S&F-The Privilege of Suffering

There is a lot of suffering in the world.  I don't think anyone can dispute that.  Dealing with physical pain or emotional distress is part of our life in this world.  No one wants to suffer.  God loves us. So why does God allow us to suffer?

In my case, dealing with a major medical issue does include some suffering.  At the beginning of the cancer journey I had a hard time with the physical and emotional issues that were becoming part of my daily life.  I was used to putting myself in some physical pain when I worked out and actually enjoyed the soreness that came with working hard.  In contrast, the pains that came with my medial treatments were not something I could control and led me to days of sadness and tears.

While I still do not look towards the pain that comes with the treatments, my attitude has changed.  I look to suffering as a privilege that God allows me to experience.  My pain is something that brings me closer to what Jesus went through on the Cross.  In my pain I am reminded that Jesus was scourged, crowned with thorns, hung on a cross and died for our sins.  I can't imagine the suffering he endured carrying the sins of the world on his shoulders in his crucifixion.

In our suffering in life we should look at it as a reminder that Jesus suffered for us.  It is our privilege to be asked to experience, even in a small part, what He felt on the Cross.