Holding On in Suffering: Understanding

Psalms 119:107107 I have suffered much; preserve my life, LORD, according to your word. (NIV)

Suffering.

Our passage this week comes from an anonymous author. Theologians speculate that perhaps it was written by David or Ezra. Perhaps the Holy Spirit intended these words to be ascribed to no one in particular, so we understand that suffering is common to everyone.

We cannot consider suffering without also acknowledging that God, in His absolute power, could stop all suffering. Yet He allows it, which can be difficult and confusing. To grasp the concept of suffering, we must also accept the truth that Lucifer—the devil—is real and driven by a passionate commitment to destroy our lives. He would rather we not experience good, even if it is as small as a mustard seed. He wants to sift us like wheat, just as he tried to do to Peter.

God could stop all suffering but knowing that Satan is chomping at the bit to ruin even the tiniest joys, we realize that God is not allowing the devil to accomplish much of what he desires. The vast majority of suffering that could occur simply does not. For this, we are thankful.

If God is restraining the greater part of Satan’s work—even for the unbeliever—why does He allow any suffering at all? The Bible teaches that suffering is a necessary part of His perfecting process in us. He is chiseling out sin like a sculptor removes unnecessary pieces of marble. He is shaping us into His image, which is good for us and for those around us. Yet no one enjoys the subtractive process, where part of who we are is removed through suffering. The pain can be unbearable. As our psalmist writes, even the suffering God allows can feel like it threatens to destroy our lives.

Suffering is an inflection point. When we hold on to the Lord, we are refined and blessed, and His favor in our lives increases. But if our grip on Him loosens, suffering can overwhelm us.

Our psalmist’s prayer is for the Lord to help him hold on, even in suffering, so that his life would be preserved. We, too, need God’s help in these times so that we can emerge from suffering with His favor, more like Him, for ourselves and for those we love.

Prayer: Lord, preserve me in my suffering. Help me hold tightly to You in the pain. Amen.