Tuesday, November 16, 2010

The Mystery Behind Suffering: It's Not About Me

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."
Proverbs 3:5,6

I wrote a post a few days ago for Spiritual Sundays that spoke about the mystery behind suffering, and the many comments I received gave me new insights into this topic and affirmed some of my own. The comment shared by my friend Dominique from "4 Walls and a View" gave me pause and an important piece to this puzzle I have been putting together.

I had been reading and talking to others about the many ideas surrounding the subject of suffering. Does God use our suffering? Is it sometimes part of His plan or assignment for us? Does God want every person to be healed and well? What are the causes behind suffering? Can we solve this mystery? Should we even try?

Dominique shared, "Maybe we were never meant to figure it all out. Maybe this is just part of our journey that is called faith." I had to chuckle when I read this. My practitioner tells me I like to have "all my ducks in a row". I do not like surprises and I like to have all pieces of the puzzle in place! Like that ever happens in real life! Dominique is soooo right.....we will never figure it all out. We are not meant to. God is God and we are not!

This journey of discovery I have been on has expanded and deepened my faith and helped me realize that I can find acceptance and comfort in living with all the mysteries of God. I know that God will use us as we are and where we are today. It is my desire to serve Him whether I am healed or not. It is not about me. It is about putting the spotlight on God...His glory....His desire to further His kingdom. Dominique's words helped remind me that I can trust God, and not lean on my own understanding. Trusting and leaning on God ~Not a bad place to be.

5 comments:

Andrea said...

AMEN...much needed post! Thank you!!
Blessings, hugs, and prayers,
andrea

Renee said...

You are welcome, Andrea! Thanks for coming by and for your prayers.

Fliterary said...

Amen, Renee!

This reminds me of what Tony Snow wrote, “God relishes surprise. We want lives of simple, predictable ease—smooth, even trails as far as the eye can see—but God likes to go off-road. He places us in predicaments that seem to defy our endurance and comprehension—and yet don't. By his love and grace, we persevere. The challenges that make our hearts leap and stomachs churn invariably strengthen our faith and grant measures of wisdom and joy we would not experience otherwise.”

Jan Lyn said...

I just read both your 'suffering' posts, Renee and they are refreshing. I've heard about every theory as well and been told a great deal of why I suffer-mostly by those who do not yet suffer. I've received about every miracle drink and oil. The worst was last week when someone asked me what it would take for me to decide to STOP collecting diagnosis' when I received yet another one...

It is exhausting. But, I don't think God intends it to be so or quite the burden that it seems with our human vision at times. I agree, God is God and there are just some things we will never know this side of eternity...and we trust, pray and wait for the grace as my husband says. I agree...lots of mystery and God is allowing me to practice it.

Blessings and Prayers,
Jan Lyn

MTJ said...

Hi Renee,

My career in IT has been shaped by having my ducks all lined up. This philosophy has served me well professionally, but it is useless when I try to comprehend the spiritual truths, thoughs and concepts of The Sovereign God.

I am not left hanging on a limb (even when it feels like it to me). God simply says, "Do not be afraid." and "Trust in the Lord..."

Blessings and peace.

MTJ