Woe To Us All

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. Romans 5:3-4

It was after my third operation. I felt I was beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel. Yet two days later I quickly realized I had a serious infection. I had been through this story before. A year ago after an earlier procedure two days later I had a serious infection that took ten days of IV antibiotics to clear up. So I was pretty sure I knew where I was headed this time–except this time was worse. After going to the emergency room I was quickly admitted for what would be a four day hospital stay. By the end of the first day in the hospital I sent out prayer requests because I knew I was in serious trouble, my fever would not stay down for long and I had not felt so deathly ill in ages.

Fast forward to the end of another ten days of IV antibiotics. Once more I was beginning to see some light at the end of the tunnel. Yet a week later and the infection was back. It took another emergency room visit, a day in the hospital for observation, and eighteen more days of IV antibiotics to finally clear up the infection.

This is not a message to gain sympathy or to say “woe is me”. Rather it is to say “Woe to us all”. For we are all in the same boat. Your boat may not have been sinking exactly like mine but we are all sinking in some way. If not yourself directly, then a dear friend or family member, some loved one is bailing water out of their sinking ship right now. Suffering is part of the human condition. We cannot avoid it.

I have told people in the past that I’m not afraid of dying. I’ve been close to death enough to know that it’s not death we ultimately fear but rather suffering. Why do you think so many people take their own lives? They fear the pain of living more than dying.

In the verse at the beginning of this message the Bible talks about suffering and it attempts to get us to see suffering in a different light. I will admit when I read that verse I’m tempted to roll my eyes and say: “Sure, God.”

    There are other verses like it in scripture:

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,  because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. James 1: 2-3

In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 1 Peter 1:6-7

Having suffered with serious health issues since my late twenties I can tell you that while I’m no more happy about suffering and trials today than I was back then, I must admit these horrible experiences have deepened my relationship with God, strengthened my faith, and given me more patience–a virtue I have always struggled with.

  

Suffering itself is horrible and always will be. Yet coming out of the other side of it we can choose to be better or bitter. For the Christian who believes God is ultimately in charge of everything, even our trials and suffering, if we look beyond our pain we can see the maturity and wisdom gained from such trials. It does not come easy, it is never pleasant, but our faith can grow if we allow ourselves to sink even deeper roots into our Lord Jesus.

    

Others may have caused our suffering, or we may have brought it on ourselves in some way, or the suffering may simply be part of the vicissitudes of life. Whatever the cause, if we turn our faces to God, and call upon His Name in the midst of our sorrows, He will come and see us through to the other side of our suffering and pain.

Dear Lord, how we dread suffering, yet it is the gateway to maturity in our Christian walk with You. Give us the courage to face our pain, and the wisdom to trust You with our grief and suffering. Thank You for seeing us through so many dark days, and for the days that may yet come. Be with us always Lord. Amen.