BY BRONWYN MISON

e often hear people say, "Life isn't fair." Since that day in Eden when a fruit was too good to resist, humankind has struggled to make sense of pain and hurt. Tragedy impacts our lives, taking on different forms and meanings. An HIV/AIDS victim lives with discomfort and stigma, an elderly man is left to die by a hit-and-run driver, a child never returns home from school, a marriage breaks up, a natural disaster strikes, and a war steals away the life of our youth. Suffering happens to the good and the bad, the young and the old, the wealthy and the poor, the Christian and the non-Christian.

Suffering doesn't discriminate. All human beings suffer because of sin. While Christians pray for protection, they are subjected to pain, loss, grief, and wrong. We exist in an environment in which everyone is exposed to the effects of greed, power, violence, and selfishness. While God wants to protect His children and tuck them like chickens under His wings, Satan is on a mission to destroy safety, security, and faith. God doesn't prevent heartache, but uses it as a stepping-stone to stronger faith and community. Common experiences and suffering can bring Christians together.

The St. James Church Massacre that occurred in Cape Town, South Africa, on July 25, 1993, is a painful reminder that tragedy can strike at the heart of Christianity. A congregation of 1,300 people worshiping God on a cold Sunday night became targets for a man with a gun and a hand grenade packed in a tin of nails. More than 10 lives were lost and more than 50 recorded as wounded. Such devastation can crush a Christian family, or it can strengthen it. Frank Retief, minister of the congregation at the time, said, "True faith in Christ is not seen too clearly when everything goes well. When there are no difficulties, it is easy for people to claim to be Christians. But when the pressures come, it is an entirely different story. What a man really believes is seen when the chips are down. What is in the head comes out when there is nothing external to lean on."¹

Christians are targets in the spiritual battle between good and evil, and sometimes it appears that we are in the wrong place at the wrong time when disaster hits. Although our journeys are personal and our challenges differ, we all experience adversity, trial, and pain. We have much in common.

A Tough Journey
The Christian walk is not always easy. Christians around the globe find life difficult. Throughout history men and women have struggled with disappointment and distress. Authors have documented the Christian journey, with its trials and suffering. One of the most famous is Job. Job experienced death in the family, loss of property, affliction from boils, and betrayal by friends. John Bunyan introduced us to an adventurous character called Christian in his Pilgrim's Progress. He shared the high and low points of life's pilgrimage, highlighting the trouble and danger we are exposed to. Jesus also spoke about hardship--He warned His disciples that "in this world you will have trouble" (John 16:33).* In preparing His disciples for their future, Jesus taught them that suffering was to be expected and that they would weep and lament.

Jesus as Our Example
Jesus taught us many things, and reflecting on His life is one way to find strength to persevere in trial. During the most tragic event in history Jesus displayed courage, perseverance, and stamina. "When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats" (1 Peter 2:23). What happened to Jesus wasn't fair. Hounded by Pharisees, ostracized by His own people, and ridiculed for good deeds, Jesus modeled patience and grace in the face of adversity.

During His short life of 33 years, Jesus prayed for strength to endure. When confronted with difficulties or trying circumstances, He placed His trust in God. Compassion and determination were weapons Jesus used to expose injustice. Harsh treatment couldn't destroy His faith. Instead, it opened the door of hope. "All that He endured--the blood drops that flowed from His head, His hands, His feet, the agony that racked His frame, and the unutterable anguish that filled His soul at the hiding of His Father's face--speaks to each child of humanity, declaring, It is for thee that the son of God consents to bear this burden of guilt; for thee He spoils the domain of death, and opens the gates of Paradise."² Jesus' sufferings will put an end to ours.

Trial Challenges Our Faith
God has the power to override consequences, change the outcome, and stop the pain right now. But He often allows difficult circumstances to develop character and faith. James Dobson says, "We are in a spiritual war with a deadly foe tracking us every hour of the day. We need to be in the best shape possible to cope with the darts and arrows he hurls our way. Flabby, overindulged, pampered Christians just don't have the stamina to fight this battle. Thus the Lord puts us on a spiritual treadmill every now and then to keep us in good fighting condition."³ True faith must be tested.

Being Christian is not simply being connected to a congregation or observing the traditions of your family. It's about developing a character like Jesus'. Madame Guyon said, "It is the fire of suffering that brings forth the gold of godliness."

A Christian friend of mine has experienced suffering most of his life. I have been encouraged many times by his smile while in pain and his service to others when he was badly wronged. Once when I was visiting, he placed a piece of paper in my hand. It read, "The greatest danger we face is in finding ourselves comfortable on this earth." He wanted me to realize that this life is temporary and that trial is to be expected. James said, "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial" (James 1:12). "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance" (James 1:2, 3). Often the road we walk is rocky. But God encourages us to persevere and look beyond today. While it seems illogical, tragedy and suffering can bring us closer to Jesus and closer to one another.

I Hurt When You Hurt
Christians are impacted by the pain others experience. The book of Lamentations provides an eyewitness account of the despair surrounding the fall of Jerusalem. The grief was of major proportions. The people of Judah had been captured and slain. Women had been raped, children starved to death. There was ruin and destruction, fear and uncertainty. The people were distressed and without comfort. Lamentations captures in writing the chaos that impacted this rebellious society. Jeremiah found the scene difficult. "His heart was wrung with anguish over the ruin wrought by sin."⁴ Emotionally Jeremiah was probably at an all-time low. The suffering experienced by other human beings penetrates right to the heart of Christians. Christians suffer when others suffer. I hurt when you hurt.

Jesus left us a beautiful example of ministering to others. "Our Saviour went from house to house, healing the sick, comforting the mourners, soothing the afflicted, speaking peace to the disconsolate. He took the little children in His arms and blessed them, and spoke words of hope and comfort to the weary mothers. With unfailing tenderness and gentleness, He met every form of human woe and affliction."⁵ Christians have a responsibility to care for one another and carry one another's burdens.

The St. James Church Massacre in Cape Town pulled the church family together. Minister Retief planned a series of sermons entitled "The Road to Recovery," and the community began the process of rebuilding lives and healing hearts. Victims, families, and church members received counseling, relief funds, funeral planning assistance, special services, and love.

Heartache can play a big part in our ministry to others. We don't need to make up such excuses as "I lack understanding" or "I don't know what to say." If you have lost someone, been ill, had your property destroyed, struggled in marriage, raised a teenager, had trouble with exams, or experienced trouble, you're qualified to help someone else. Hurting people long for something better--sometimes that is just a smile. Christians are called to share their hope in Jesus Christ.

Hope to Cope
"Without water humans have lived almost a week. Without food, a few have remained alive for nearly three months. Yet without hope, no one can survive."⁶ Christian fellowship provides hope for broken hearts. Our shared experiences allow us to lean on one another and provide support when someone is struggling to make sense of circumstances. "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ" (Gal. 6:2). Christians who have suffered can relate to others who are hurting. Trials provide opportunities for us to love one another.

Praying, preparing meals, washing, caring for children, going for walks, giving hugs, listening--there are many things we can do for someone who is hurting. Praying for one another is powerful, because it helps those we pray for and at the same time strengthens our trust in God. Preparing a meal, vacuuming the floor, and washing clothes are practical ways to share. Caring for children, going for walks, dispensing plenty of hugs and humor may help others. Holding someone's hand in silence speaks volumes, while others may ask for time alone. A safe place is what they're looking for. It's not our job to find reasons or try and explain their suffering from our perspective. Just listen.

It's true. Life isn't fair. Trial and suffering we all have in common. But no one should have to suffer alone. Fellowship doesn't end at personal struggle, illness, or heartache. "The deepest, most intense level [of fellowship] is the fellowship of suffering, where we enter into each other's pain and grief and carry each other's burdens. . . . It is in the times of deep crisis, grief and doubt that we need each other most."⁷

Everyone needs support to pull through painful experiences. Share the load in your church family. Make that phone call, buy some flowers, send a card. Share hope. It's another thing we all have in common in the unity of Christian fellowship.

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*All Scripture quotations in this article are from the New International Version.

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¹ Frank Retief, Tragedy to Triumph: A Christian response to trials and suffering (Cape Town, South Africa: Struik Christian Books, 1994), p. 197.
² Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1898), p. 755.
³ James Dobson, When God Doesn't Make Sense (Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House, 1993), p. 161.
⁴ White, Prophets and Kings (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1917), p. 420.
⁵ White, Gospel Workers (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1915), p. 188.
⁶ Robert K. Cooper, The Other 90% (Crown Business, 2001), p. 165.
⁷ Rick Warren, The Purpose-driven Life (Zondervan, 2002), pp. 141, 142.

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Bronwyn Mison, director of communication for the South Pacific Division, has more than 10 years' experience in the communication industry. She has worked in an advertising agency, owned and operated a design business, and lectured at institutions of higher education. She enjoys sharing information about Jesus in an exciting way.