Understanding Suffering, Hardly Ever

Keanu Reeves, as Ted in “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure,” said this:

“Strange things are afoot at the Circle-K.”

Ted was right. Strange things were happening and resulted in the boys having a grand adventure. But often, strange things are neither grand or adventurous, they’re just hard.

Faith & Trust

Sometimes I struggle with God’s word, a sign of weak faith, a lack of trust?

There are Psalms that tell of God’s protection, that he is a shield about me, and will deliver me from hardships. Then there are verses that speak of being pruned and disciplined, and how suffering is good for me.

I don’t always know the what or why of the things that happen to me. Am I supposed to know? 

A Strong Faith

A healthy faith accepts the good with the bad. It gives thanks in all circumstances. However, when does the deliverance happen? Where is the shield that protects me?

Perhaps it’s always there? If he lifted his shield of protection, even for a minute, would I  realize just how much he’s doing for me, in spite of my confusion, pain, and grief?

Some Confusion, Pain and Grief

1. our stillborn child
2. sudden, tragic deaths of family and friends
3. hurtful attacks from wolves in friend’s clothing

When experiencing those “strange things,” I don’t feel thankful, or delivered, or sense his shield is about me.

But later, I do. Strange, isn’t it?

We each face life’s trouble with our experiences and levels of faith, maturity, and knowledge. None of us are the same.

To Close

I’ve not yet found a simple theology that explains everyone’s pain and suffering to everyone’s satisfaction. So, I’ll leave you with this:

Paul wrote:

“—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.”

Don’t be scared of God, be in awe of him, and respect and humble yourself for he works his purpose within you and there is just no way to comprehend the depth of what that means.

“Strange things are afoot at the Circle-K.”

Well put Ted, there are indeed.

Shalom