Monday, May 24, 2010

Solace in suffering

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28).

Things could always be worse. How many times has someone tried to comfort you with that statement, as you’re trying to cope with a bad situation? How many times have you wanted to smack someone for saying such a thing?

When things are going badly, the last thing we want to hear is that we should count our blessings. Don’t other people understand what we’re going through? Can’t they sympathize with our plight? Don’t they have anything better to give us than some worn-out sentiments from a sympathy card?

When we’re hurting, we want to be the center of attention. We want others to drop what they’re doing so they can listen to our grumbling and agree that no one is worse off than we are. Misery loves company—so long as our misery gets the bulk of the attention.

When times are bad, it’s hard to look at things objectively. We get so wrapped up in our own problems that we become blind to what others are going through. Lots of people have been diagnosed with cancer. Lots of people have lost their jobs or had to live on government assistance. Lots of people have gone through divorce or lost a loved one to the grave. No matter what you’re going through, you aren’t alone in your pain.

And honestly, there are some who do have it worse than you. There are places in the world where people are kidnapped and murdered because they are Christians. There are millions who die from starvation or untreated medical problems. There are many who are homeless; some of them are stranded in a foreign country where few even speak their language. And many cry at a graveside, with no hope of a reunion in heaven because they have no faith in Jesus.

I’m not trying to make light of your troubles. But feeling sorry for yourself won’t make things better. There are many folks who understand your pain better than you think. Chief among them is Jesus. God’s Son walked our world as a man so He could experience first hand how tough life can be. He suffered unimaginably as He died on the cross. Christ has gone through much worse than you or I can possibly imagine. Go to Him in prayer; no one can understand your need better than Him.

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