As a pastor who counsels others from scripture, I repeatedly hear questions beginning with “Why”.  Why do I keep being rejected by others?  Why did I lose my job? Why did God allow me to be abused?  As someone, who spent years trying to figure out the answer to all of myWhy questions, I came to one conclusion…ask who instead.

Our suffering often times brings us to the questions of “Why?”.  There are multiple reasons given in scripture for suffering.  We must remember that we are living in a fallen world which means there will be consequences of our sins and the sins of others that directly invite death and difficulties into our lives.(Rom 3:23; 6:23)  There are times of suffering where we are being disciplined by our loving Father (Hebrews 12:6).  There are also times where we are being persecuted because of living for and lifting up the name of Christ (2 Tim 3:12, Matt 5:10)

Regardless of the reason, whether it be suffering birthed from sin or from standing for righteousness, suffering always opens a door to joy.  Suffering reveals to us our need for Christ and to walk in Him. It also gives us opportunity to respond differently than the rest of the world and thereby exalt Christ.  When we suffer we can see, feel, and experience what thousands of others are likewise enduring.  When we look to the cross what do we see?  The epitome of suffering, but also the unending joy of salvation.  For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weakness…He was obedient to the point of death even death on a cross!  Because of Christ endurance of suffering we have joy.

Rather than our eyes being focused on ourselves and uttering complaints of “Why me?”, why not ask “Who?”. Let us fix our eyes on Christ and ask instead, “Who is it Lord that needs the hope of salvation?”  Be watchful of who is going through what you are going through, but has lost sight of, or has never seen Jesus.  2 Corinthians 1:3-4(ESV) says:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

So I ask of you, are you complaining to or comforting others?  Are you seeing the joy that comes from encouraging others in the hope of salvation?  Is Christ really on the throne of your life?  Turn your eyes from yourself and fix them on Christ.  For the harvest is great and the laborers are few and the harvest is ripe.  Don’t be distracted by the sufferings of this life, instead draw near to Christ and ask whom shall I serve today Lord.  Who needs to see you, Lord and your faithfulness today?

Lord, I pray that you would keep our eyes fixed on Christ, the author and finisher of our faith as we endure the trials of this life.  Let these sufferings not distract nor be wasted, but in all things that you would be glorified..Amen!