We’ve heard countless stories of people praying for someone with cancer, which results in the doctors no longer being able to detect any cancer in the patient. Yet most of us also know firsthand what it’s like to pray that God would heal someone, only to see healing never come. Why does God choose to heal some but not others?
In some countries, Christians face harassment, beatings, and imprisonment for following Christ, yet in others, they are free to worship the Lord however and whenever they choose. How is any of this fair? Perhaps we asking the wrong questions. Instead of asking, “Why”, I think the better question is, “Are we willing?” Are we willing to suffer both physical and emotional extremes for the sake of knowing Christ (Philippians 3:10-11)?
The root of asking why something happens to those we love is sometimes selfishness and reveals a lack of trust in God’s providence (Proverbs 3:5-6). As followers of Christ, we already know why: it is to somehow further God’s overarching mission (Romans 8:28). To be sure, we don’t always understand or even like that fact, but it doesn’t nullify the truth of it. Since we already know the ultimate “why”, we will do better to move on from that question and dig a little deeper. Are we willing to suffer in the same way as they are, knowing it would be for the glory of God (1 Peter 4:12-13)? Or do we prefer the suffering to happen to others so we can stay secure and comfortable?
I’ll be the first to admit that I hate being sick. I don’t want to catch a cold, much less contract something far more serious. Why? Because at the core I am, like you, selfish and spend much of my time focusing inward. We all think too much of ourselves and too little about others (Romans 15:1-2). Think about it – are we more likely to look in the mirror or hit our knees in prayer first thing each morning? We say we love others, but are we willing to love them more than we love ourselves (John 15:12-13)?
I live in the USA, and any persecution for my faith is trivial at best. It is rare for it to be much more than some name-calling or minor discrimination. While most readers of this blog live in free countries as well, there are a surprising number of readers who live in places where following Christ is both illegal and dangerous. Most of us think nothing of opening a web page or an email message about Jesus. But for many, just reading this blog could have severe ramifications. Are we willing to risk our well-being and livelihood to learn more about Jesus and fellowship with like-minded believers?
Asking why we or someone we love suffers is not the right question. The circumstances of others should prompt us to ask ourselves, “Are we willing to suffer in the same way for the sake of Jesus?”. We can’t often see how a friend or family member with a debilitating illness can be part of furthering the Kingdom of God. I doubt we will understand until we can ask the Lord Himself. But we must have the faith to believe that all the suffering, pain, and persecution are working together to bring about the good and perfect plan of God (2 Corinthians 4:17-18). The point is not whether the pain is necessary, but if we will endure it all for the sake of Christ, no matter the cost (Matthew 16:24-25).