If To Be Christian Is To Suffer, Where Do You Find Rest?
"I looked... for comforters, but I found none." (Psalm 69)
As a Christian, I know that my faith cannot be separated from suffering. While we all suffer in life, there is a different dimension to suffering in the light of faith.
After all, it is through suffering that Jesus saved us. And no life of holiness can ever be achieved without suffering.
But there are times when you’re hurting so badly that you also want some relief from your pain. There are times when you feel that you have reached your limits and you cry out to heaven asking for any help God can send your way.
And I think it isn’t wrong to acknowledge our weaknesses. It isn’t wrong to present our misery to God.
To tell a suffering person to just bear it and to suffer more because that’s what every good Christian should be doing is to be callous. It is being cruel.
Christianity includes suffering, but it also includes above all, charity. And love is something that desires to relieve the suffering of our fellowmen.
I hope we do not forget this dimension of love. For even as we try to be holy and to carry our crosses, we should never forget to be helpful and kind.
If we are no longer touched by the suffering of others, where then would be our Christian compassion? How could we love like Jesus Christ?
Tell Me That Christianity Is More Than Suffering
Tell me that Christianity
is not all about suffering.
Tell me that there is more to the Christian life
than making a sacrifice,
being a martyr and being sad.
Yes, I know that all these thing are needed.
I know that true love is proven true by fire.
But tell me that there is also rest and hope and healing.
Tell me that being Christian also means
being more happy than I could ever be otherwise.
For there are many people who already suffer.
People who are sick and weary
and are just about to lose their minds.
What then would they find if they meet Jesus?
What more suffering would be required?
I hope that somehow, you can tell me
about the man who fed the hungry.
The God who healed the lame and blind.
I hope you can tell me about His mercy.
And about His love that is gentle, pure and kind.
You may also want to read: “Is Christianity All About Suffering?”
Do you have any questions to God? You may want to take a look at my book “Questions to God” — click here.
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