FACING SUFFERING

We could approach the subject from a philosophical/theological angle - how do we reconcile belief in a God of love with the reality of a world of suffering? But this sermon aims for a more pastoral approach, on how we actually face suffering.

First, three Bible passages with different outlooks:-

Psalm 22:1-21  A cry of despair - what is God doing? where is he? We tend to read this psalm in the light of the crucifixion, since Jesus quotes from it and other bits tie in with the crucifixion. However, think of it in its original context - somebody in despair, a real heart-cry. The psalm goes on to praise, but at the time of the first part, all is despair.

Thank God this and other similar passages are in the Bible. They could so easily have been censored out as not presenting God in a good light, but they are here as statements not of non-faith, but of troubled faith. And so they can be something for us to reflect on in times of difficulty.

Psalm 91  (Rather than reading this psalm we sang “Safe in the shadow of the Lord”, (Mission Praise 583), which is a hymn based on the psalm). In contrast to Psalm 22, here is total trust in God, expressed so well in Timothy Dudley-Smith’s hymn. But it’s not the whole story - verses 5-10 of the Psalm are not always true!

Philippians 4:10-13 Contentment, whatever may come, because of Christ’s strength. Paul is writing from prison, probably not suffering to a marked degree but certainly not in an enviable position! But he has learnt this vital lesson.

However, again it is not the whole story. Some suffering should make us angry, angry enough to do something. Karl Marx called Christianity “the opiate of the masses” because he took it that it taught meekly accepting suffering, whereas that should not always be the case.

Here then are 3 very different Bible passages, all of which are worth reflecting on at greater depth, but none of which present the whole picture by themselves.

Next, five common (but generally unhelpful) things that people say in the face of suffering:-

“What have I done to deserve this?”

This of course is based on the view that good people deserve good things, and vice versa, and since I have been good why am I suffering like this? A very commonly held view, deeply embedded in many people, including sadly many Christians.

But this is bad theology - the book of Job is a protest against this sort of view; also the Gospel reading Luke 13:1-5. Illness etc strikes good and bad alike.

Furthermore, this view only makes the problem worse, since it adds a sense of injustice to the original burden.

“It must be a punishment.”

Again, a commonly held view, particularly in situations where a version of Christianity has been taught that presents God as a punisher. But again it is bad theology - illness etc doesn’t work that way. And again, this view makes the problem worse since it adds a sense of spiritual guilt.