Hurtin’ for Certain

How do I respond to pain and suffering?

Life is beautiful but at the same time, full of brokenness and suffering. Most of us have experienced some degree of pain and suffering in our lives. Suffering comes in all shapes and sizes. Because of this, we should not compare our suffering to others. Instead, the question is: how do we respond to suffering in our lives?

Suffering is complex and comes from many different directions. An example is the story of Joseph from Genesis 37-50. We learn that Joseph telling his brothers about his dream brought self-imposed suffering. But when his brothers made the choice to sell him as a slave, his suffering was outside his control. Suffering can also come in unexpected and unexplained ways when we least expect it.

Whatever the trial, we have a choice to make. We can either medicate or meditate. “Medicate” means using other things to escape the trial. Those things can be drugs or alcohol, relationships, or social media. Or we can choose to "meditate" on God’s promises.

Put another way, it is the choice of becoming bitter or becoming better. Joseph's brothers betrayed him, threw him in a ditch, sold him as a slave, and that is only the beginning of his story! He was falsely accused, thrown into prison, and forgotten by someone he helped. But in the end, Joseph chose to “get better.” He didn’t allow his circumstances to alter his view of God. Years later, he saw his brothers again. He said that although they meant to harm him, God used it for good to save many lives. Joseph had many reasons to be bitter, especially toward his brothers, but he chose a better path.

The challenge is not to avoid or manage suffering but to instead lean into God when we encounter trials. Trusting in God’s sovereignty is our best response. Sovereignty is a phrase that can describe a king's rule over a kingdom. In this context, it means that God is in control.

In some ways, this is comforting. In other ways, this can be frustrating. It’s hard when we do not understand "what" is happening or "why." In those times, we cling to God’s power, promises, and presence. Psalm 34:18 says God is close to the brokenhearted. We do not always feel Him, but we can know that He is always there.

There is no wasted pain. Suffering is a refining process that can produce growth in us. It can bring about Christ-likeness and perspective. Also, it can strengthen our faith for the next challenge.

For athletes, suffering can look like many things. It could be an injury or sickness or a challenging team dynamic. A disagreement with a coach can mean less playing time than expected or desired. Even if you are not an athlete, suffering is a part of life. Do we get bitter and medicate? Or do we get better and meditate?

Suggested Prayer Ideas:

• Pray that Christian athletes, in the midst of hardship and suffering, would choose to trust in God’s sovereignty and lean into Him.
• Pray for Christian athletes to be an example, like Joseph, of choosing to get better in difficult times. Pray this would be an example to those who don’t know Jesus.
• Pray for the non-Christian athlete to turn to God in the midst of their suffering.

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