Wednesday, 08 July 2009
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Suffering well - How? The consensus appears to be...
... "Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10 -- That's it.Original note:
I've been thinking about suffering lately... I am not suffering, but many friends are suffering -- personally, spiritually, physically. "Suffering" and what that means gnaws at me also because I've been reading Thomas a Kempis' The Imitaion of Christ, and just the other night read:
"All our peace in this wretched world comes from our humble endurance of suffering and not from living a life without it. He who best knows how to suffer enjoys the greatest peace, and such a one is victor over himself, master of the world, friend of Christ, and heir of heaven."
"He who best knows how to suffer" -- that's the part that hit me! It seems as if Kempis' statement has a similar meaning to "He who best know how to play the game enjoys the greatest success" -- but I stumble on this a bit. I can applaud someone's "great game" and cheer them to victory -- do we approach suffering the same way? What does "knows how to suffer" really mean? I've heard various comments on suffering lately -- too many composed of Christian mumbo-jumbo, intellectual mumbo-jumbo, or some combination of both.
Precisely and concisely (as I always encouraged my students), what does this mean -- "to know how to suffer" or to suffer well -- what does that look like?
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Comments (5)
I'm glad you titled this, "suffering well". We all suffer at one time or another, and in varying degrees, but we do not all suffer well. i actually have taken much comfort from Job's wife. She did not begin well, but Job's rebuke to her is timely. HOwever, the part I like best is when he says, "YOU speak as the foolish women..." He was reminding her to stop acting like a foolish woman, and let God be God.
Here's another quizzical statement from a hymn, the hymn "How Firm a Foundation". It says, "and sanctify to thee thy deepest distress. I also have been helped by considering that my deepest distresses are set apart special for me, by my good Heavenly Father to conform me to the image of His Son. (Romans 8:28 AND 29)
Always enjoy reading your posts. Have a very good day.
I'd like to address your question about suffering. Many who know what I am going through with cancer and chemo (which will end with surgery and radiation treatments) consider me to be in a pitiful state and undergoing horrible times - an "ordeal," as some put it.
My life isn't pleasant, nor is this a situation I would have chosen for myself, but I am embroiled in a cancer battle - like it or not.
My first reaction upon hearing, "The tumor is cancer," was, "Okay God, here we go - my hand in yours," and that reaction of mine brought me immediate comfort. Not tears. Not fear.
I have had many side effects from chemo. Some were unexpected and many of the expected were never an issue. Have I suffered? I suppose I have.
Have I had sleepless nights due to the chemo drugs they give me, and have I had pain due to the same drugs? Absolutely.
Has God left me? No.
Have I ever questioned Him and asked, "Why me, God?" No.
Am I comforted by His presence? Absolutely and always.
Does His presence that I feel (closer than ever right now) mean I am suffering well? It might. I don't feel I'm suffering. What I feel is God's presence EVERY SECOND OF MY LIFE - and for that, I'm grateful.
Do I "know how to suffer" and am I "suffering well" ???? Is this what it looks like? Maybe. I'm not in denial about my situation, but I don't feel miserable or like I'm suffering some horrible lot that has been cast my way.
I *feel like* I'm going through something with God - not alone, not ever.
I don't feel like I'll really know the answer to this question until I'm very old....and my race is almost done. Right now the only thing I know is you have to cling to Him in the midst of it.
WOW. deep. provoking. more people should consider this question....instead of blaming others. why should we not suffer when we try to Imitate Christ? He suffered with so much...what makes us think we won't? i have to think about this some more? you are amazing.
great post as it provokes much thought!