Why do bad things happen to good people?Suffering. It is a part of life as we all know, but it is just a word until you experience it for yourself.
Suffering brings with it many questions: Why did this happen to me? Where is God in my suffering? How would a good God allow me to suffer like this? For those of you who know me well, you know I am no stranger to suffering and questioning God in it. Suffering is a part of my story and while it was painful to walk through, it helped to shape my perspective and be able to relate to others enduring it. I recently read The Mystery of Suffering and the Meaning of God by Anson Hugh Laytner. Anson endured years of suffering, loosing many members of his family too soon from this world. The book was his way of working through the suffering and finding peace in the midst of his pain. Anson’s first point of reference in His suffering was to relate to Job. The book of Job is a classic example of suffering and questioning God in the pain. If you are not familiar with the story, here is a quick summary: Job, a blessed and upright man endures suffering upon suffering when God allows Satan to test him by bringing disaster to his household. As Job endures the suffering, his friends try to do what many people today do in the face of hardship; reason that hardships are a form of punishment for sinning against God. In the end what Job needed was a change of perspective. To take his eyes off the suffering, and step back to see the fullness of God. In The Mystery of Suffering and the Meaning of God, Anson writes about two significant lessons from his low point amidst the loss. The first was to “expect the unexpected, to let go of my plans and to lie as fully as I can by seizing the moment… Second, my sense of powerlessness in the face of suffering made me aware of my need of other people.” (p. 77) These are lessons I relate to and also learned walking through suffering. We make many plans in life but nothing is guaranteed. When we hold onto our plans loosely we are able to weather the storms of life better, especially if we have friends and family by our side. Through Anson’s suffering his core beliefs were shaken, as mine were upon loosing many of my loved ones too soon. He went back to foundational truths like who is God? Coming from a Jewish background, YHVH, the unutterable name of God was a starting point. Anson explains “the name YHVH suggests that God’s essence is forward looking and future orientated.” (p. 97) YHVH was the name God used when speaking to Moses. When Moses asked to see God, he is only allowed to see His back. Anson takes this to mean: “You can only see where I’ve been, but that’s not me, for I am in movement, always in the present/future.” (p. 97) I had never heard this meaning given to Moses only being allowed to see the back of God. In fact, there were many new to me, ideas presented in the book. While I don’t agree with many of the theological ideas Anson gravitates toward, I appreciate reading a book from the Jewish perspective. In a world where we can now selectively choose the perspective we get our information and news from, I believe listening to a different perspective is important. Even if we do not agree with a perspective, we can learn and appreciate where they are coming from. Listening to others who disagree with you is a skill I fear we are quickly loosing in this world. Anson shares also some universal truths on the subject of suffering and grieving. For anyone who has walked through a sustained season of grief, you know re-embracing life is often a struggle. For Anson it was a conscious choice, an expression of his hope for life renewed, and a fight against the urge to check out of life. My favorite quote from the book that summarizes the conclusion of suffering is this: “One cannot deny the reality of grief. It just has to be lived through and slowly integrated into your being until hopefully you re-emerge somewhat haled and somewhat whole- and always somewhat broken. But life goes on and that is good,” (p. 129). I have found that true for myself. The wounds of suffering remain long after the rest of the world has moved on. Embracing the brokenness, allowing yourself to fully feel and remember that life is good, regardless of the suffering experienced. We must be forward oriented like YHVH. Accepting what has passed and pressing into the the present and the future. Trying to rationalize suffering does not help us or others. Our human minds cannot find logical reasoning for the the suffering many good people endure in this world. But we can ease some of the suffering as we come together with others grieving, supporting them in the process of healing. #TheMysteryOfSuffering To grab your own copy of the book, find it here on Amazon. Connect with Anson Laytner on his website or Facebook. Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Speakeasy. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
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AuthorJessica Mutunga is passionate about good simple living that focuses on relationships, food and creating a supportive healthy environment. She is The Light Way Coach. Archives
May 2022
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