Suffering is not exclusive

There was an article I read in a women's magazine some years ago. It was about the growing trend of glamourising stress. Apparently, people get into competition on their outrageously busy schedules, their tight deadlines, their endless to-do lists and the ever raising blood pressure. I don't quite know if this has something to do with wanting to be important, or trying to paint a picture of productive energy. The point is, stress can never be glamorous. Neither can the lack of balance and pacing in one's life.

The Bible speaks about suffering in terms of it being a global experience. It is not exclusive nor can it be patented. For example, when you think of suffering in the typically African perspective, it is easy to imagine that famine, floods, wars, and corruption are localized to this sad part of the world. But this is simply not true, famine, floods, wars, and corruption are well represented all over the world. Perhaps it is much easier to project so
me forms of suffering further away from ourselves and imagine we are better off.

As Believers in Christ, it can get especially challenging as we often perceive the challenges we face as personal and unique. We imagine there has never been anyone who has had to endure as much as we have, or to have their patience tried as hard, or to have lost so much and been persecuted in the way we have. Most of the time it is because we do not share these experiences with one another. We feel like it is our personal load to bear and therefore no one needs to know how God delivered us out of that challenge lest they think we are proud or boastful.

1 Peter chapter 5 speaks about suffering as a universal concept, one that is common to man. Here are some of Paul's insights.

• Instead of isolating ourselves in our suffering and taking on the martyr approach to life; Paul says to 'humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.' vs 6
• Instead of being so focused on looking busy, always being rushed, or aiming for the master multi-tasking championship award (while loosing your hair in the process); Paul has this suggestion; 'Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.' vs 8-9
• God understands our suffering, so much so that He has made a plan to deal with it well in advance. In His endless supply of grace, He has prepared an eternal union with Jesus Christ (who Himself knew suffering of an extreme nature), along with a way to perfect us , to give us a firmness, strength and a sure foundation. 'And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.' 10-11

I hope this can be an inspiration to us as believers to be open about our struggles, in humility and a genuine desire to help others facing the same challenges. Just by sharing our stories, we can open someone's heart and enable them to share theirs, which will lead to iron sharpening iron. Remember, suffering is not exclusive.

God bless you.

Julie