“It’s an honor to be part of your pain and suffering.”
I’ve got to say, when I heard this guy say this to a lady that had just poured out her heart to him at church, I was floored. I didn’t know if I wanted to audibly gasp, or just go right to face pounding.
How dare he minimize her pain. It sounded crass, indifferent, sarcastic. I recoiled.
And then he dropped this scripture from James 1: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds.”
Wow. Gut check.
I can’t remotely explain in words how much I hate pain and suffering. I’ve had my fair share in life and I’m done with it. I don’t want to deal with it, share it, welcome it, examine it, or dig at it any more. The “joy in the trial” has left the building.
But I realized, in that moment, how much joy the enemy has robbed from me lately and I mourned time lost. I felt sad for the shell I’ve allowed my heart to reside in.
Today, I’m showing up for that pain and suffering. I’m welcoming Jesus back to the conversation. The joy and honor may have to be His gig, for now, and I’m guessing he’ll say it’s an honor to be included.
