Suffering Well

Last week I preached the funeral of a church member and friend in whcih I made the statement that Craig knew how to “suffer well.” For many this seems like a strange statement. For the believer, this is a view of life we understand. We have watched many dear friends at our church suffer well recently; individuals suffering with terminal illnesses; families who have lost loved ones to disease; individuals who in desperate times of need have trusted God and demonstrated incredible faith and perseverance. These all understand that the sovereign God reigns over all things and makes no mistakes.
I recently attended the memorial service of a long-time friend who died of cancer. His family members spoke of how well he lived and how well he endured the suffering God allowed in his life. He lived well and he died well.
Our small group is reading the book, Humility: True Greatness, by C.J. Mahaney. Chapter 11 in entitled, “Responding Humbly to Trials.” Mahaney speaks of the fact that trials and suffering are inevitable. We will all suffer. How will we handle this suffering? When pain grips our bodies; when relationships go sour; when needs are increasing rather than decreasing, how will we respond? What will others learn about our faith in those crucial moments of our lives?
Mahaney exhorts first us to practice God-centered prayer. We must be passionate about God himself and his glory, even in the midst of suffering. Secondly, we should focus on salvation rather than on suffering. By his mercy, God sent his Son into the world to die for our sins. We should make so much God’s redeeming grace. Thirdly, wait quietly for the Lord. What is he doing? What is he teaching me? How is he conforming me to the image of Christ through my experiences? Finally, humbly rejoice. James reminds us that we are to consider it all joy…when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness (James 1:2-3).
We do not take our trials and suffering lightly, nor that of others. We rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep (Romans 12:14). We do trust God will do his sanctifying work in all our lives through the trails we experience.