Suffering

It seems like we have run into many situations lately where people are dealing with pain and suffering. Like the couple we met whose child died this summer while in childbirth. “Why?!” she is asking. “Why did this happen?” And then she has to deal with a best friend whose child was born and is healthy. Her anger boils over sometimes.

In reading Hebrews over and over, I am reminded that suffering comes as no surprise to God. Jesus “had to be made like his brothers in every way.” He had to suffer so that he could be like us – a people who are well acquainted with suffering. And through the suffering, Jesus was “made perfect.” (Go figure that one out!)

Here’s an interesting story. In Baltimore, 76% of the male African American population do not graduate from High School. So, they started this program where a handful of carefully selected boys get to go to a special boarding school for 7th and 8th grade. The catch is that the boarding school is in Africa.

It was interesting to watch a documentary on the Baraka school. (The Baraka Boys) When the boys showed up for school, they had continual problems with fighting, anger at how difficult the school was, etc. As I watched the movie, I pondered the fact that from my perspective, they were getting an incredible deal. Many people were investing their entire lives in to helping those boys succeed. Lots of money had also been spent on their success. And on top of that, they were in Africa – what an opportunity. But they kept complaining.

What a jolt I received when I realized that this is how I respond to suffering. God has this incredible experience for me to learn and grow through, and instead of embracing it and growing through it – I run. I complain, I pray, I beg for God to take the hard stuff away. The whole time God is saying, “I know this isn’t easy. I know it hurts. But when you experience what I am trying to teach you, you will have grown into a better person. Won’t you stick it out and experience this blessing?”

Yes, Lord.