“For many of us, the How It Started of our faith is a carefree belief in a God who promises to keep us safe, who has plans for us to prosper and does not wish to harm us. . . . As long as we didn’t suffer too much, we could believe the story that happiness was the main course and pain the aberration: we could keep the problem of suffering as an academic thought experiment.”- Catherine McNiel and Jason Hague
In Chapter 7 (“When Suffering Consumed Us”) of Mid-Faith Crisis, Catherine McNiel and Jason Hague note that today everyone hopes to live a long life. Furthermore, we expect that, for the most part, we’ll pursue happiness and fulfillment. With sadness and suffering relegated to the margins. As a result, we only need to survive occasional interruption or detours before we get back on our main story road.
However, our modern life and modern faith often fail to teach us to expect suffering. Or train to prepare for it. Hence, for some of us, that happiness story blows to pieces early on. While others manage to stay in the bubble into their teenage years. And sometimes, even into adulthood.
Certainly, we see awful, awful things on the news or via cell phone notifications. Yet, we secretly believe those awful things only happen to others –and for good reason. Also, even if the carnage fails to make sense mow, we know it will someday. So, in the meantime, we pray for a hedge of protection.
In conclusion, Catherine and Jason observe:
“We know life is full of pain and trouble — at least intellectually. We know everyone dies, that everyone suffers in the meantime. But when it hits, we’re blindsided by pain and shock. It doesn’t seem fair — whatever fair means. When we can no longer hold on, many of us respond [by] . . . pushing away in anger at the one Being in the universe who has all knowledge, all power.”
Or, we draw close to Jesus. We trust in His presence to sustain and comfort us in our pain.
Today’s question: When do people view suffering as an academic thought experiment? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Catapulting our catastrophes”