We often associate suffering with physical long-term illnesses or terminal diseases. As agonizing as these are, suffering encompasses more than physical pain. In reality, each of us will experience pain and hardship in our lives due to emotional distress. Losing a loved one, failing in business, or going through a bad breakup are just some of the things that can cause suffering.
Emotional suffering is a lot more difficult to detect than its counterpart but can affect everyone, even followers of Christ. The result is sometimes depression, anxiety, frustration, emotional numbness and anger. Often individuals feel like life has dealt them an unfair hand, especially if they feel they have tried their best to do life the right way yet still end up with undesired results. The good news is that we don’t need to stay stuck in these feelings forever.
Although periods of hardship are a challenging part of life, the way we respond to them does not have to be with devastation. Our response to situations can make all the difference. It all begins with our approach to the challenges we face.
Will you be hostile, angry and downhearted or will you treat this as a time to truly learn the art of humility and navigate what you are walking through with grace and patience?
Could God be allowing this for a greater purpose in your life? Could it be that He is trying to elevate you? Keep in mind that going deeper is the first step to going higher.
Our hardships come to teach us something. They are effective tutors and are arguably the primary way we learn tough lessons in life.
In fact, studies show that learning from failure causes our brains to grow. In this case, when we face a circumstance that is difficult and new to us, by learning to navigate life differently, we grow as a person. Our character is strengthened. Our empathy for others heightens. Our patience increases.
No one enjoys pain, but what it produces is incredible!
Romans 5:3-4
“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”
So in other words, character is not built when everything goes our way. In fact, if everything went our way, pride would threaten to consume us. If every strategy we attempted on the first try was successful, how would we learn grit?
See, we need hardships to grow. We don’t welcome sufferings with open arms but when they do come we know that the end of it will involve good things.
Romans 8:28
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Our natural response to hardships is negative. No one enjoys feeling beaten down, betrayed or feeling like a failure. But we can choose (ahead of time) to have a Godly, humble response. Ask the Lord what He is trying to teach you in this difficulty? Ask for His help in navigating it.
Many times we attempt to jump out of the fire instead of inviting God in, to cry with us, to comfort us, and to be our strength. Our suffering will be better handled if we accept it for what it is instead of trying to escape it.
In addition, being grateful even during hardships will protect you from bitterness, anger, and other destructive emotions. Remember that suffering elevates you. For suffering produces endurance and character. This is one of the reasons why our Heavenly Father would allow it. It is important that we decide that whatever hardship we experience, we will remain thankful, humble, and optimistic.
At times you have to search for the lessons the hardship is teaching you. These lessons will not only help you grow and become more well-rounded but it will equip you to help another person, perhaps several persons.
Your hardships are essentially priming you for the fulfillment of your life’s purpose.
Every hardship, every tough thing you face has an incredible gift connected to it. The gift of life lessons and experiences comes at a cost. What is your difficulty teaching you?
Nayanda
