Dear Friends, I don’t know anyone who hasn’t at some time or another in the midst of a personal crisis asked that question of themselves or lamented it to others.
Too often the question has a simple answer; the woe we experience is a natural result of something we stupidly said or did, intended or not.
At other times there is no rational explanation for our adverse, maybe tragic situations. Suffering eventually befalls everybody, to some much more than others.
The Book of Job vividly illustrates that bad things do happen to even the best people. That fact of life challenges our humanistic sense of fairness. After all, how can a good God let innocent, even righteous persons suffer? And more experientially personal, why us?
That question involves a profound mystery to which there is no logical answer, apart from an absolute trust in our Heavenly Father; the One who created us and loves us far beyond this earthly life.
The traditional and perhaps obvious answer from preachers and Bible teachers is that sufferings we face in this dark and dying world are allowed by the Lord to make us stronger in our faith, eventually leading us toward perfection.
The process is metaphorically compared to the refining process of silver and gold which requires intense heat to burn off the worthless dross. There are many scriptures that support that doctrine, yet we often have difficulty in the moment of discomfort to find that promised perfect peace we so desperately need.
Mere intellectual assent to right doctrine is not enough to sustain us through all the tough personal issues that stand in the way of that “peace that passes all understanding.” Even the wisest platitude can sound empty in a time of trouble.
Something vital is missing without a deeply personal relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is the Word made flesh, Emmanuel, God with us, demonstrating by word and deed who God is and what He desires us to be.
Jesus lived a perfect life, having overcome every temptation and suffering possible, culminating in His death on the cross as the sacrificial Lamb of God that takes away the sins of those who would believe in Him and invite Him to live in them. He, who was without sin, became the epitome of sin so that we could become what He is, the Righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21). He submitted to becoming a curse to the Father whom He perfectly loved and with whom He had constant communion.
The significance of that obedient act is beyond human comprehension. How can we even begin to imagine the agony of His divine sacrifice? What amazing humility was required for Him to stand in our place of deserved condemnation and willingly embrace it as if it were His own! What amazing love He must have for us that He would give himself over to such pain and shame!
It deeply convicts me that I would ever take His sacrificial life and death for granted. It embarrasses me that I too often disregard His commands simply because I so easily lapse into my own self-serving ways and get lost in my petty personal issues. “Why me, Lord?” should not be a complaint, but rather a response to His amazing grace offered to the undeserving sinner that I am.
When I contemplate all of that, my heart cries out for a more perfect communion with my Savior, my Lord, and the lover of my soul. I can personally identify with the Apostle Paul’s words in his letter to the Philippians.
Verses 3:7-11 declare, “But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ — the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of is resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.” Amen.
Considering everything of significance I have ever done as “rubbish” requires a great deal of humility. The Greek word for rubbish can also mean “dung.” That should give everyone pause before they boast about any perceived achievement, doesn’t it?
In any case, whatever I have accomplished has been a product of God’s grace and I can only boast in Him. Ephesians 2:8-10 reminds me: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
We were created “in Christ Jesus” to a destiny of service on His behalf. What a privilege and honor it is to serve the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. How in the world could I complain about whatever cost might be required?
It was by faith that I asked for it when I declared, “Here I am, Lord, send me” (Isaiah 6:8). Furthermore, I have learned that God never calls you to do something you are able to do without His help. His Holy Spirit, our counselor and comforter, is always ready to guide and empower us through every situation.
Over my many years of life I have come to better appreciate Paul’s assuring words in Romans 8:28; “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” There is both encouragement and challenge in that scripture.
Sometimes for our “good” doesn’t look all that great … at the time. Our faith that the Lord loves us and knows what He is doing is vital, especially when whatever He is using for our good feels a lot like suffering. That’s when my flesh cries out, “Why me, Lord?”
Then the Holy Spirit reminds me that I was called according to His purpose, so why not me? Whatever the cost, I will count it pure joy (James 1:2).
Thank you for your kind and generous support. I never take it for granted. I have an exciting upcoming mission trip early his month and l appreciate in advance your prayers for good health and safe travels.
God bless you
LeRoy
[LeRoy Curtis is a graduate of the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and Asbury Theological Seminary. He served four years as a U.S. Naval Officer after which he became a pastor, Bible professor, educator, author, and missionary living in E. Africa for eight years where he and his wife developed a curriculum of biblical studies for untrained pastors in rural Kenya. His passion for training young church leaders takes him to various parts of the U.S., Latin America, and Africa. He and Judy are currently residing in Carrollton, Georgia.]
