If we think we are going to get through life without suffering, we are in for a rude awakening; this way of thinking creates even more problems. We may repeatedly say that life is not supposed to be about suffering; but be sure, it will not change what life will dump into our laps. To take that “head in the sand” position takes us in a direction away from growth and health. We miss the normal joys of life while we are protesting; we add complaints instead of experiencing strength. God can work good out of our pain. We add to our sufferings anxiety while trying to wish it away. We walk around the suffering of Christ who took on human suffering by His incarnate love for us. We may look at the present moment and never see the big picture. Our suffering can shape us; what we have gone through makes us who we are. No, we need not go looking for suffering; it will find us. When it does, know that the Suffering Servant is our Companion through it all.
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.” (Romans 8:18, 24-25 NASB)
