Laurel and I spent this past weekend at the “Hope Together” conference in Dallas, where we hosted a booth and I delivered a keynote speech.
During our three days there, many fellow Christians shared with us their stories of pain and suffering. The experience was extremely sobering, but also uplifting because it was evident their Christian worldview was offering them hope and joy in the midst of their trials and tribulations.
One Sister in Christ has been rear-ended at stop lights six times! And T-boned once. It’s hard to believe her bad fortune. As a result of those terrible accidents, she lives with back pain 24/7. Yet she is the warmest, most thoughtful, most hospitable person you could ever meet.
Another Sister in Christ was only four years old when her biological mother started pimping her out to her step dad. She didn’t escape the abuse until she was 18 years old. Think about that. Yet, today she has managed to forgive her mother, make peace with her past, and is now writing books and ministering to other girls and women who are being sexually molested.
A Sister in Christ from Uganda lost both her parents when she was a young girl. At the orphanage, she had to become a mother to her three younger siblings. Today, instead of whining about her tough life, she runs a charity - The Fortress - that houses girls in distress and helps them create beautiful things. We bought a nativity set handmade from banana tree fiber and other natural materials. It’s spectacular!
Recently, a Sister in Christ and her husband were finally able to afford a modest but lovely home next to a lake. They were planning to spend the rest of their lives there, enjoying the fruits of their long labors. Tragically, her husband died just six months after moving in. So now, as she explained to us, she lives in the house alone. But instead of wallowing in self-pity, she is dedicating herself to her grandchildren, helping them to know and love Jesus.
A young Sister in Christ is paralyzed from the waist down, so she’s forced to get around on crutches. Yet instead of feeling sorry for herself, she sings in a worship band. All weekend, we were treated to her magnificent voice and her beautiful, radiant spirit.
Too many of us who are suffering are wont to wallow in self-pity and wonder, “Why me?” The correct answer is, “Why not you?”
What makes any of us think we’re so special that we should be immune to pain and suffering? Jesus himself - “a man of sorrows acquainted with grief” - warned us: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” - John 16:33.
The fact is that pain and suffering are universal. No one on planet Earth is spared. The only difference is what our pain and suffering looks like.
When I was an immature Christian, I would pray for all the things I wanted God to do for me. Moreover, if I didn’t get exactly what I wanted, I would be upset with God - or, worse, begin doubting his existence.
Now that I’m older, wiser, and absolutely certain about God’s existence, I mostly pray for others. As for me, I tell God: “I’ve had a good life - surely, a far better one than I deserve. Thank you! Now, do with me what you will, and I will be grateful to you, no matter what.”
This change in my worldview has allowed me to relax. I’m less uptight than before about what will happen to me. Above all, I’m more confident that ever that God will never fail me, despite challenges coming at me that I never wanted or expected.
Even when it comes to The Invisible Everywhere: Believing Is Seeing - the movie I’ve just finished slaving over - I’ve surrendered its fate to God. It’s really his movie, anyway, not mine.
Soli Deo Gloria! To God alone be the glory!
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Thank you and God bless you.
Love,
