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Mustard Seed November/December 2006
Why Did Christ Speak In Parables?
Why Me?
Mustard Seed - November/December 2006
Have you ever suffered and then blamed yourself for the situation that you are in? Often times we hear phrases like “God must be punishing me” or “maybe I don’t have enough faith., or God is punishing me for some sin or teaching me a lesson. All of-- or part of—the above could be true. If that is what you thought, you may be suffering needless guilt.
We know that people do suffer for their own moral lapses or sin (Lamentations3:39) But if suffering come only because of specific sins—or to teach lessons—then God is sending us mixed signals indeed.
Suffering is painfully random in the world. We can think of the innocent little children who suffer from terrible diseases. For what sin were these little ones responsible? Why do some people who do bad things not suffer much, or at all? Why do Christians suffer unequally? What about the unsuspecting victims of accidents or natural disasters?
The suffering-for-sin idea obviously can’t be a complete explanation for suffering. Yet it is a normal human reaction to blame others--even ourselves—for suffering. In Luke 13:1-5 notice what Christ said about the 18 people that were killed by a collapsing tower, did not die because they were worse sinners than others. Jesus turned the issue raised to more important considerations. He said everyone would die—he meant eternally—if they didn’t repent. Jesus implied we can reflect upon suffering, our own and others, and see it as a general warning about the fragile nature of life.
However, Jesus resisted the notion that a specific instance of suffering pointed to a specific sin or lesson. He redirected thinking from the past—the why of it all—to the future and God’s purpose for us.
On the other hand, sometimes we try to give some positive and specific meaning to our suffering. We might say “God is trying to teach me such and such” but can we know-- really know-- such and such a thing is true? Then sometimes the other idea comes to mind that some people suffer because they are stronger than other people and therefore are able to endure the agony, or strong enough to handle it.
The why of suffering is obviously too complex a question to be explained away by simple answers, especially for Christians . We know that time and chance happens to us all. (Ecc.9:11). We can look at some of the heroes in Hebrews 11—some were rescued—others not. They “conquered kingdoms, and gained what was promised, (Heb. 11:33) Shut the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword—And others had trials of cruel mockings and scourgings, --they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword.” ( verses 36-37) Yes, God gave protection and brought blessings to this group of faithful. But for some of these men of faith there were no obvious rescue or help from God.
Both groups consisted of people of faith. It was the same God working in both groups, but allowing different circumstances—some very traumatic—to occur in their lives.
This should encourage us not to automatically blame ourselves if we suffer. It also cautions us to be careful about assigning specific meanings to our trials, and that of others. Whatever we may be suffering, or how deep the pain and hurt we may be going through—we must always remember God is always worthy of our trust, even when it looks like the tower is coming down on us, do we need to ask—Why Me?
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