The Beauty of Suffering - A Personal Journey
Suffering is often one of the most despised things in life and especially in Western culture. We view it as hard, inconvenient, frustrating, and a waste of time. Rarely do we view it as good. Our culture has attempted to shape our worldview into thinking that if it is not comfortable and immediately gratifying or pleasing, it must be bad. In truth, it can be extremely difficult to ever view suffering as a good thing, especially when it hits home and our own lives. At this point you may be beginning to ask me, how could you even think that suffering could be good? What good can come from it? The only reason that suffering can actually be good is because there is a perfect God who can use it for our good! Let me share a bit of my own story and journey with this. Just shy of 15 years ago I was diagnosed with a chronic degenerative muscle disorder called Becker’s Muscular Dystrophy (BMD). At only 10 years old this was an unexpected blow. At that age I didn’t really know what to think of it as I wasn’t really feeling the full effects of it at that point. Fast forward a few years and the symptoms began to settle in, and unfortunately they were here to stay. I began having much more frequent pain to the point where I was having more pain days than pain free days. As time went on, my BMD continued to progress. My pain has since become nearly constant, I have had at least 5 concussions, over 400 falls in the past five years, and several other minor injuries. I have also suffered from headaches, nerve issues, digestive issues, anxiety, and short term memory loss from the concussions. Yet, I will say this, even after all of what I wrote, I am actually very thankful for my suffering. I know you are wondering why at this point, so let me tell you and not keep you in suspense. I have seen the Lord radically and beautifully shape my character in ways that have allowed me to love more like Him, serve more like Him, and even suffer more like Him. He has used it to grow me in patience, compassion, grace, empathy, love, mercy, and so many other ways. I praise the Lord for this because He has worked out for my good what the enemy meant for evil with this terrible disease. Through this, He has grown me and matured me and helped make me into who I am! Even though the journey has been hard, I am so thankful for it because He has been with me every step of the way! I pray that this encourages you and reminds you that no matter what suffering it is, the Lord and only the Lord can work it out for our good and His glory!
“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
The Beauty of Suffering - A Personal Journey
Suffering is often one of the most despised things in life and especially in Western culture. We view it as hard, inconvenient, frustrating, and a waste of time. Rarely do we view it as good. Our culture has attempted to shape our worldview into thinking that if it is not comfortable and immediately gratifying or pleasing, it must be bad. In truth, it can be extremely difficult to ever view suffering as a good thing, especially when it hits home and our own lives. At this point you may be beginning to ask me, how could you even think that suffering could be good? What good can come from it? The only reason that suffering can actually be good is because there is a perfect God who can use it for our good! Let me share a bit of my own story and journey with this. Just shy of 15 years ago I was diagnosed with a chronic degenerative muscle disorder called Becker’s Muscular Dystrophy (BMD). At only 10 years old this was an unexpected blow. At that age I didn’t really know what to think of it as I wasn’t really feeling the full effects of it at that point. Fast forward a few years and the symptoms began to settle in, and unfortunately they were here to stay. I began having much more frequent pain to the point where I was having more pain days than pain free days. As time went on, my BMD continued to progress. My pain has since become nearly constant, I have had at least 5 concussions, over 400 falls in the past five years, and several other minor injuries. I have also suffered from headaches, nerve issues, digestive issues, anxiety, and short term memory loss from the concussions. Yet, I will say this, even after all of what I wrote, I am actually very thankful for my suffering. I know you are wondering why at this point, so let me tell you and not keep you in suspense. I have seen the Lord radically and beautifully shape my character in ways that have allowed me to love more like Him, serve more like Him, and even suffer more like Him. He has used it to grow me in patience, compassion, grace, empathy, love, mercy, and so many other ways. I praise the Lord for this because He has worked out for my good what the enemy meant for evil with this terrible disease. Through this, He has grown me and matured me and helped make me into who I am! Even though the journey has been hard, I am so thankful for it because He has been with me every step of the way! I pray that this encourages you and reminds you that no matter what suffering it is, the Lord and only the Lord can work it out for our good and His glory!
“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)