Living on the Road to Suffering

Let me share with you the three roads of suffering the Holy Spirit used to lead me to preach this morning on suffering and joy.

First, there is the road called the season of Lent, a season when people often reflect on Jesus as He walked on that path called the Via Dolorosa, the way of suffering that led to the cross.

This led me to reflect on how paths of suffering are another means of grace in our lives like baptism and the Lord’s Supper.  We have already considered living under the water of baptism and living at the table of our Lord.  How can we live on the road of suffering as another one of God’s means of grace, when He show us the glory of His grace in our afflictions.

Second, there is the horrendous suffering going on in Ukraine.  I am burdened by the images pouring out of Ukraine.  The media bombardment is not good for our souls.  Our souls are not meant to carry the weight of that much evil, pain and suffering.

The third path of suffering the Spirit used is the many people in our flock who are suffering from various trials, physical, mental or emotional.  Our prayer list seems longer than usual and the needs seem greater.  We buried two of our members this week.  I made two trips to the hospital.  We are praying for at least seven we know about, I am praying for a few others I know about, and then there are those who’s suffering is known only to them.

In the sovereign, mysterious and hard providence of God a number of us are going through some significant trials.