I called on Your name, O LORD, out of the lowest pit.
You have heard my voice, do not hide Your ear from my prayer for relief, from my cry for help.
(Lamentations 3:55-56)
Is there ever a time when suffering whether physical, emotional, or spiritual becomes so debilitating and excruciating that a Christian should consider that living is not worth living anymore? Can we take upon ourselves the role of Him who gives and takes life?
As Christians when we are placed, by God’s providence, under unwanted and unsought experiences of suffering, we must face and surrender to the truths of God’s Word. We must remember that Christ is truly King and reigns over all things; therefore nothing comes into our lives without His permission or His direction. Would we dare to charge our Good Shepherd with not attending to His business, or forgetting about us, or not caring? Has something entered unknowingly into His universe and escaped His notice?
There may be many reasons for God allowing or directing suffering to come into our lives. It may be for our correction; it may be to mature us and conform us into the likeness of Christ; it may be to display His glory; it may be to humble us; but whatever the reason, it is all for the ultimate Glory of God. Let us bow, worship and surrender to the will of our Savior King who loved us and gave Himself for us. He laid down His own life for us. He purchased us. Our life belongs to Him; it is not our own.
There is no affliction beyond the ability of the Christian to endure in a loving and joyful way. We are clearly promised that He will not place on us more than we can endure (I Corinthians 10:13). To consider escaping suffering by taking your own life is not only selfish but completely outside the will of God. Banish such thoughts and cling to Christ. Would you have disobedience and mistrust of Him to be your last mortal act? Feelings and circumstances may change, but Christ changes not; His Word never fails, –not ever!
Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessings on your head.
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning Providence
He hides a smiling face.
–William Cowper