Suffering
I know what it is to suffer a bit. I have seen others who suffered worse than I did, but it’s not really a contest. Suffering is a huge struggle. Suffering is not always temporary. Suffering is not always noticeable to others – it’s sometimes private or secret. I can sometimes see suffering coming and at other times suffering is a surprise. Suffering comes in different shapes and sizes. Grief involves deep suffering. Physical suffering can be long and painful. It is hard to watch someone suffer.
Jesus is nearing the end of His time on earth, and He sees suffering coming. He is a bit distressed and needs some time to pray. He slips offer to Gethsemane to pray. Check this out….
32 They went to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and Jesus said, “Sit here while I go and pray.” 33 He took Peter, James, and John with him, and he became deeply troubled and distressed. 34 He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
35 He went on a little farther and fell to the ground. He prayed that, if it were possible, the awful hour awaiting him might pass him by. 36 “Abba, Father,” he cried out, “everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”
37 Then he returned and found the disciples asleep. He said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour? 38 Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”
39 Then Jesus left them again and prayed the same prayer as before. (Mark 14:32-39 NLT)
Jesus leaned on His friends during suffering.
Jesus leaned on His Father during suffering.
When I’ve gone through suffering, I try to find my footing where I can take one step at a time through it. I believe suffering can make be better or it can make me bitter – it’s my choice. I see suffering as something that build me or break me. I always lean on the Lord during suffering and the friends that I lean on, have hope in Him as well. I do have to say, that I pray that suffering takes a detour before coming upon me. It is so hard. A big portion of my prayers right now are for people I know who are suffering with a death, bad prognosis or their situation has become very hard.
I believe in God. I believe in His Presence. I have hope in Him. I know that this life, filled with suffering, is not the end – the land of the living awaits. If I’m here and suffering, that means I’ve got more work to do.
Pressing On!
Dwayne