“Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered”
Hebrews 5:8

     We live in a broken humanity. It can be seen and felt everywhere. None are immune to the frailties and vulnerabilities of being human. Yet, there is an unspoken shame that is felt by those who are dealing with various types of pain and weakness. We would much rather hide our struggles for fear of how we might be perceived. Limitations, even though everyone has them, make us feel a sense of being of lesser value. We pride ourselves on what can be accomplished without the aid of others. We idolize people who seem to have less imperfection. Have we bought into the lie of Job’s friends (Job 42:7)? Are we stuck with the same bad theology of the disciples wanting to know “who sinned” when we see someone dealing with difficulty (John 9:2)? We feel the need to figure out people and so we seek to point fingers. Life is not that simple. Do you realize that in our world the greatest number of those suffering illness, hunger, and disease are children? Their suffering is not sin.  

     All life is fragile. All life is precious. God sent his son into the world not only for the sin of mankind, but also to bear our broken human condition. Christ, the incarnate Son of God, becomes our fellow-sufferer. He dealt with weakness and pain. He had the same frailties and limitations of being human as us. He felt sorrow and wept. He even died. Yet, he remained faithful to God. He did not sin. He shares our pain so that we can share in his life. As Christians, we also share in his suffering. There is no way to carry your cross without feeling some of the burden, but you do not bear it alone. It is through the suffering of Jesus that all mankind can see that there is another choice to make when we hurt than choosing to sin, we can choose faith. Trusting God with our grief and pain is never in vain despite what your senses may tell you. Some of the poorest decisions we make are made in order to avoid pain. The result may provide a temporary ease, but the consequence of sin is far worse than physical trials. Faith in the midst of struggle and weakness draws us into a closer dependence on God. We trust him with the many things that are beyond our control. We believe that he will carry us home. We know that we are not home yet. In the mean time, God has made his home in us by his Spirit. His love endures. His grace is enough.  

Watch Suffering is Not Sin