Transforming Suffering: Finding Hope in the Darkest Moments
In the midst of suffering, it’s natural to cry out, “Why me? Why this? Why now?” But what if our questions could be transformed into something new and wonderful? David Powlison, a husband, father, teacher, counselor, and director of the Christian Counseling and Education Foundation, reflects on how God can turn our inward-focused questions into outward-looking ones that bring hope and joy.
The Real God Enters Our Suffering
In times of pain and hardship, we must remember that the real God comes for us, in the flesh, in Christ, into our suffering, on our behalf. He doesn’t offer advice from afar; He steps into our struggles and carries us through even the most difficult situations. This reality changes the questions that rise up from our hearts.
A New Question Forms
As we turn outward, a new and wonderful question forms: “Why you, Lord of life? Why would you enter this world of evils? Why would you go through loss, weakness, hardship, sorrow, and death? Why would you do this for me, of all people?” This deeper question sinks home, and we become joyously sane. The universe is no longer supremely about us, yet we are not irrelevant. God’s story makes us just the right size – neither too big nor too small.
Facing Hard Things with Hope
We face hard things, but we have already received something better, which can never be taken away. And that better something will continue to work out the whole journey long. We are able to give true voice to a thank you amid all that is truly wrong, because all sins and all sufferings have now come under His loving-kindness.
Why Not Me?
If our faith might serve as a three-watt night light in a very dark world, why not me? If our suffering shows forth the Savior of the world, why not me? If we have the privilege of filling up the sufferings of Christ, if He sanctifies to us our deepest distress, if we fear no evil, if He bears us in His arms, why not me?
Becoming Willing
Of course, we don’t want to suffer, but we’ve become willing – like our Savior, who said, “If it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.” Like Him, our loud cries and tears will be heard by the One who saves from death. Like Him, we will learn obedience through what we suffer. Like Him, we will sympathize with the weaknesses of others. Like Him, we will display faith to a faithless world, hope to a hopeless world, love to a loveless world, life to a dying world.
God’s Promises
If all that God promises only comes true, then why not me? We can trust that God will see us through and work with us the whole way. Our suffering can be transformed into something new and wonderful, bringing hope and joy to ourselves and others.
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