As Christians we accept the fact that suffering is just going to be part of our lives. We need not look for it, we cannot avoid it, and in some cases, there is not much we can do about it. Through the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ, however, we come to know that suffering is for a time but newness and fullness of life in Christ is forever.

            This having been said, I heard another infuriating ad on some social media outlet the other day. The ad began with the question, do you suffer from toenail fungus? The question is asked in a tone that suggest that this ailment is a heinous disease that if left untreated will lead to something unspeakable. The ad includes a list of side effects of this disease, embarrassment, the inability to wear opened toed shoes, and not being able to walk on the beach. With such serious side effects is it any wonder that this disease is the cause of such suffering.

            Unfortunately, I have been stricken with this horrible ailment for as long as I can remember. Truth be told, it has caused me absolutely no suffering. In fact, I forget I have it until I take my socks off. For me the many man colds that I have had are much more annoying than a harmless yet unsightly fungus that is growing on a part of my body that is hidden most of the time.

            While I am having a bit of fun with this non-life-threatening condition, the fact is that many in our world will indeed claim this as their cross to bear. Not only this but some will claim to be suffering simply because they have been convinced by the “voices” of the day that most anything can be the cause of suffering. Because of this, we can become so conditioned to see any slight inconvenience as a cause to lament and to claim to be suffering. We can claim our first world problems, slow internet, expensive cable, having to wait for most everything, as a cause for suffering.

            We need not look very far to see that there is in fact and truth real suffering in the world and probably right in our own families. There is the suffering that is caused by addiction that affects not only the addict but their loved ones as well. All over the world, and even in our own country there are people, a good portion of them children, who are constantly hungry and have no idea when they will have their next meal or from where it will come. Mental and physical illness plagues so many of us. Cancer touches every family and brings with it pain, fear, and a loss of so much freedom. Mental illness, often unseen and misunderstood makes life hard for individuals and families. Poverty, homelessness, abuse, human trafficking, and the list of honest to God suffering goes on and on.  

            As Christians we come to know the difference between suffering and inconvenience. We come to know that uniting our suffering to that of Christ means that we may also be united to his resurrection. Suffering, rather than something to run from, rather than something that we immediately seek to eliminate, as difficult as it may seem, is to be embraced. Just as we see the cross of Jesus Christ as the beginning of newness and fullness of life, so we see our suffering as a kind of baptism, cleansing us and preparing us for our exalted destiny.

            Suffering is the great equalizer. No one, not the rich or the poor, not atheist or religious, not liberal or conservative will go through this life without suffering. Indeed, some will suffer more than others, and some will just seem to suffer more because they see every inconvenience as a cause for suffering. Some will suffer in silence and others will broadcast every pain and every struggle. All the while we will hear from different voices telling us that suffering is useless and there is a pill, a plan, an exercise that can eliminate it from our lives.

            Jesus, the constant truth teller, does not ever hide the fact that his followers will need to carry a cross. He never hides the fact that his followers will need to reject the easy way of life. He clearly explains the difficulty his followers will face in a world that is more and more secular. This is not, however, a reason to be afraid, to seek a different path, to look for happiness elsewhere. Instead, Jesus prepares us for struggle so that we have the strength to persevere. He tells us of suffering to encourage us when we are overwhelmed. Finally, through his own suffering he reveals to us that suffering is temporary, and resurrection is eternal.