Suffering Brings Light

fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

It should not surprise us that suffering can bring about good things. Yet we do not like to think of suffering as anything but a calamity to be avoided. 

I have noticed many great writers suffered from bouts of serious illness or ongoing infirmities. Charles Dickens suffered from asthma. George Orwell who wrote the book “1984” dealt with tuberculosis. Ernest Hemingway suffered mental health problems. Virginia Woolf suffered from manic depression. Sir Walter Scott suffered from illness as a boy, which kept him indoors reading stories that led to him becoming a prolific writer. Robert Louis Stevenson the author of “Treasure Island” suffered a lung ailment from boyhood into his adult years.

I have heard several instances like this and I can relate because my own series of afflictions lead me to both read and write. When one is forced to develop an “inward life” due to illness and affliction the door can open to other creative outlets.

Still, no one would choose to be ill or suffer ongoing affliction no matter what artistic talent or ability may come of it. Though it is encouraging to see that some good can come from suffering.

The One who suffered for us all did not do so for any personal benefit. What could you give to God? Indeed, He already had everything. Then He stepped down from the glory of Heaven into the poverty of humanity. Jesus suffered the indignities of mankind from being born in an animal stable and wearing diapers. Then as a grown man the scorn and ridicule of both the powerful and lowly among humanity even as He healed, taught, and helped humans.

The final act of His suffering reveals Jesus upon a criminal’s cross, hung between two convicts while being mocked. They cursed Him and dared Him to step down from the cross to prove He was God.

The greatest light of all was Jesus, and He brought light to us. Those who suffer affliction and endure difficult lives on earth will be set free of these indignities we now suffer. Those who place faith in Christ, accept His offer of Salvation from our sins, will enter into the glory Christ brings to every child of God.

His suffering brought light to a hurting world. Out of the suffering of our Lord came the light that leads us into an eternity free of pain and misery and filled with the glory of God Himself.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for humbling yourself to live and die among us. And Thank You for saving us from sin and eternal misery through Your goodness, love, and light. Amen.