WHY OUR SUFFERING IS OF KINGDOM VALUE

I guess Isaiah 53, of the Suffering Servant, is one of the Bible's more powerful revelations. 

Suffering is one thing that all humans have in common; we don't like it and don't want it.  However, it is central to life in the church via the message of the cross.

Pain blesses.  Few there are who dare walk such a narrow road with the joy of it in mind.

Suffering opens the heart to God and to others.  If viewed improperly, though, the reverse will happen and bitterness will override.  A reason the Holy Spirit is within us is to bear the fruit which would counter such festering anger.  We can't do battle over suffering moments on our own for their size seems to mount.  But the Spirit of God can flow this victory right through the center of our hearts via His size of love, joy, peace, patience, etc.

Laurens van der Post was held captive by the Japanese during World War II and almost died as a result.  After the war he discovered that War Crimes officers who had not suffered in the conflict were more revengeful and bitter about our treatment and our suffering in prison than we were ourselves.

When one only judges suffering, while having not lived in it, a critical and desperately angered nature will evolve.  All of this is surprisingly strange to me.  Yet, it is ultra important to experience.

I would sit in on meeting after church meeting where decisions would be made that I knew would discourage the congregation.  And, it proved true.  But in these repeated meetings, puzzled and inadequate as I was, I would wonder how God was going to deliver us.

I still don't know how.  I just know He did.  He taught me not to give up; on Him, on others, and on myself.  Struggle is a gift of God.  We tend to trash it when, rather, we should treasure it.

Jesus suffered agony for us.  He lived with such a goal in mind...and in heart.  He understands us because he suffered.  We understand him for the same reason.

Even in parenting I see advantages offered to children when allowed to remain in their suffering to learn rather than constantly provide way of immediate escape.  Children who do not hurt over matters in life--whether being bullied or suffering bias and neglect from other circumstances or people--will likely live at the shallow end of the pool. 

Such comments will go against the grain of the protectionary individual whose goal in their children's life is one thing above all others; safety.  I know it seems strange, certainly in our culture, but misery and struggle are key elements to finishing the course set before us.

Safety is not a church concept.  The kingdom is a suffering system.  It will not fly under any other mode.  Endurance is not a Sunday School topic; but rather a way of life for the true disciple.