Is all “suffering” the same?

“Suffering is suffering is suffering.” 

This is a quote I read in a book last year. At the time, I agreed, but as I’ve continued to study the scriptures this year, I’m rethinking.

In fact, I need to contact the author and let her know I think this is incorrect. So, that’s what I’m doing …

The author was me. (smile)

See, I’ve always thought that: suffering is suffering is suffering. That is, whether it’s sickness or hardship or persecution or emotional pain, it’s all vaguely classified as hard stuff, right? Or, in a biblical term, trials. Right? And so our response is basically the same–Rejoice.  Scripture says to rejoice when we face various trials, knowing that the testing of our faith produces perseverance (James 1:2-3).

We can safely surmise, then, that it is God’s will that we suffer because that produces perseverance in our lives. So we can gladly accept any hard stuff, whatever it is, right?

Well …

A close look at Scripture reveals some interesting nuances; here are a few observations..

Please note: My prayer for us is that we simply make these as observations, and are slow to draw final conclusions or judgments. We are in the process of studying God’s Word and it’s a process. *smile*

1. No godly person in Scripture ever died young of disease. (They were either martyred or lived long lives–God “fulfilled the number of their days” Ex. 23:26).
2. MANY godly persons in Scripture died as martyrs (i.e. persecution). In fact, all the disciples except John died martyr’s deaths. John died of old age after a long life.
3. Jesus completely healed every single sick person who came to him. (While certainly not every single sick person was healed during Jesus’ time on earth, but all who came to Him were. That is, Jesus never said “no” to a person requesting healing.)
4. Jesus did nothing to prevent the martyrdom of John the Baptist, who was beheaded.
5. The “prescription” for those suffering, is to pray (James 5:13)
6. The “prescription” for those sick is to “call for the elders and let them anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven” (James 5:13).
7. In Scripture, the suffering of persecution was a sign of godliness, a crown, an honor, a way of identifying with Jesus’ suffering on the cross (Heb. 10:34, Phil 3:10, Heb 11:32-38)
8. In Scripture, the suffering of sickness was a sign of sin (NOT necessarily that particular individual‘s sin but the general decaying effect of sin) and the curse and was removed by the power of Jesus’ finished work on the cross (Matt 8:17).
9. The Great Commission (to make disciples) was 3-fold: 1)Preach the gospel 2) Cast out demons 3) Heal the sick.  The early church prayed specifically, when they were being actively persecuted and their lives were in danger, “Grant to your servants to continue to speak your words with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus” (Acts 4:29).
10. Although the persecuted are promised special blessing in the beatitudes (Matt. 5:10-12), there is no such reward or promise for the sick.
11. In the promised “hardships of ministry” (1 Cor. 6:4-10) sickness and disease are nowhere mentioned. Persecution and poverty, yes. Disease, no.

Now, please hear my heart–that last thing I intend to do is to discourage the sick by saying there is no promised blessing or by pointing out that no godly person in scripture died of sickness. The LAST thing that sick folks need is discouragement!

My point is this: We need to pray in-line with God’s will, with confidence knowing how we are to pray and respond to various types of suffering. And although yes, we ARE to rejoice always (again I say rejoice!), we also need to armed with the truth and pray effectively.

We tend to resist any form of persecution and pray resolutely against it and yet we lie down and accept sickness and diseases of all forms. It’s backwards! Jesus said to rejoice when we are persecuted for His name, but to lay hands on and heal the sick. [bctt tweet=”Jesus said, Rejoice when we are persecuted and heal the sick.”]

Why? I don’t know the answers, but I do know that it all has to do with displaying God’s power and furthering His kingdom.

I hope and pray to know better the powerful love and will of Jesus, and to know His heart. As best as we can, let’s pray in accordance with His will, knowing He hears. Amen? Thank you so much for reading.