This is quite a difficult subject for me - precisely because I don't think I suffer that much, if at all. I know the main arguments for suffering - that approximately 80% (according to an stats expert) of suffering is a result or consequence of wrongdoing either by ourselves or someone else. The other 20% is what is difficult to explain I feel. Natural disasters, cancer, genetic illnesses etc cannot be explained by the consequence of sin, like perhaps other suffering can.
I have an understanding that natural disasters occur because of the fallen nature of the world we live in, that God's plan for the world was thwarted and when Jesus comes again we will have a perfect creation, just like God planned. A documentary I saw about the tsunami in Asia several years ago explored this further; a Christian geologist explained that the world had to follow its natural laws that God had created, that the world also has free will.
I like this argument, I understand it, what I find difficult is prayer.
Where does prayer come in? Why are some people healed and others not? This is what bothers me - I think I'd rather believe in a God that doesn't heal at all, than a God who picks and chooses who He heals.
Any 'suffering' that occurs, always teaches me something or gives me something I can use to help others. I've been taught patience while applying for jobs, taught perseverance when things were tough at work - I really believe suffering teaches us many things and builds character. The amazing thing I've noticed is that people who suffer daily, those living in slums or poverty, are happy for the small things they do have and have such a sense of family and community that I think we lack over here. I think this is why prayers of healing seem to be answered so quickly in comparison, they have such a need whereas perhaps our needs are much less.
A very good friend of mine has been struggling with a muscle wasting illness for some time and has had prayer for this, every week at church and many people have been praying for him regularly. I used to pray everyday for him but have now been quite lax in this, and feel extremely guilty, that I don't have the faith that he does.
I have started again and will keep going, perseverance is key I think. I have to keep the faith :)
For years, I worked in statistics in a large company and can tell you that stats are often used incorrectly for the purpose of the one colleting such; people and companies have an agenda. Due to the reliance on such many false assumptions are made that are far from biblical. Moreover, often the gathering of stats is done in a way that only reinforces the agenda that is to be pushed.
ReplyDeleteThe Bible tells us we live in a fallen world and that suffering is a part of it. When the disciples asked the Lord whose sin caused a man to be blind, Christ answered, no ones. That particular man was there for the purpose of Christ to show His deity. Illness is a part of this fallen world and our bodies are not intended to last forever, as these are only temporary tents until the coming fullness of redemption, waiting on such in faith. The Bible tells us to mourn with those who mourn. One preacher stated if you cannot mourn with those who mourn, you have no right to rejoice with them when they rejoice.
What we forget to see in Scriptures all who were placed before Christ were healed, those who could not reach Him were not. This was by no fault of their own, it was logistics; they just could not get near Christ. Our Lord did not speak mass healing to the crowds but selected individuals for the purpose of His ministry. Remember the one who was lowered through the roof by his friends, not everyone has four friends of such devotion. The longer an illness (or poverty) goes on, the fewer friends an individual has because it becomes a stumbling block in faith for others who cannot “explain” it, instead of just accepting it and the individual.
Suffering does produce perseverance and test our faith, yet it is also an opportunity for grace from the body of Christ. Individuals who suffer daily from chronic illness that never goes away are the constant subjects of conversation by others who have a hard time with it. Often when these “others” struggle, they make it harder for the individual who is ill. Many governmental agencies will tell you they know the church is not picking up their responsibility for the ill in their community, because the government is doing it.
In the Old Testament one prophet admonished the leadership for their treatment of the ill and poor among them and stated it was for this cause that Israel went into bondage. We are also told because of the choice of our parents, Adam and Eve all will suffer. Prayers are always answered; yes, no, wait; it is the latter we struggle with. In the account Jesus told of Lazarus and the rich man, the suffering was caused by greed, indifference and lack of compassion.
part one
Mrs. J
Sorry could not fit it all in one.
ReplyDeleteIn the account of illness, often suffering can be lessen by the kindness and compassion of others in just accepting it as part of life, no fault of the individual. I have seizures as the result of an injury in child hood, my head hit the wall when my father through me across the room, among other times. In an accident at a place I worked dangerous chemicals poisoned me in a fire and it resulted in the condition something like the boy in the bubble.
For years, people like Joni and literally thousands of other Christians suffer in their bodies and prayer has been offered up that could fill a nation. There comes a time when acceptance is required, resignation and making peace with suffering. We hear a lot of stories of the marvelous miracles of healing, yet we never hear of the stories of the massive suffering of the chronically ill. The government is supporting over 120 million chronically ill individuals. In so many families I witness those with great prosperity disdain the ill and condemn them instead of helping. In many fellowships in Christendom, the same thing happens. In the book of Acts we are told that none among them did without, not so in today churches. What James warned about not showing favoritism, well it is being ignored.
For every healing, we hear about, there are thousands who are not healed and it is not told because there is an agenda to push the miracles instead of the message of grace. There is more money to be made in miracles instead of grace. For centuries Christendom led the way for compassion towards those who suffered, it is not so today, because suffering is looked upon as bad and terrible, caused by sin so it is deserved. Grace says it will be there for the long haul; it will provided what is lacking to increase comfort; it will love and not condemn; it will comfort and not ridicule; it will endure for the longevity of perseverance, not giving up; this is Christ and this is the duty of the body of Christ.
Mrs. J.
Thank you for your brilliant and insightful comments - I totally agree. I do believe that when we pray it brings us more in line with God's plan and how we can help others; we become more aware of the bigger picture.
ReplyDeleteI would hate my good friend to be burdened by my feeling that I can't explain the suffering or why he is not healed. I know my faith has become stronger with these struggles and though I cannot fully explain why some people are healed and others not, I do know that we have the promise of the ultimate healing in Heaven. The real healing for my friend, and the most important, is the spiritual healing he has received, that he can be assured of God's love, peace and strength and that he will one day be fully restored.