Suffer Well

Two statements that I’ve come across recently are ‘suffer well’ and ‘a good steward of pain’. 

The words ‘good’ and ‘well’ don’t normally sit right with the word ‘pain’. These statements are rather hard hitting when you are experiencing deep trauma and grief and living in a very dark place. 

Let’s never under estimate the depth of someones pain. Many people will have scars for the rest of their lives by the things they have endured and maybe continue to endure. 

It may take a very long time for someone to be able to suffer well. It may take a lot of counsel and help along the way for someone to be a good steward of pain. 

Does God expect us to stand up straight away from being knocked down? What does God really expect and how does He want us to react to the traumatic things that many of us will face in this life?

To steward is to manage and be responsible for what has been given to you. Pain can be a cruel master in that it can take over your whole life. From the time we wake to the time we sleep and all of the times in between, pain can be at the forefront. 

People who have constant pain in their bodies can go to pain management clinics to help them deal with the constant pain. There are certain things put in place to help which have to be repeated daily. 

To suffer well and be a good steward of suffering one has to somehow put things in place that helps the pain not be so over bearing and all consuming. With God’s help this is possible. 

In my journey I have found that there are many times when I’m managing the pain but then there are those times when the pain becomes unbearable and difficult to deal with. 

There are no easy pat answers, but it does however require effort to do those things that help us along the difficult road ahead. Pray, read God’s Word, fellowship with others, get involved in groups both in church and outside. These all take effort but they will all help in the goal of suffering well. 

There are many scriptures that mention suffering. 1 Peter 3:14; 1 Peter 5:10; 2 Cor 4:17; Col 1:24; James 1:12. We do need to understand that there are many types of suffering. More often than not the type of suffering that scripture refers to is for the cause of Christ. However, we also need to remember that God is with us in whatever suffering and it is that that enables us to suffer well and to steward pain in a way that brings glory to Him. I can’t suffer well in my own strength. I can’t steward pain in a good way without Him. It is He who is working in us. 

Part of processing pain and walking this journey of hardship is all part of working out our salvation. Salvation is a process and as God works in us we can, by His grace work out what He puts in.

“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” Phil 2:12-13

I do have to yield to Him and the Spirits working in me. This is often the difficult bit. The reason that I don’t always suffer well is because I become inward focused and that often happens when one is tired and done in and seeing no way forward. 

The scripture encourages us to fix our eyes on Jesus, the one who has endured and overcome. When these things are in place and working well we can all suffer well and steward pain in a way that is honouring to Him and those around us. This isn’t being stoic this is being real both with myself and with God. 

Prayer:

Father, You know when I’m struggling and not doing well with pain. Help me and those who are suffering to lean more on You and know Your power working through us. We want to live a life that is honouring and pleasing to You. Amen.