The Slow Perfectionist

Christian Suffering

People may think that Christians perceive themselves to have no trouble; that once a person “gets saved,” life all falls into place. Where once there was sin, new life is birthed. Where once there was indecision and angst, now grows decisiveness and peace. Where once there was suffering and sickness, now there’s freedom and health. All those things are true, sometimes.

Christians are promised suffering, but the modern American church has no clue how to suffer well. Jesus promised that “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). In the Bible we read stories of people rejoicing at being persecuted for their faith. They were maligned, beaten, thrown in jail, flogged, murdered, put on trial, shipwrecked, stoned, even “sawed in two” (Hebrews 11:36), and they loved it. “Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection” (Hebrews 11:35). When Paul and Silas were put in jail, “[a]bout midnight [they] were praying and singing hymns to God” (Acts 16:25). They rejoiced not because they were masochists, but because they wanted to fellowship in Christ’s sufferings and become closer to him through it. These heroes of the faith suffered with style, with grace and beauty. Why don’t we do that?

In the past year and four months since we got married my husband and I have been on quite a journey. For us that fabled first year of marital bliss and delight has been filled with unexplained suffering. Seven moves, three states, four+ jobs, and innumerable illnesses later, we are settled in our home in South Carolina, trying to make sense of it all. Have we been persecuted for our faith? Not in the normal sense, no. But we have been under tremendous spiritual attack, and we have not suffered well. At least I haven’t.

I used to believe that if I did what I was supposed to–had a dynamic growing relationship with Jesus that bore good fruit–God would reward me with a happy life, full of prosperity and blessing. There would be no sickness, no financial hardship, no real difficulty. I have come to believe that that is just not true. But rather, if I do what I am supposed to, God will reward me with himself. Happiness, prosperity, and blessing are icing. But there will be sickness, financial hardship, and many other difficulties. I don’t know what my life is going to look like. And somehow suffering brings me closer to God. Right now I don’t like that truth, but I believe deep down that it is true. I’m still battling with almost monthly illness, and I don’t know when that is going to stop. But I believe that Jesus has told me he IS healing me, and past experience tells me that not all healing is instantaneous. Sometimes it takes time. So I wait. And I pray that I learn to suffer well. And I pray for healing.

This is how Jesus suffered and was victorious.

Faith, Life | February 12th, 2009