Insight Into Suffering

Those West Virginia Hills

One of my grand heroes of the Christian faith is the author and apologist, C. S. Lewis.
In our time, he is probably most known for his series, 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe' and Narnia series; due in large to the movies which have been produced in recent years.

Clive Staples Lewis

Yet, C. S. Lewis wrote many other works; gathering accolades from the theological world,
rivaling some of the finest works in history by placing the Christian faith in understandable terms without compromising the truth of Christ.

While I have enjoyed C. S. Lewis' works for many years, my favorite story involving him come from reality; it is from his own life and it involves horrible pain, rather than Christian bliss.

Joy Davidman

At age 53, C. S. Lewis met Joy Davidman Gersham, who would become his future wife.
Joy was the total opposite of Clive Staples; she was sassy, divorced, Jewish then claimed to be an atheist and afterwards converting to Christianity, and,  horror of horrors, she was a former card-carrying member of the American Communist Party.
Lewis described his marriage with her as 'exquisite rapture.'

After 40 months of marriage, Joy Lewis died of bone cancer; it was later stated that her husband thought of their marriage as 'unplanned bliss clouded with cancer.'
She was only 45 years old when she died; a crushing blow of severe grief would be that result for any person losing their spouse after enjoying such a blessed time together.

Maybe 'blessed bliss' is an  understatement; for their love story has been preserved in the theatrical production and later movie, 'Shadowlands.'

As in his joy, C. S. Lewis' grief was just as powerful.
A year after her death, in 1961, Lewis published, 'A Grief Observed' which was derived from notebooks he had kept during his bereavement over his wife's death.
In it, Lewis, who was world-known for his religious convictions and writings, describes being dealt such a blow by her death, that it shook him to the core and even caused him to question his own faith.

Immense grief, horrid tragedy and massive suffering will do that to even the most faithful Christian.
No person should ever feel guilty when asking God of their pain and tragedy which they do not understand; our brain placed against the infinite mind of God means that we will always have questions, for we cannot fully grasp all of which God commands.
When we do not understand or lack control over our situation in life, we certainly may have questions but we can also have full trust that God is guiding the situation to its rightful end.
But how can we be sure?

Well, I'm sure of God always bringing things to their rightful end because I have had that experience; the experience of Cancer adjusts your thinking and places an individual in a totally new and different mindset for the rest of their lives.

The story is told of theatrical play with many people sitting in the audience; one of which is hiding a transistor radio, discreetly listening with an hidden earpiece.
Suddenly, amid the scene on the stage, the man with the radio exclaims, 'The President has been shot!'
It was 22 November 1963 and he had announced the assassination of President Kennedy; in that moment, reality caused other things to become instantly superficial.

That is what the pain of Cancer, the physical suffering of my disease or even the emotional pain caused by those who once were called 'friends,' this is what theses things do in our lives.
These things and all suffering of all stripes interrupt our small world with a news flash from another world; readjusting our hearts and minds onto the things that we know to be more important.

Years ago, I began ministry in a trauma hospital; someone died every day.
That was a tough time and it is a tough ministry when your sole job is to attempt to shine God's light of truth into extremely emotional and painful situations.
Yet, that time taught me that a faith that truly matters, a faith which really means something and is worth adhering to, that faith should penetrate all areas of our lives - including and especially pain, death and suffering.

Ministry has taken many turns in my life over the years; first in hospitals, then on the streets, then in a local church and among the Armed Forces.
I have been thankful for the opportunity God has given me in them all; but today, surviving Cancer has given me an unique insight to suffering.
As such, I am able to 'herd words' together; isolating issues, pain, insights and thoughts directed toward those who are suffering or even dying.
These few words, I pray, make a difference.

In time, I believe that it has been a privilege to suffer and to be allowed to bring these insights to this space.
One thing I have discovered about ministry itself is that it tends to invite the sin of pride; especially the preaching ministry.
Every minister must continually remember that Pride is the mother of all sins; it was the Original Sin of Lucifer before the throne of God.
Yet, disease, pain and suffering has a way of humbling a person and keeping them humble as they recognize every breath as the gift of God which it is.

The insight and value of suffering is largely missed by the current generation of American Christians.
One reason is societal - this generation has never truly had to suffer for anything; rather, we have lived in an era of safety and plenty with no real concept of the hardships/ravishes of depression or war while we have enjoyed the cures and vaccines for once deadly diseases.
The shortsightedness of my generation is truly amazing; it would do us all well to look to the past and learn from our elders.
I have learned much from the past.
As one said, I am a 'Younger Dinosaur.'

Baptist Dinosaur - It has a 'Hard Shell.'

The description of a Younger Dinosaur? 
Well, it is a committed Christian, living in a secular age against the societal tide, who is fed by truth-telling songs and centuries-old literature.
By that definition, I'm glad I am a Dinosaur.

As such, a Christian is able to look around them in this life, during good and difficult times and see His beauty in the ordinary; observing and enjoying the designs by God's own hand.
And when pain hits, suffering comes or a death wreaks unexpected havoc, I see these things and know that God hasn't given up on the human race.
You see, our life in this world is something like a rehearsal for the next; pain causes us to refrain from viewing Earth as our final home.

So, the real questions of life about our suffering and pain is simply this:
'As a Christian, do I make believable the truth and promises of God?'
'Am I able to do this in times of Pain as well as Joy?'

Jesus did - but do I?
Do you?
Does the local Church?

I don't think so; I think we are far too selfish and concerned with our own pleasure rather than God's glory through all things.

Pleasure is a good thing in its proper context; it is God's own invention, not ours.
But life's delights, pleasures and joys are not good enough to last into eternity.
Our desires and delights are too small, for our vision is too limited; blind by the flashing lights of this age.

Yet, for all of its defects, this world still bares the marks of its original design, which anticipates the Creator's return in calling us to remember His intent.
And while the issue of pain and suffering may not be solved in this world nor in our personal lives; one day, pain, death and suffering will all be redeemed by the Lord.

And that is a day I am looking to with much hope.
Until next time, win one for the good guys.