A Rich Life: Have You Suffered Enough?
- Richard Selke
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
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I was having lunch with an old friend. We had worked together years ago and had not seen each other in a long time. As we caught up, we spoke of blessings – family, work, friendships, the good gifts that God had poured into our lives. Eventually the conversation turned to hardships and struggles. We talked about losses, disappointments, unexpected turns – the kind of suffering that quietly reshapes a person. We reflected on how we had reacted – sometimes faithfully, sometimes not – and how those seasons had changed us.
As we stood to leave, my friend smiled and said, “You’ve had a rich life!”
I’ve thought about that ever since.
Years earlier, a pastor told me, “Richard you haven’t suffered enough.” At the time, I didn’t understand what he meant. My life had been good, joyful and full of blessing. My expectation was that would continue, that life would remain that way and that, if suffering came, it would only be occasionally.
I was wrong.
Susan and I have been deeply blessed. And we have also walked through profound sorrow. By worldly standards, I might not have called our life “rich.” But perhaps heaven measures richness differently. In God’s economy, a rich life may not be defined by comfort or ease. It may look like walking with Christ through valleys as well as mountaintops. It may look like faith refined in fire. It may be defined by formation – by being shaped into the image of Christ.
Jesus told his disciples plainly, “… In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33, NIV
Do you know anyone who has escaped trouble? I don’t. No one gets out of this life without having experienced some degree of suffering.
Suffering can test our faith. The disciple James said: “My brothers and sisters, whenever you face various trials, consider it all joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance complete its work, so that you may be complete and whole, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4, NRSV.
There’s a world of suffering going on. What does that say about the world? What does that say about God?
Why does a good and holy God allow bad things to happen to good people? Why does He allow bad things to happen to his precious children whom He loves unconditionally? Why does He allow all of the suffering, evil and insanity in this world?
Scripture tells us that we live in a fallen world. Sin fractured creation. Disease, injustice and death were never God’s original design. Yet, even in this broken world, God has not abandoned us. He entered it.
In Jesus’ day, many assumed suffering was punishment for sin. If someone was blind or lame, it must be their fault – or their parents. We still carry versions of that assumption.
Across history, theologians and philosophers have pondered these questions and offered explanations – God is good, but He’s not powerful enough to prevent evil; God put everything into motion and walked away; God doesn’t care; God does not exist.
Saint Irenaeus, Bishop of Lyons (130-203 A.D.) suggested that this world may be a place of soul-making where character is formed for eternity. God’s purpose may be to use this world and our lives here, as a season for soul-growth and character-building to occur – for purposes we cannot imagine – beyond our lives in this world and with Him in heaven.
We are not temporary beings headed for extinction. We are eternal souls being shaped for life beyond this life. If this is true, then this world is the perfect place for character-building to occur. If this is true, the suffering we experience during our lives in this world has a purpose.
As we experience suffering, we have a choice – we can either withdraw to the darkness or flee to the Light. How we deal with our suffering can either lead us to holy ground or drive us into the pit of hell.
Vicktor Frankl, in Man’s Search for Meaning, says that in life we have experiences, loves and sufferings and we learn from all of them. He asks whether human existence may not be the final dimension of reality – whether suffering may find its ultimate meaning in a world beyond this one.
C. S. Lewis said: “I have seen great beauty of spirit in some who were great sufferers … If the world is indeed a ‘vale of soul making’ it seems on the whole to be doing its work.”
It may be that our expectations about this life differ from God’s purpose. It may be that instead of intending for us to have lives of ease and pleasure with occasional suffering, God’s purpose is really more about the suffering, not so much in and of itself, but how we grow after experiencing it.
It may be that we’re asking the wrong questions. Instead of asking, “God, why did You let this happen to me?” we might ask, “God, who are You forming me to be?” This is not a simplistic question. Some suffering is crushing. Some wounds take years to heal.
If we accept this as a real possibility – and I do – then our feelings about life change. God’s purpose makes sense. Our suffering makes sense. Life takes on a quality of excitement and boldness as we meet these challenges, overcome them and experience soul-growth and character-building.
A rich life may not be one spared from pain. It may be one in which pain has deepened faith, softened the heart, strengthened endurance and clarified eternal hope. Susan and I have seen soul-growth and character-building at work in the world and in our lives. Not perfectly. Not without tears. But truly. Based upon our personal experience, observation, faith and as supported by scripture, it makes sense to me.
The message of hope in God permeates the scriptures: “… we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us.” Romans 5:3-5, NRS.
God does not waste pain. He shapes saints through it!
Do not give up hope. Do not give up on God – even if all you can do today is whisper His name. He is not finished with you. Struggle honestly. Struggle prayerfully. Struggle well!
REMEMBER & BELIEVE
Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.
In the meantime, walk faithfully, love boldly, trust deeply
and let Him finish His work in you!
QUESTIONS
How do you prepare your heart for a season of suffering?
When hardship comes, where do you turn first? Who do you turn to?
How have past trials shaped your character and your faith?
Has suffering clarified what truly matters?
Have you lived a “rich” life?
PRAYER
Lord, we belong to You because Christ gave Himself for us. Cleanse our souls and shape our character. Use our joys and our sorrows for Your eternal purposes. When suffering comes, remind us that You are near. Keep us from bitterness. Guard us from despair. Form us into people who look more like Jesus every day. And when our life in this world is over, welcome us into the fulness of Your presence – complete and whole, lacking in nothing.
Our Father Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil and the evil one. For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and ever.
Amen
“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24, ESV
God bless you!
Richard
Christ Worshipper | Disciple Maker | Hope Giver
Welcome to In the Meantime. I'm glad you're here! We are living in the time between Christ's ascension into heaven and His promised return to earth. In the Meantime is a collection of stories about God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and His presence, love, mercy and grace in my life. In the Meantime, Jesus is Lord! Hallelujah!
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