Catechism: The Bible And SufferingSample

If you’ve ever watched a woman labor in childbirth, you might wonder why anyone ever has more than one child.

But ask a woman to describe her experience, and she will probably say that the tidal wave of love and protectiveness she felt as soon as that baby was laid on her chest completely swept away all her memories of the pain she endured.

It's an analogy that the Bible applies to our current condition corporately and individually. The Bible speaks of creation groaning in labor, and the implication is that when the awaited glory comes, it will eclipse all our sorrow and suffering.

Don’t misunderstand.

This is not an attempt to negate the reality of the pain you suffer. The answer is not to pretend that life isn’t hard and you don’t actually struggle.

Instead, it is a recognition that there will be an end to sorrow and suffering.

It is the encouragement that what you long for, what your heart aches for, what your spirit hungers for with an intensity beyond words, that glory is so magnificent that it will eclipse what you are enduring now.

And until that day, God has sent the Holy Spirit as a deposit of His promise of eternity. It is no coincidence that the Holy Spirit is also called the Comforter.

His presence in your life inspires and strengthens you to hold fast to the hope of God.

• How has what you've read revealed God's truth about your suffering or sorrow?
• Knowing God's promises about eternity, how does that affect your perspective on your life's positive and negative circumstances?