Hopeful Suffering
I’m in pain as I write this.
I can pretty much guarantee that I will be in pain whenever you happen to read this.
This is not your typical pain. It’s not a sore back, or a bum knee, arthritic hip or bad shoulder.
My pain is kidney stone pain. Kidney stones are legendary for being some of the worst agony that human beings can experience. I know men who have been shot, and pierced with shrapnel, who would prefer that to a kidney stone. Most women who have experienced both childbirth and kidney stones feel that the pain was worse with the stones. I’ve had more than one stone that led me to pray for death.
I won’t bore you with the medical details, but I been suffering with this crazy level of pain for seven years. I don’t mean I’ve had kidney stones regularly for seven years. Although, I did have that experience in the past, for ten years, actually. But I mean, I have been in kidney-stone-level-pain that has never stopped for seven years. All day. Every day. No time off for holidays.
The main point I’m trying to make here is that I know a little bit about ongoing affliction. I know I’m not the only one who is dealing with something tough. I’ve met plenty of people I wouldn’t trade places with. But I think I have some credibility when it comes to talking about suffering.
So, I’m suffering. I’m also a man of faith. I’ve been a pastor for twenty-five years. Jesus Christ is my light, my love, my life. I’ve devoted my life to studying the Bible. How do I reconcile my suffering with my faith? What kind of hope can we really count on in this life? What sorts of things should you say to someone who suffers? What gets me through the night? What gets me up in the morning? Where can I find comfort?
This space is devoted to those sorts of questions. There will be few, if any, easy answers. Platitudes are anathema. We’re going to get real, and messy, because my own life is real and messy. But in my own journey of suffering, I have found hope. Sometimes it feels a bit hard and cold, and yet, the hope has always remained real, and solid. I invite you to join me in the journey as we explore suffering, pain, and hope.