Learning to Suffer Well

I have been in bed for the past three days recovering from a 7-hour chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer.  There is extreme pain in the bones, nausea and other side effects that I will spare you from.  I can however with all honesty say I have learned to suffer well.  The scriptures and talking with God through prayer have been a huge source of my comfort.  I am preparing lessons for next year’s bible study and doing quite a bit of personal reading on the side.  Other than television, there isn’t much else to do when confined to bed.  I wish you could understand how the comfort of my Savior has been with me.  After all, He above all knows what it means to suffer well. 

One of the Bible’s most misquoted and used verses comes from Philippians 4:13 “ I can do all things through him who strengthens me”.  You see it tattooed on professional athletes and shouted from the goal posts.  I too have often quoted this verse in various situations.  But this verse doesn’t apply to only winners scoring a touchdown or acing an exam.  When the Apostle Paul wrote this, he had just been brutally beaten and was imprisoned for his faith.  Prison is certainly enough to defeat anyone’s spirit.  But, instead of grumbling and shaking his fist at God for his difficult circumstances, Paul chose to have patience, to endure his trials.  Why?  Well, look to the preceding verses for the answer.

“I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.  I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound.  In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”(4: 1-13).   

We are to turn to God in ALL situations and look to Christ for hope when trials come.  We are to quote this verse when the battle is won as well as in defeat.  Fighting cancer right now is the battle I have been handed.  I am not going to let my sufferings rob me of the joy I have in the hope of my eternal life with Christ in Heaven.  I also get to spend a LOT more time talking with him during these long days and nights in bed.  I refuse to allow the enemy of God to harden my Spirit.  In fact, I am holding on to the comfort and hope the Holy Spirit provides in these battles.  I can because I have faith that Christ paid the ultimate wages to God for my sins, through his death and resurrection.  Christ suffered for me and you so that we can receive comfort offered by his Father. 

What ever battle you are in, know that you too can have eternal comfort of the Father.  But in the mean time, we will face many personal struggles on earth.  Will you choose to suffer well, as Christ suffered for you?