In sorrow and grief, heartache and pain, disappointment, and injustice the Bride of Christ is made ready.
The big unavoidable experiences in life somehow prepare us to meet our Savior in a prepared, no strings attached condition. Just how does that work? This is a question I am wanting to explore.
Sorrow is profound distress of the spirit in the face of great loss. This is especially present when the loss is deeply connected with someone we authentically love. The deeper the love the more acute is the sorrow. Such sorrow has the effect of bringing one into a depth of one’s reality, devoid of the trappings of normal life. Sorrow reaches the very depth of the soul. When one visits that depth of personal intimacy, transformations can come about that are simply not accessible during normal life experiences.
Grief is deep sorrow begetting a sense of misery, usually following the loss of a loved one. Grief can also result from tragic losses of critical or essential possessions. Grief typically bridges Sorrow and Heartache affecting spirit and emotions.
Heartache is emotional distress and anguish. Where sorrow affects the spirit, heartache affects the heart with deep emotional suffering. This is most often experienced when there is a loss or absence of someone deeply loved and revered.
Pain is physical in nature causing extreme suffering and discomfort due to illness or injury. However, deep sorrow, grief and heartache can often induce physical pain, and that especially evident when one is in a physical sensitivity and jeopardy.
Disappointment is a sense of sadness and discouragement when hopes and expectations go unfulfilled. Disappointment can be very debilitating when it causes the loss of hope for the future. The effect of disappointment can’t be underestimated with regards to its potential negativity that devastates a person.
Injustice is one of the most devastating experiences for a person’s peace. Injustice is gross unfairness that typically assails the innocence of the victim. Injustice causes a myriad of negative emotions to surface, often compromising the nature and character of those who suffer it. Injustice reaches its pinnacle when it is visited upon us from a trusted source we dearly loved or venerated, having held them in high esteem.
Now one of the clear tenants of Jesus teaching is the necessity of such suffering as tis just described. Regardless of how distasteful suffering is, it has the potential to transform us into a ready and prepared Bride for Christ. It is the aim of what Jesus taught regarding suffering that we with the strength of faith and trust in the Lord bear it to the glory of God and to our own salvation. Here are the biblical references of this teaching of our Savior and Bridegroom. I invite you to read and deliberate upon these and see how they can bolster your tolerance for the unique personal suffering you can and must endure. May these provide you with an appreciation for your suffering and the strength and resilience to journey through in peace.
Acts 14:22
New Living Translation
22 where they strengthened the believers. They encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that we must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God.
Romans 5:3-4
New King James Version
3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope.
2 Corinthians 1:7
New King James Version
7 And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
The Message
7-10 Because of the extravagance of those revelations, and so I wouldn’t get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan’s angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I didn’t think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me,
My grace is enough; it’s all you need.
My strength comes into its own in your weakness.
Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ’s strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.
James 5:11
The Message
10-11 Take the old prophets as your mentors. They put up with anything, went through everything, and never once quit, all the time honoring God. What a gift life is to those who stay the course! You’ve heard, of course, of Job’s staying power, and you know how God brought it all together for him at the end. That’s because God cares, cares right down to the last detail.
1 Peter 2:20
New Living Translation
20 Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong. But if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, God is pleased with you.
1 Peter 3:14
New Living Translation
14 But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats.
Matthew 5:10
New King James Version
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 10:22
New Living Translation
22 And all nations will hate you because you are my followers. But everyone who endures to the end will be saved.
John 16:32-33
New King James Version
32 Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. 33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you ]will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
Philippians 4:6-8
New King James Version
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Meditate on These Things
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
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TURNING POINTS
The understanding and hence the appreciation of the eternal results of our unique and personal suffering will comfort us and inspire us with that “Peace of God” that surpasses all understanding.