“Suffering is precisely the point where the power of hope most clearly proves itself…Suffering receives a new meaning…If there were no suffering, hope would never have an opportunity to attain to its full strength”- (Nygren, pp. 195-6)
In the second reading today, Paul states that suffering produces endurance, endurance produces character, character produces hope and hope doesn’t disappoint because it is packaged in God’s love. At first I was in disbelief – to say that we should rejoice in our suffering seems crazy! But after pondering this, I think that Paul has a point.
A couple of years ago, my cousin was diagnosed with stage four glioblastoma multiforme (a brain tumor). He was less worried about having cancer than everyone else around him. He suffered from seizures, had to have surgeries and take many medicines, but he had hope and he never lost his good humor and cheerful character. At first glance, it might be confusing why he would have hope in all of his suffering and pain. Why wasn’t he angry at God? Why didn’t he wallow in his misery? Why wasn’t he in constant fear of death? Looking back on the situation, I think I know the answer. My cousin had a strong faith and was content in knowing that he was in the loving hands of his God. He was at peace. That isn’t to say that he gave up – he fought hard! – it just means that he had hope in God that he was going to get better. His fight showed his endurance: for months he never gave up and never let cancer win. This endurance did produce his character and his character did produce hope. And let me tell you, his hope was contagious.
We are all going to suffer. We are all going to go through trials and struggles. But can you ever see how bright the stars are without the darkness? Can you ever see a rainbow without going through a storm? Can you ever fully appreciate hope without struggles? There is a life where suffering and tears no longer exist. And there is a God who is carrying us through all our grief. So if you are grieving right now, if you are in pain and suffering, I hope you know how much our God loves you, and pray that in the midst of your grief, you find hope.
