Suffering a Positive
It's not often that we see Parliament united, with government and opposition members agreeing with one another. Strange as it may seem, it does happen on occasions - when a former leading Parliamentarian dies - both sides express their condolences to the family, and speak about the great work that he or she had done while in Parliament. And of course we all know one issue on which they will always be united, and that is of course a raise in their pay and allowances.
Some time back. I read about the United States Congress also being totally united. No one throwing insults across the floor, no one-upmanship. There were even tears of compassion from some usually tough opponents. And what was the cause of this outburst of unity and compassion? In one word - Gabby! It had been just over a year since Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was gunned down in a Tucson, Arizona mall. The head wound she received threatened to end her life, and at best, to leave her severely handicapped. And a little over a year after the shooting, she made her way to the floor of the House of Representatives to announce her resignation, for now, so she could concentrate on her continuing recovery.
So for a few rare moments, there was peace on that usually fierce political battlefield. The tumult turned to tears, and there was heard a heartfelt, united tribute to a woman whose courage everyone could agree on. One Congresswoman, who is the outspoken head of her party's national committee, and well known for her stinging attacks against her parliamentarian opponents, struggled to get through her emotional remarks in regard to Gabby's courage. She was supported by speeches from both sides of Congress. The US citizens saw what the amazing power of suffering can do - to soften hearts, to unify, and to clarify what really matters in life.
That's an important lesson to remember, especially if you're the one who's wounded and hurting and struggling right now. Of course you'd rather be healthy, or running full speed, or living without the pain or the limitation. But somehow it's our suffering that teaches us the most important lessons in life, and also puts us in the best position to be of help to others who are suffering and going through difficulties. The world looks at suffering as a negative, but the Bible teaches that suffering is in effect a positive, a powerful blessing for good.
Just look at Jesus. We love His miracles, we live His teachings. But it's His Cross that is, in Charles Spurgeon's word, "that magnificent magnet". In John 12:32, Jesus, speaking of His death says, "When I am lifted up...I will draw all men to Myself." Would suffering and death "draw " people? Now it is true that there are some who will go to great lengths to rubbish the suffering and death of Christ. They will have nothing to do with this "blood-thirsty" religion. How sad that they are missing out on the many positive blessings that flow from Christ's suffering and death.
But it's true. Many people, right through the ages, and millions even today, are "drawn to Christ because of His suffering." It doesn't matter where in this world you go, the Cross of Christ crosses every culture. Rich or poor, old or young, educated or unschooled, powerful or powerless, people from every area of life and the world, come to understand that Christ's suffering and death have done something eternally wonderful for them: by believing on the Lord Jesus Christ their sins are forgiven and they have the promise of eternal life.
And it is the Cross of Christ that clarifies the real issues of life. As Christ's suffering has accomplished our free salvation, suffering in our lives reminds us what is truly important. Suffering reminds us of God's grace, and His promise that He will give us grace equal to the burden (2 Corinthians 12:9). "Sufficient grace" it says, so we can show the world how really amazing His amazing grace is.
Suffering reminds us of the things that money and possessions and prestige can never buy. Suffering causes us to trust and to love our Lord more. There have been many times when suffering has brought us to realize the emptiness of life without the Saviour. Suffering can make us a people of God we would never have been without it. Suffering will enable us to feel for those who are also suffering, and to be able to extend to them the love and understanding of the Lord Jesus Christ - walls go down, hearts open up when we speak from the unarguable platform of our pain. Suffering reminds us also that this world is not our home, that we are passing through this world to the glorious new eternity.
Yes, the amazing power of suffering. God has accomplished so much through His Son because of suffering, and remember, either now or in the future, He will accomplish great things through your suffering also. Grace and peace