Romans 8:18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

This is a verse I have quoted to others many times, but when my wife has so many painful medical challenges it really comes home. This isn’t the only place Paul says something like this, (2 Corinthians 4:17) and Peter hit the same note. (1 Peter 1:6-9) Actually the New Testament talks a good bit about suffering, though we don’t like to think about it. Indeed, some preachers have gotten rich telling people faith is a way out of suffering, but I don’t like to think about the suffering that awaits them! The fact of the matter is, we live in a fallen world, and that includes all sorts of suffering, just as Jesus said. (John 16:33) The good news is, what awaits those who commit to Jesus as Lord is so much better that it makes all our suffering fade to insignificance. As it says in Hebrews, we need to be like Jesus, “who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2) We often don’t know the why of our present suffering, but if by faith we can take hold of what is prepared for us, we are able to get through whatever we are experiencing now. This is not at all to say that there aren’t wonderful things in this present life, or that God doesn’t delight to do good things for His children. (Luke 12:32) Rather, it is to say with Peter, “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.” (1 Peter 4:12-13)

Seeing what my wife is going through, I am ashamed that I complain at being bitten by mosquitoes (which is happening even as I write)! I deal with people all the time who hardly know how to stand up under inconveniences, thinking in all honesty that they are suffering, when they haven’t tasted real suffering at all. They are as crippled emotionally as if they had a severe medical handicap, when it is all a lie of the devil. I am not to make light of genuine suffering, but sometimes the most loving thing I can do is to help people get some perspective so that they will realize they aren’t suffering at all. I am as prone to fall into that trap as anyone, getting upset over such things as computer problems instead of rejoicing that I have multiple computers with which to work and relax. I need to take Hebrews 12 fully to heart, rejoicing that God considers me worth polishing, even when the process is painful. I am to work to alleviate suffering as much as possible in the lives of those around me, but at the same time I am to remember that, as Paul said, the worst this life can dump on us is insignificant compared with the glory of what God has prepared for us.

Father, I would rather have learned about suffering through my own than through Cathy’s, but thank You for the lesson anyway. Help me be the help I should be to her, so that she may not have any unnecessary suffering. Thank You for my mother, who had the insight to pray about “unnecessary suffering.” My I not “kick against the goads,” (Acts 26:14) but rest, relax, and rejoice in You, for the blessing of many and for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!