I’ve had my share of accidents. Besides the common everyday kind, like stubbing a toe and watching it make putting on a shoe or even walking difficult. Or like bending over and hitting my head on the way back up (that happens a lot when one is 6’5″ and his wife is barely 5’3″).
But I’ve also had my share of the more serious kind. Being hit while riding my bike in 2016 and then watching the hit-n-run driver just take off as I laid on the pavement. (It is mixed bag. I’m so grateful nothing was coming, but at the same time they may have seen the person never stop). Three months later going over the handlebars while going downhill and breaking a collarbone, 3 ribs, and leaving a bunch of skin on the pavement. (I also split my helmet in three places. So grateful for that helmet which I won’t ride without). I eventually had back surgery to take a bone chip off a nerve. I’ve had a meniscus taken care of and have been told I need a knee replacement. That was 6 years ago. I’m holding out till my death. 🙂
But mine are minor to the life-altering ones like cancer, heart issues, MS, Parkinson’s, and others. I spoke with someone recently whose life and plans have been turned upside down with a cancer diagnosis and a congenital heart issue she knew nothing about.
Suffering is hard to take. Understanding it is sometimes even harder. To simply say, “God allows suffering” doesn’t cut it with most people. But there is one thing that is true: God allows suffering and brings comfort so that we might have empathy for someone else. In fact, I told this person that I, obviously, have no way to know why this has come her way, but I do hope she will see others and give them the same comfort and hope and spiritual help she has received. Nothing is wasted. No lesson is to be kept to oneself. God does comfort us, but it is not just for us, but for others. We are to be a comfort to others.
Don’t wallow in self-pity or keep the lessons you are learning to yourself. Encourage others to keep going and to cling to Jesus as they do.
The Lord has surely brought you through some hard trials. He is so faithful! I find it so amazing how God orchestrates our paths with those who are now going through what we have gone through in the past so we can truly empathize with them and tell them how He was faithful. It gives them so much hope. It reminds me of 2 Cor. 1:3,4, “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” He comforts us in our trials, so we can pass that same comfort on to those who will be walking through the same trials later. Praise His holy name!
That is a perfect Scripture for this devotion Cheryl. I should have included it. Comforted to comfort. Thanks for the comment.
Shared this on my FB page. Good answer to a hard question.
WOW! Thanks Pam. I am grateful. Since I’m not on FB, please let me know if it helped anyone.
Well, I was considering stopping my blog because I have no readership anymore. But, your closing statement has me reconsidering. Maybe someone out there is reading and just not commenting. Thanks, Bill, for your word of encouragement.
You’re welcome Diane. Please let me know if you decide to continue it. As you can see, my readership is limited also. But as long as God gives me the “Go” I will continue to writing. Good to hear from you!
Hey… what am I, chopped liver?!!!! 😛
I’m thinking she meant nothing by it. 🙂
Suffering is hard to take, watching one suffer is hard as well. Having come through one season of suffering and seeing the other side, I am still asking what the purpose and plan was for it. Perhaps simple reminding us of our continual need for our Father in heaven.
Perhaps we are simply living our life in a fallen world where suffering exists. We may never know the why… but hopefully we can draw some comfort in knowing that the suffering is only temporary. We can obviously pray for super natural healing and relief. We can pray that doctors would find and be able to correct most issues. We can pray that when the end of this life comes, that we will be able to finally be with our Father in heaven waiting with arms open wide for those who have put their faith and trust in His son Jesus.
You are right Ryan. Whether it is us or someone we love, watching someone suffer is hard. I suspect your example is one of those that we may never know the purpose and plan. Who knows? It may take years when the light dawns and you say, “Now I see!” But then again, it may be in eternity you finally get your answer. I’m inclined to agree with you on the whole idea this is a world we were not made to live for. We are just passing through and there will come a day when everything will be well and all things brighter.
Pain, suffering, and brokenness all very hard trails to go through or watch someone you love go through. During those times, we need to go back through what God promises us, He loves us, He will never leave us, He will walk through the valley with us. Sometimes the biggest lesson we have to learn is that we need to put our full trust in God, lean on Him. Sometimes God teaches us through the trial that the Lord is not first in our lives, we need a new alignment, new focus. Asking God what do I need to learn from this is not an easy task ever. Holding on to Jesus, and opening your heart up to Him, listening, He promises us, He will be with us, and cling to Jesus, is all you can do.
True words Gail. Clinging to Jesus and opening our heart to listen to His promises of faithfulness and compassion and steadfast love is so important.
There’s so much in the world that happens, and it seems there is no rhyme or reason for it. But we can rest assured that God will be close by us when we face trials of any kind, and we can, in turn, be an encouragement to others.
Blessings, Bill!
Very true Martha. Who can make sense of it all except the ONE who is in charge and knows what is coming?
I’ve never broken a bone, but I’ve been in several accidents and almost driven off a cliff when I fell asleep at the wheel. But I’ve been with people who suffered a lot worse, and have felt their pain.
I remember watching “The Passion of Christ” Talk about suffering! We are witnessing a man who is already aware of our suffering and takes it upon Himself to suffer for us, so that hopefully we don’t have to endure THAT kind of suffering.
I wish I could say I have never broken a bone but that would en effort in futility. I guess broken bones come with the territory of cycling and not knowing when an accident will happen. :p And yes, no one has ever endured the suffering Jesus di.