Could your suffering have a meaning to it?
I want to use an excerpt from Viktor E. Frankel's book which is a great read, "Man's Search For Meaning." As did Mr. Frankel in his book, let me make it clear from the start that in no way is suffering necessary to find meaning. He said, "I only insist that meaning is possible even in spite of suffering-provided, certainly, that the suffering is unavoidable." The following is that excerpt I would like to draw from:
The Meaning of Suffering
We must never forget that we may also find meaning in life even when confronted with a hopeless situation, when facing a fate that cannot be changed. For what then matters is to bear witness to the uniquely human potential at its best, which is to transform a personal tragedy into a triumph, to turn one's predicament into a human achievement. When we are no longer able to change a situation- just think of an incurable disease such as inoperable cancer-we are challenged to change ourselves.
Let me cite a clear-cut example: Once, and elderly general practitioner consulted me because of his severe depression. he could not overcome the loss of his wife who had died two years before and whom he had loved above all else. Now, how could I help him? What should I tell him? Well, I refrained from telling him anything but instead confronted him with the question, "What would have happened, Doctor, if you had died first, and your wife would have had to survive you?" "Oh," he said, "for her this would have been terrible; how she would have suffered!" Whereupon I replied, "You see, Doctor, such a suffering has been spared her, and it was you who have spared her this suffering-to be sure, at the price that now you have to survive and mourn her." He said no word but shook my hand and calmly left my office. In some way, suffering ceases to be suffering at the moment it finds a meaning, such as the meaning of sacrifice. (Man's Search for Meaning, pg. 112-113)
Upon reading these two paragraphs of Mr. Frankel's book, these scriptures came to my mind:
John 18:37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.
Jesus came for a reason, for a cause!
Matthew 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins
He came for a cause, Matthew 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins, yet there was suffering involved.
1Peter 2:22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
1Peter 2:23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
1Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
1Peter 2:25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
Christ sufferings were for a cause, for our redemption. So that we could have new life. He shed his blood so that we could have remission of sins though baptism in his name. He died that we might have life. He gave us an example to follow. It would take a whole another blog to cover that. But his death, burial, and resurrection gave us an example of our new birth experience that we must have!
But the sufferings he faced were for a reason, but there was purpose in what he was doing. Love for us!
Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
See sometimes we have to see the silver lining and unsterstand there may be a cause in our affliction, a meaning in our suffering. Consider:
It may be God's way of awakening you
Psalms 119:67
Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.
It may be Eternally weighty for you
2Corinthians 4:17
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
It may be a chastening from the Lord that you may yield fruit of righteousness.
Hebrews 12:11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. Maybe it is for our refining
Isasish 48:10 Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.
1Peter 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: You can find a meaning in your suffering, and it can help you to see the big picture. To understand that though it all you are becoming stronger, that your faithis being built. Now if you are outisde the will of God, and not following him then your suffering may be self inflicted, but if you are walking after the Spirit of God then you just need to consider Jesus who for the JOY set before hiim endured the cross. See the JOY at the end of all your sufferings, and understand that God is always for you.
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Understand that whatever takes place in this life, you may lose everything the world has, but if you gain your soul that is what matters! Dont let the circumstances of life rob you of your faith. Keep the faith though them, and on the other side see that your faith is that much stronger. What sight may see as suffering, faith will see as a CAUSE!
2Corinthians 4:16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
2Corinthians 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
2Corinthians 4:18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
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