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In today's culture of "don't worry, be happy," it's not easy to suffer honestly. When a loved one dies, visitors seem in awe of family members who "keep it together" and don't cry during the funeral. Yet, those family members may be going through such grief that they're literally aching in lonely silence. And it doesn't help when well-meaning observers say things such as, "It was her time to go home" or "You wouldn't have wanted him to live like that, so it's best he died now."

But saying such things is a gross misapplication of what Paul says here in Romans. We all will suffer and "groan within ourselves" (8:23) at one time or another, Paul says. It's okay, even holy, to cry and mourn over sad events. Yet, even in your deepest despair, the Holy Spirit is there to assure you that God works through the bad to bring about good.

How do you suffer positively? You invite the Holy Spirit to show you how. Let him express your prayers in "groanings which cannot be uttered" (8:26). Recognize that bad evens are side effects of this imperfect world you live in, a world eagerly waiting for God (8:18–22). And invite people to cry with you so you can go on to find the good God persistently gives (8:28)—as you hope and wait for it. (See also Leviticus 26:1–13; Job 23; Micah 4:1–5; Nahum 1:2–7, 15; Ephesians 1:7–23.)

Good Words to Remember:
We know that all things work together for good to those who love God. Romans 8:28

Today's Challenge:
Do you suffer positively or negatively? Why?

Copyright © 2001 by the author or Christianity Today International/Christian Bible Studies.

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