On the Topic of Suffering

A discussion on suffering may have many facets.

Before continuing, take a minute to contemplate times in your life when you were keenly aware of your own suffering – possibly beyond the things that may cause us sadness, such as the death of a loved one – but OTHER aspects of your life that seem as if exists keenly as “Your Own Suffering” or “Your own cross to bear”. Possibly some suffering condition that you felt was uniquely yours and otherwise not so commonly experienced by others. 

With regards to the topic of suffering and from a spiritual perspective, we can begin naturally with the life of Jesus the Christ:

We know that from his very first days on earth that the baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph suffered, chased from their homeland to flee King Herod - who had placed a bounty on the life of the male children born in that time. (Matt2:13) In a natural sense, we see that this suffering was beyond his control. 

Now with regard to this episode, I want to believe, he and his family made the best of things while in Egypt. Of course, they had to endure and survive – But without too much of a stretch of imagination, it’s even possible, that Mary gave birth to one or more of Jesus’ siblings in Egypt - while in exile, away from the extended family they left behind. So right from birth – Our savior was chased from his homeland. And as such, was made to be homeless.

Jesus suffered with homelessness and exile.

While in the wilderness, you may also conclude Jesus was tempted with possessions, power, prestige, riches and safe to say - all the pleasures that accompany such things. (Matt4:1)

Jesus suffered the great temptations of all humankind.

While performing his ministry, Jesus was often openly criticized, ridiculed, rejected, and abandoned by those who had once walked alongside him. In one scripture reference, the crowds became so angered they took hold of him and even attempted to throw him over a cliff!

Jesus suffered with rejection by those he cared for and was called to preach to. (Matt13:53)

Consider also, Jesus potentially feeling the doubt and misunderstanding from others while in the temple he reads of the prophet Isaiah foretelling his great mission, “The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach the good news…” (Luke 4:17) And the response is definately something other than celebration.

Possible, Jesus struggles with lack of deep understanding of his greater purpose by the very people closest to him when he asks the disciples, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”. “But who do you say I am?” Notice, scripture records only one of the twelve as having a response. (Matt16:13)

Jesus suffered by being misunderstood and even doubted by others in light of a purpose he was deeply called to do and represented his life's work.

Jesus was appropriately following his calling, remaining true to the thing he was called to do - a calling by God. And in the process, causing no intentional harm to any others or demanding anything from others. Living with with the purest of heart – a heart like God. Yet, he was called a "follower of the devil," by the same people he was trying to reach. (Matt12:24) And at his “mock trial”, Jesus experiences what it is to be falsely accused by the chief priests and elders. (Matt26:59)

Jesus suffered from being misidentified and wrongly accused of a crime he was innocent of.

Another story thread from scripture: John the Baptist, a cousin of Jesus, was his acquaintance and we could make the presumption that Jesus cared for John. We know their mothers knew each other – Elizabeth and Mary, and possible these two young men had crossed paths at some time – maybe family celebrations, in town, at school. We should consider, John the Baptist wasn’t the man described with the camel hair clothing his entire life – he was a boy at one time after all…Well, sadly, John, friend of Jesus, was brutally murdered while in prison – beheaded actually. And in so, murdered in the most grotesque way. Jesus (again in a natural sense) had no control over this. And surely he agonized upon hearing the news of John. (Matt14:12)

Jesus suffered with the loss of a loved one, a family member, killed in a most brutal way.

Scripture tells us that the disciple Judas pilfered and stole money from the treasuryof the monies collected and kept for the work of the ministry - Jesus’ ministry! The profound work he was to do. Funds that were to provide for those disciple whom had entrusted their lives to him and who had left their own means of gainful employment and finances to follow him. Maybe you can imagine a friend, or companion, you’ve shared a couple years with, whom you even entrusted your car or your home or something else of some value to you with – only to have them break the trust.

Jesus knew what it feels like to be robbed and stolen from.

The instances of pain and suffering we can observe from the writings about Jesus continue:

This particular instance may hit home for many of us. Jesus suffers here with the disappointment and frustration we all sometimes feel when the people closest to us can’t fulfill our wishes or don’t really demonstrate love toward us "as we would like". For Jesus, in his case, MUCH MORE than for us when someone forgets to do the dishes or forgets its our birthday or to repay a small debt; For Jesus, it was while he waited for his capture – to be tortured and crucified, left all alone, while the disciples slept in the garden – even after he asked them repeatedly to wait with him!

Jesus suffered from being abandoned by those closest to him.

How often have we felt all alone during trials? Even when we have asked others to pray for us or otherwise expressed to them the pain we feel or the fear we have. (Matt26:45)

Ever have a friend that you feel betrays you somehow? Possibly through an unkind word behind your back, or otherwise betraying your trust or your friendship in some other way. For Jesus, betrayal comes in a much bigger serving – In his case, his own disciple, betrays him to those who capture, torture and kill him through crucifixion.

Jesus suffers with the deepest level of betrayal by Judas. (Matt26:47)

And although, Jesus knew the words before they were ever spoken, Jesus still suffers with betrayal by words spoken from Peter who says, “I never knew him!”. (Matt26:69)

Jesus is spat upon! Talk about suffering?! This and only a select few other deeds done by others exist as most multimately degrading. (Matt27:30)

Jesus suffers extreme physical pain through relentless beating – by trained soldiers nevertheless - and his ultimate suffering thru crucifixion. Jesus suffered extreme, physical pain. (Matt27:27/Matt27:45)

Let us pause and look to a very particular perspective that exists that may serve us in connecting concepts of suffering and adversity to concepts of God and personal Spirituality:

In Matthew 16:21, Jesus begins to openly discuss the sufferings he must endure to his followers. And it is in this passage that Peter pulls Jesus aside and makes it clear that this doesn’t have to be so – as if there is some way that Jesus can avoid this pain and suffering – maybe Peter’s words could have been something like, “Jesus, you don’t have to go through all that if you choose not to since you’re blessed, you’re anointed!” 

Now, although we can separate these specific sufferings Jesus was describing from our own – after all, HIS sufferings we may ascribe to the fulfilling of prophecy – But nevertheless, we must note, that Jesus says to Peter, 

“You are not mindful of the things of God – But the things of men.” 

So, could Jesus be saying that suffering is “a thing of God”…? And possibly, seeking to “avoid suffering” is not mindful of the “things of God”…?

Peter – who was with Jesus - validates the existence of these sufferings as he refers to himself as  “a witness of the sufferings of Christ”. But it’s noteworthy that he makes a point to follow immediately with “and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed”. Amen. (1Pet5)

So in this sense – because there are many facets as I have suggested – we see that as a follower of Jesus, and as those who model their life after the model set by Jesus, who are “we” to be without suffering? And to that end – as followers of God - Jesus himself, as I mentioned, even suggests that God and suffering have a connection of sorts.

One simple conclusion for the suffering described, and for the existence of suffering may be found in these words from Paul:

  3 “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. 4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 5 For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ”. (2Cor1)

And in the same manner that Paul speaks of, I have concluded the following;

Some of us working through our religious "upbringing" toward our "spiritual growth" are given to the idea that “suffering” is used in the Bible only as a result of a "religious testimony of Jesus Christ." But the essence of the text is the idea of SUFFERING. Period. Not for the “sake of the gospel” as the pulpit is so quick to suggest – but for the sake of our deep, spiritual growth. 

What greater word picture than the phrase, “Take up your cross daily”. Do you think this is limited to just the suffering one may endure for the sake of their faith and religious beliefs? 

Or can it be what we endure suffering simply as a part of life. A very NORMAL part of life…

Think about it - Even in the most blessed event of life that can  occur – from the birth of a beloved child – is there not equally tremendous pain for the woman?!

We can conclude from scripture, much of our spiritual growth occurs “outside” of that time set aside for religious activities such as worship, study and church. Although many believe these activities have an intent to build us up in our faith or to teach us, they are merely as a practice room for the musician, a training ring for the boxer, or a flight simulator for the pilot.

The sufferings of Life - AS IT IS LIVED AND EXPERIENCED, is the great educator and guide for our Spiritual Growth.

These activities are not really as tangible a learning guide as when we endure our own suffering… 

To emphasize - Where our spiritual growth occurs is often in our suffering – not all of our spiritual growth - but surely a great deal of it. In fact, I would say, that the more we seek to avoid and resist the pain and suffering that life brings, the more we hinder our own spiritual growth as followers of the Christ - AND even as a member of the human race for that matter.

It’s important to note, that for this process of learning from adversity and suffering to work, it requires the act of "reflection." Whether by meditation or some act of “intentional, contemplative act.” And in that place of quiet and solitude, allowing the Holy Spirit within to reveal the deeper meanings or takeaways that exist to serve us "going forward". Those lessons, it should be noted, may also change or even expand over time depending on the original impact or impression they left.

The wisdom and spiritual Light we stand to gain from this intentional response “should” result in our transformation, toward greater empathy for others, genuine humility, and deep personal and spiritual growth. And possibly, provide a greater level of peace, and patience should we encounter any future suffering.

To this end ...

• How much more sensitive do we become to those who have lost a loved one until we ourselves have lost a loved one close to us?

• How much more compassionate do we become to those who have little money until we ourselves experience some sort of financial loss?

• How much more loving of others do we become to those who are struggling with issues of sexual orientation, than when we ourselves have a family member whom we love who also has a similar struggle?

• How much more caring do we become to those who are homeless than if we ourselves have experienced a precarious living arrangement?

• How much less do we judge another who is divorced than when we ourselves are suffering with a relationship with a spouse?

• How much more caring do we become to others who are out of work until when we ourselves had lost our source of income?

• How much more compassionate do we become to those who suffer infirmity than when we ourselves are given over to an illness.

When we reflect on our own sufferings that I mentioned at the beginning of this writing - that while we are miserable as it was occurring, after it passes from us, and as you have come to terms with it, that NOW we see that we’ve changed as a result – very possibly for the better! Growing in a greater sense of “spirituality” and “spiritual maturity”. And, with a greater knowledge, sensitivity, empathy and understanding of the plight of others.

In closing, I am often surprised with others who consistently lament the things that have gone wrong (in their eyes) in their life. Oh and believe me - naturally, I have often given myself over to self-pity, sorrow and frustration to painful aspects of my own life – and even choose to continue to carry around a couple of my most prized painful events to this day!! 

But, when I am true to myself, and can quiet the angry voices inside and sometimes when I have allowed the tears to cease – I can usually see a faint light take form out of the darkness that I have felt as a result of my pain. And in that light, see with greater clarity SOME ASPECT of spiritual growth – maybe small – maybe quite large. Yet some remnant of character that resonates within me NOW in a way that PREVIOUSLY I was oblivious to, or indifferent toward or responded to in an uncaring manner.

In similar fashion, and to show the unity of our shared human experience, these words of Buddhist teaching also shed a great light on these concepts:

“A man struggling for existence will naturally look for something of value. 

There are two ways of looking – a right way and a wrong way. 

If he looks in the WRONG way he recognizes that sickness, old age and death are unavoidable, BUT he seeks the opposite.

If he looks in the RIGHT way he recognizes the true nature of sickness, old age and death, BUT instead he searches for meaning that transcends all human sufferings.

So, for consideration, as wisdom for when we comfort others and as a place of acceptance within ourselves for OUR OWN suffering, let us consider:

If I am to be a “minister of the Good News of the Gospel” or ideally a "Self Realized Spiritual Being”, how can I really do so, unless I myself, have also experienced and shared in elements of life that result in suffering?

It’s important to note, that for this process of learning from adversity and suffering to work, it requires the act of "reflection." Whether by meditation or some act of “intentional, contemplative act.” And in that place of quiet and solitude, allowing the Holy Spirit within to reveal the deeper meanings or takeaways that exist to serve us "going forward". Those lessons, it should be noted, may also change or even expand over time depending on the original impact or impression they left.

The wisdom and spiritual Light we stand to gain from this intentional response “should” result in our transformation, toward greater empathy for others, gained genuine humility, and deep personal and spiritual growth. And a greater level of peace, patience and confidence should we - or as we - encounter suffering in our future.