Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Hope And Health

Once, while riding our bicycles over a mountain in California, I began to complain to my son John about the toll the ride was taking on me. My body seemed to be wracked with pain after riding for over six hours. After a moment he made one of his profound, son-to-father, life altering statements to me.

“Dad,” he said, “we didn’t have to do this. We chose to do it. Pain is optional. Suffering isn’t.”

Solomon also made a similar statement: “A man’s spirit sustains him in sickness; but a crushed spirit who can bear?” All of us endure many days of suffering as well as pain as we walk through life’s journey. Often the “pain part of life” brings about the accomplishment of a heart’s desire: to accomplish something that very difficult. It may be that no one else has ever attempted or tried to do what we have set our hearts to do.

We may be chosen by God to endure long nights of unbearable suffering that no one has the capacity to empathize with. Our minds may be confused by mental problems that surmount all methods of healing. Suffering often alters our inner resources and mental outlook to combat the “unwanted suffering.” Many of us come to the place where we have no more mental, physical or even spiritual resources to overcome our suffering. What then?

Are there any simple answers or pithy statements or verses available? Though we may try there are no easy ways to comfort the suffering. All must accept the grace of God and enter into the “fellowship of His suffering.”

Prayer:  Father, for those suffering today, please give them Your peace, renew their spirit and grant them hope. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 18:14 The human spirit can endure in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?

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