we know that He works all things for our good. Even through the suffering and tribulation.

He tells us in His Word that the tribulations we face ultimately bring hope because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit. It is His Spirit that enables us to persevere, to find grace upon grace, to be carried and lifted up by His abundant love.

And so, as His children, we rest in His everlasting arms. Resting, knowing the hope that does not disappoint. Our final hope will find us Homeward. I hope to see you there, dear one, as every tear is wiped away and we exult in past tribulations where hope set us free.

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.  (Roman 5:1-5)

Image via pixabay 

Sunday Ponderings ~ Psalm 119 on Suffering

My ponderings today come from Psalm 119, verses 65-72, brought to mind by our worship service this morning.

65 You have dealt well with Your servant, O LORD, according to Your word. 66 Teach me good discernment and knowledge, For I believe in Your commandments. 67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep Your word. 68 You are good and do good; Teach me Your statutes. 69 The arrogant have forged a lie against me; With all my heart I will observe Your precepts. 70 Their heart is covered with fat, But I delight in Your law. 71 It is good for me that I was afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes. 72 The law of Your mouth is better to me Than thousands of gold and silver pieces.  

The theme of God's Word runs throughout this Psalm, and this stanza has to do with suffering relative to God's Word in a particular way. But suffering isn't the most frequently used word here besides references to God's Word. We see the word good/well used more often than the word suffering. The Psalmist begins the stanza with this thought: You have dealt well with Your servant, O LORD, according to Your word (v. 65). He understands God's goodness, and this is his interpreting factor for his sufferings. You are good and do good (v. 68); It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I may learn your statutes (v. 71).

Probably most of us struggle with interpreting our sufferings in the light of God's goodness, but verse 72 holds the key to why the psalmist saw God's goodness preeminent in his sufferings. The law of Your mouth is better to me Than thousands of gold and silver pieces.  It holds the key for our own sufferings as well. When we know God through His Word, we learn to know His inherent goodness, and that goodness is expressed in all He sends to us or allows to reach us. He is good and does all things well.

The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

Psalm 119:72 

Painting ~ Endymion, John William Godward

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