A Moment With Pastor Fred

Dr. Paul Brand, a Christian orthopedic surgeon, spent the first of part of his medical career in India and the last part here in America. He wrote is his memoir, “In the United States … I encountered a society that seeks to avoid pain at all costs … Patients lived at a greater level of comfort than any I had previously treated, but they seemed far less equipped to handle suffering and far more traumatized by it.” 

That statement is pretty indicting of our culture. Now I confess, I like to be comfortable. We as Americans feel we’re entitled to it. No one is advocating suffering be pursued or preferred. Its just that somehow as believers many have failed to develop a biblical theology of suffering.  As a Christian God allows suffering or pain for reasons sometimes unknown to us. We’re not to rejoice in the trial – but rejoice in what the trial can produce – steadfastness, patient endurance, Ja 1:3. God has an agenda beyond our understanding.  We must trust him.     

Are we making heaven out of this world in which we live?  The truth is the more we ground our comfort and security in this world, the less we are able to enjoy it. When we turn good things into ultimate things, when we make them our greatest desires, they will disappoint us. Augustine said, “Thou hast made us for Thyself and our hearts are restless until they find rest in Thee.” 

May we find our ultimate satisfaction not in our comfort or circumstances but in God himself.  Ps 62:5 NIV, Yes, my soul, find rest in God;   my hope comes from him.