Pastor's Message

July 2005

This year, and especially the past few weeks, I have found myself reflecting on the problem of suffering. We have seen a great deal of suffering this year, from the global crises of the Tsunami and the terrorism that is reported to us daily from Iraq, to injuries, terminal illnesses and deaths that have been the burden of several who are near and dear to us personally.

But what can we say regarding human suffering? Books have already been written on this subject, some very good books, but when suffering comes close to us, even if we have read the books, the essence and wisdom of what has been written seems to escape us, or it doesn’t quite seem relevant in our situation. So what can we say, what can we do? Let me share a few of my thoughts.

First of all, it really doesn’t get us anywhere to ask the question, “why” in any form, from “why me? to “why did this have to happen?” Even if we did get this answer, would it do any good? Or would the answer, if there is one, upset us even more?

Instead, our first response should be to thank God. Thank God that it wasn’t worse. Thank God that it wasn’t me. Thank God no one else was hurt. Or as Paul writes to the Thessalonians (5:16-18), “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances.” Remember, regardless of how bad things seem, there is still something for which we can give thanks.

Thanks is just the first form of prayer, but the second form of prayer is intercession. Pray for the one who is ill, the one who is injured or the one who is suffering. Sometimes our prayers are rather sweeping – for healing and full recovery. Sometimes, for example when we are told a person has a “terminal illness,” our prayers might be more specific, as we pray for peace or freedom from pain. Sometimes our prayers can be very specific, like John and Deb’s request that we pray for the pressure in Hannah’s brain to decrease. When we pray such specific prayers, we tie ourselves to the one for whom we are offering our prayers in a more intimate way than when we pray more broadly, although God hears our prayers either way.

Which leads me to the next step: connect to the one who is suffering. The best way is to visit. It isn’t so important that you have the right words to say when you visit – in fact, sometimes there are no right words. Sometimes no words are necessary at all. Just be there. And don’t be afraid to touch. Sometimes the one suffering needs a hug.

Sometimes that isn’t possible and so just a touch on the arm or a handshake can provide a meaningful connection. If it is not possible to physically be there, we can call, send a card, an e-mail note or even a greeting through another person who is going to visit. Regardless of how you do it, let your prayers be followed by a sincere effort to connect to the one who is suffering.

Fourth, when possible, do something. We often place the burden of initiative on the one suffering by saying, “If you need anything, let me know.” But sometimes it is really hard for the person going through a hard time to ask for help. So sometimes we just have to go and do something. Maybe we send some food, or maybe we can give the care-giver a break by staying with the one who is suffering, or maybe we can give a gift.

Sometimes we can do something personal for the one who is suffering, such as walking their dog or taking in the mail, or sometimes we can join in a community effort, such as the community fund-raising dinner we are planning to benefit Hannah and her family. And sometimes we can just give a gift of money to help the suffering one through a difficult time.

When we see suffering, the appropriate question is not, “Why?” but rather, “What can I do about it?” There are good answers to that question. Pray. Connect. Lend a hand. With each of these we are living out our faith as we demonstrate our reliance on God, our love for one another and our compassion for those in need. May we always be ready to live the faith we profess.