When addressing suffering in the life of a believer, the conversation often devolves into a focus on individual discomfort: Why would God allow this to happen to one of His children if He loves them dearly? Paul, who personally endured much suffering, knew his followers were struggling with this issue and expanded the focus to the larger body of Christ. His brilliant answer speaks powerfully to those first-century believers, as well as our generation and present circumstances. Generally, the negative effects of the pandemic are well-known; often overlooked are the unfolding spiritual opportunities. Specifically, as a caregiver to my precious wife, it is easy to highlight the pain and fail to find the treasures hidden inside:
What a wonderful God we have—he is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the source of every mercy, and the one who so wonderfully comforts and strengthens us in our hardships and trials. And why does he do this? So that when others are troubled, needing our sympathy and encouragement, we can pass on to them this same help and comfort God has given us. You can be sure that the more we undergo sufferings for Christ, the more he will shower us with his comfort and encouragement (2 Corinthians 1: 3-5 TLB).
UNFOLDING SPIRITUAL OPPORTUNITIES
World-wide growth in population, unprecedented increases in technology, and interconnected economies have made it impossible for us remain isolated from the overwhelming challenges facing us. The pandemic brought our vulnerabilities to the forefront. Mandates, supply chain issues, violence in our streets, biased curricula in our schools, and illegal immigration have become fodder for those who delight in cynicism; those who are accustomed to looking for cure-all answers from Federal and State governments are finding none. Thankfully, some serious thinkers are becoming willing, without fear of ridicule, to declare, “This is different! Something unusual is happening in the world!” As a result, there is greater openness to eternal solutions.
Even though Paul was facing a different set of problems, there are similarities. He was surrounded by unbelief and injustice. Nevertheless, in that environment the seeds of truth were sown and two millennia later the Church, in some of the most restricted nations on earth, is thriving in the midst of oppression. My prayer is that American believers will cease to be satisfied with cursing the darkness, while maintaining the status quo. Rather, that we might reflect upon Paul’s instructions to Timothy and make personal application, for me, my grandmother Maggie and mother Lida:
I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you. This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline (2 Timothy 5-7 NLT).
Finding Hidden Treasures
In the past week, comforting Linda has not been without mind-bending challenges. I have chosen to focus on two extremes:
- She smiled brightly and hurried toward me. After a big hug, she handed me her baby doll and for the next forty-five minutes, with brief stops to rest my aching back, we walked almost constantly. When I shared that her baby doll was pretty, just like her mother, flashing her trademark smile, she responded, “I love you!” It was one of those unexpected times when she allowed me to enter into and enjoy her world. I departed the building knowing that the aberration which I had just experienced would not continue.
- Later in the week, when I arrived for my daily visit, the Activities Director told me that Linda had been emotional most of the morning, frequently crying with an accompanying flood of mucous. While I was there she lethargically attempted to play “bat the ball,” but mostly slept. When I prepared to leave, she accepted my explanation that I must go eat; then, suddenly she held onto my hand and said, “No.” A fellow resident, sitting beside her, seemingly sensed my pain and told me, “A lot of prayers are going up for her.” Holding back my tears, I hurriedly departed the building, fully aware that God had used this precious little lady to demonstrate Paul’s mandate to pass on the help and comfort God has given us.
F.B. Meyer’s thoughts sum up this tumultuous week: “Human life is made up of brightness and gloom, shadows and sunshine, and dark clouds followed by brilliant rays of light. Yet through it all, God is accomplishing His plan.” Strangely, I rejoice in knowing that Linda is nearer to being separated from her earthly body, and forever living in the presence of the Lord.
Ron Harvard Ministries 