The Monday Morning Quarterback

Yesterday I preached on suffering, a topic that I don't particularly enjoy preaching on, but which I believe is an important one to address. To the persecuted church the topic is probably a no-brainer. But for many affluent Western churches, the understanding that suffering is part of the package is frequently absent. I noted that some believe that if we follow Jesus we will be or should be protected from affliction and suffering. Some have an implicit understanding with God that goes something like this: God if I follow you and keep the commandments and live as faithfully as I can, then I expect you [or you are obligated] to protect me from suffering.

Some preachers of the health and wealth gospel fuel this heresy. They preach the gospel that if you are sick or have suffered some financial reversal your sin or disobedience is the cause of it. I have known people with incurable diseases who have had these well-meaning but misguided people praying for them, and when they are healed the afflicted person is blamed for not having enough faith.

However, the Bible is realistic about suffering, does not try to sugarcoat it nor deny it. At least two thirds of the Psalms involve complaining, lamenting, arguing, etc. with God about affliction and God's not remedying the situation. Jesus tells us that if we follow him we can expect suffering. Jesus promises to be with us in our suffering, and minister to us through the community of faith. When he comes again suffering will be no more. But in the meantime, in the "in between times" as theologians refer to it, we can expect to suffer. We need to look to Jesus and the church to help sustain us in these times.