November 2001
Page 1 - When Love Means War by Dr. Mark Herringshaw
Page 2 - Our Response to Suffering by Dr. Joe Johnson
Page 3 - The Master's Institute Opens Its Doors by Kathryn Calvert - Director of Administration
Page 4 - Directors Note
Our Response to Suffering
by Dr. Joe JohnsonWe are in the midst of tremendous suffering as a result of the unthinkable terrorist attack on America on September 11th. How do we respond to this suffering from the evil deeds of terrorists?
1. Express deep respect for the traumatic stress of rescuers and great loss of loved ones. When Job's three friends heard about his suffering, they met at his home. When they saw him they could hardly recognize him. They wept aloud, tore their robes, and sprinkled dust on their heads. They sat on the ground with him for seven days and nights without saying a word because they saw how great his suffering was. This is an expression of deep respect and compassion. No easy answers were given to why he was in pain. I believe Jesus has been weeping with those who are suffering.
2. Ask "how" instead of "why." In order to grow through suffering, we ask the "how" question instead of the "why" question. In John 9 we read, "Walking down the street, Jesus saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked, 'Rabbi, who sinned; this man or his parents, causing him to be born blind?' Jesus said, 'You're asking the wrong question. You're looking for someone to blame. There is no such cause-effect here. Look instead for what God can do'" (The Message).
Why was he blind? They wanted to know. But like Jesus with his disciples, God rarely answers my "why" questions. In His mercy He doesn't give pat, simplistic responses to my pain and confusion. I probably do not even have good holding places for whatever the answer would be. Instead, as I turn toward Him, He frequently redirects my question, as He did for the disciples to ask "how", rather than "why." "Lord, how will you bring life out of this tragedy? How will you show me that you are a merciful God, a good God, even in this unjust circumstance?"3. Remember that God is sovereign over suffering. God does not send suffering. We pray to God to protect us from suffering: "Deliver us from evil." There is a mystery of unanswered questions with evil and suffering. We confess, "God, you are God, and I am not God." God uses suffering to accomplish his purposes in the world. God used Stephen's suffering and death to bring salvation into Paul's life. God used the persecution of believers to get them scattered out of Jerusalem into Samaria (Acts 8:1-3). This terrorist attack provided an opportunity for Billy Graham to speak the Gospel to the entire world at the same time. He spoke at the National Memorial Service which was broadcast on every major television station in the US and by satellite to the world. Every country in the world received this broadcast and because it was a geo-political event, every leader watched and heard it translated into his/her language.
4. Fight against suffering and evil. We do not accept suffering passively. Peter and the apostles said, "We must obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29). Father ten Boom and his daughters, Corrie and Betsie, helped hide Jews in Holland. When they were discovered, he said to the Nazi's, "We have done nothing wrong." Jesus said, "In the world you will have trouble. But take heart, I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). We participate with Jesus by ministering to the suffering. We fight against the powers of darkness in prayer. We say "no" to evil. We may use force to protect people from evil. We set up boundaries with those who are treating us harmfully. We fight against the lies of the accuser when we are going through suffering.
5. Pray for faith to endure. Enduring faith is that which does not quit (Hebrews 12:3). I ask God to give me enduring faith. The Greek word for endurance, hupomone, is not passive resignation, but an active resistance to defeat. "…Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us "(Hebrews 12:1). The words patience and endurance are used interchangeably in the New Testament. The Greek word for patience, makrothumia, means to suffer long (1 Cor. 13:4, Gal. 5:22-23). I also draw strength from others to endure.
6. Bear one another's burdens through intercessory prayer. God used the intercession of the believers to save Peter's life (Acts 12). God lifts the load of overwhelming grief through intercession. We do not take on the person's pain from them. We do not take the person's place. Jesus does that. We do not substitute ourselves for Jesus. We all have a breaking point, and it is then that we need others to be with us and to help us carry our burdens.
7. Receive comfort and encouragement from the Scriptures.
We phone 911 when we need help. The terrorist attack happened on September 11(9-11). We call out Psalm 91:1 for help: "Father, I praise you that I dwell in the secret place of the Most High and that I shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty (Whose power no foe can withstand). I will say of you, Lord, 'You are my refuge and my fortress, my God, on You I lean and rely and in you I confidently trust'" (The Amplified Bible).Dr. Joe Johnson is Senior Pastor at Grace Lutheran in Show Low, AZ. He is also a Lutheran Renewal Board member, and one who has been a burden bearer for so many of us.
