They were men who walked with their maker. They were His closest confidants. They ate at His table, shared in His joys, and moved to touch lives with his grace and love. Yet even as the earth readied itself for that grandest display of pure love, they stumble.
One because of money and the other because of fear. Forgetfulness swept in where comforting memories reigned. And once the deed was complete they both regretted it. They agonized over what they had done, though in varying degrees. The pain, the mental suffering and the fear all overtook their peaceful satisfied lives.
One chose the path of death and the other the path of life. Both knew the Lord and yet the outcome of their suffering pushed one into the abyss of continued suffering while the other stepped into the light of eternal life. Judas and Peter did walk the path of suffering albeit in the mind realm.
When we go through suffering, when fear gnaws at our very beliefs and pain causes us to refocus on our virtues, our character is tested. Job the character meant to reveal suffering and love and show us answers to the huge question of “where is God when it hurts?” beautifully says with love through pain ‘What? Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?’ (Job 2:10).
Even in the height of loss and pain, Job was loyal to God. We all know how silver is purified. The silver smith takes the silver, full of impurities and holds it in the hottest part of the fire, patiently watching it, ensuring that the impurities melt away while the silver becomes purer and purer. During the whole process, the smith has to be watching the silver very closely; he cannot take away his eyes even for a moment, for that will destroy the silver and once the silver is pure the smith molds it into the figure he has chosen it for.
So it is with our Maker. He lets us go through the corridors of suffering so we can be melted and molded to do His purpose for us. Suffering causes our independent, rebellious hearts to learn to depend, depend only on our God, depend fully on our God. And yet as the smith, he keeps a close watch over us, so that we will not be tempted beyond what we can bear. The refining process is the only one that makes us pure and holy, as He wants us to be. ‘Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy’ (1 Pet. 4: 12 – 13 KJV).
Paul talks of “His strength is made perfect in weakness” and his life is an example to this beautiful truth. How many times have our gratitude been to God when we are at our heights of comfort and self-satisfaction? And how many times have we called upon God and prayed to Him earnestly when we are at the depths of pain and despair? I recollect a story of a man who walked this earth with a cross of suffering.
Even as he trudged the paths of each day, the weight of the cross grew more and finally when he felt he could not bear it anymore he called out to the Lord. “God, you who sit in the highest heavens, hear my cry and take away this suffering from me”. And then, God who had all along walked with him, touched him gently and said, “My, son what ails you?”. And the man glad at heart, requests God to take away the cross for it is too heavy and God tells him that he has to take it for that is the only way he can receive the beautiful life Christ has kept ready for him in eternity but, He Christ would be with him and bear the pain along with him.
Then the man requests God, “Can you at least give me another cross?” So God takes him to a huge storehouse filled with crosses and asks him to choose. The man spends hours trying to choose; a small cross proved too heavy for its make was of iron, a glass one cut his palms, a lean one made him fall always and as the day drew to a close, the man desperate and tired walked back to the exit and then he saw a small cross, kind of cute and he rushed to pick it up and found it also light. Satisfied he has found the perfect one, he walked out and even as the doors closed behind him, God touched him and said, “Dear son, this cross that you have walked out with, is the very one that you took in with you”. We cannot escape from suffering if that is what we have in mind for that is the only process that refines us. To be stars we need to be polished hard and often and only then can we shine brightly. Suffering causes us to be humble and patient.
It enables us to depend completely on God and also have interdependence with people, who have begun to matter more than the vain things we hold so closely. Suffering as it pushes us to a corner where there is nothing much to lose, causes us to realize the urgent need for redemption and presents the gospel in the real light – the light of hope, comfort and life. If you are going through some kind of suffering, remember God is with us. He will give us the strength to come through with glory and will walk with you, to receive you safely in His arms.
Author: Mr. Ashley Chris is a graduate in Physics with an MBA. He has his own establishment, Ithiel Consulting in Bangalore offering training and coaching in soft skills.
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