Suffering Alone

 

 There is not a lonelier place than the place of suffering. Loneliness in the absence of pain feels uncomfortable, but loneliness in the midst of suffering feels unbearable.

 

It is hard to suffer alone, yet we do. Even with close friends and family, no one experiences the physical, mental, and emotional pain like the one who is afflicted. The anxiety of wondering when or if it will end weighs heaviest on the heart that is weighed down.

 

But Jesus, He understands.

 

Sometimes in our suffering we imagine the worst, yet we hope for the best. Even Jesus did this when He prayed in the Garden.

 

“...Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless not my will, but yours, be done.” (Luke 22:42)

 

His Father did not choose to take away His suffering but instead provided strength for it.

 

“And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him.” (Luke 22:43)

 

You might think that extra strength gave Him peace and a little rest, but that is not what happened.

 

“And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” (Luke 22:44)

 

I am not diminishing your agony. I am not saying I understand.

 

But I am saying Jesus understands. He suffered alone so you would not have to.

 

Alone. It was not that Jesus did not have any stick-by-your-side kind of friends. Peter told Him-

“Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” (Luke 23:33).

That is more of a commitment than most of us have been given lately. But when it came right down to it and Jesus was praying in the garden, suffering with more suffering to come, we read….

 

“And when he rose from prayer, he came to his disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.” (Luke 22:45-46)

 

From time to time we will enter into temptation just like the disciples did. Our temptation to doubt and fear rather than trust in the midst of trials is great. Nonetheless God will strengthen us, help us to rise again each time we fall.

 

What we really want to know in times of suffering is not why or when but rather Who. Who will transform it or end it? God will. It is a promise to His children through Jesus. There is not a lonelier place than the place of suffering, and there is not a more desirable place than the arms of a Loving God. He suffered alone so we would not have to.
 

 

"From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who wait for him.” Isaiah 64:4,5 (ESV)