Kerry Hasenbalg: Our Suffering

For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. 2 Cor. 1:5

Growing up, whenever I would hear about the sufferings of Christ, my mind would go to Christ's personal suffering on the cross and the trials and beatings which led up to His actual death.

I knew it was important that I understand His sufferings as much as possible; as a result, I would do all I could to imagine what that might have been like for him going to the cross. I suppose the main goal was to understand what a profound sacrifice He made so I could be forgiven and that it would bring about a gratitude which compelled me to further obedience.

Although I had heard many sermons throughout the years about how we are partakers in Christ's sufferings, I seemed to keep His sufferings and my sufferings quite separate. I suppose I got as far as the realization that He knows our pain (because His was greater) and that I can somehow take comfort in that. I suppose I also got as far as the fact that since the Bible says we will all suffer for Christ's sake, I knew I had to experience a level of rejection from the world because of my faith. And that this was good in a heavenly sense.

But today, as I knelt in church, listening to the pastor read of the names of those who are sick with cancer or have just experienced the death of their own loved ones or are suffering in other terrible ways, I realized that these very specific human sufferings are Christ's sufferings. These people, whose names were being called, are members of His very own body. And then tears began to flow from my eyes without ceasing as the Lord reminded me that my sufferings are His sufferings too!

A few days ago, My friend, Jen and I went to visit our precious sister in the Lord, Laura, whose newborn son is still in NICU. (please pray for baby Charley). While we were there, I met Laura's father-in-law who is a dear brother in the Lord. We got talking about suffering and how difficult the choice can be to rejoice in even these difficult things. He said,"Several years back I had an accident with my table saw and cut off all these fingers on my one hand."....and He lifted his hand to show me the scars on the fingers which had been sown back on and the the stump where the hand could not be repaired. He then went on to tell me a story about how God used this tragic incident to bless his own son...He explained how the series of events which began to unfold at the hospital eventually led to his own son's future career.

And you know, that man's hand has flashed in my mind several times since the Lord reminded me again of his suffering body - who is US. When we walk away from God and choose not to be a part of Him, it is as if Christ's own digits are being cut away from his hand. When we become broken, He is broken with us and for us. When my children are hurt and bleeding, it as if my own heart is hurt and bleeding. I really believe that God feels this way for us His children.

We are His broken body....broken for a broken world, being poured out for the sake of others just as He was poured out for our sakes.

In church today, My Savior ministered a very comforting thing to my very weary heart. Jesus hurts with me because I am a part of Him.

Lord Jesus,

You know my deepest desires and my most earnest requests and I believe that you hear my prayers. I know it is right to ask for your will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. So, I do, I ask for your will. And with that request I also humbly ask for your mercy for my family and those whom you have entrusted to me. Have mercy on your people Lord. Heal your people Lord - Heal us! In Jesus Name, Amen