Who Really Suffers the Most?

James 1:2-4 (NIV) ~~ Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

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by Carley Cooper

I read a status message online the other day that said:

“God only puts us through as much as we can handle, so the people who struggle the most have been chosen to be the strongest ones.” 

My first thought when I saw this message was “There it is again; someone else who thinks that they’ve suffered more.”  Which, in my mind, means they believe my trials weren’t as hard for me to go through as theirs were for them.  People seem to want to make it clear to others that they, themselves, have suffered so much that no one else could possibly understand.  Personally, I find that to be an insult. 

My Burdens Make Me Strong

It really started me thinking about all the burdens I’ve had to carry in my lifetime.  Am I one of the strong ones?  Or maybe, despite all that I’ve been through in my lifetime with abuse, physical and mental health issues (just to name a few) it’s not actually a big enough load to consider me as being one of the tough people.  

How does my load compare, really, to others?  Who gets to measure what is “a lot” compared to “not as much” or “a little”?  And, why does it matter anyway?  Do I have the right to say “I’ve suffered more than you”, or “I can see that Jim has suffered more than Bob”?  Where in the bible does it say that God only puts us through as much as we can handle?  Does God’s Word say that the ones who struggle the “most” are the strongest ones?   

God Loves You Too

Who are we to compare one person’s burdens to another?  God created us for HIS purpose.  That purpose in one life may be a short and difficult life.  Does it mean lives that were ended prematurely didn’t struggle as hard just because they were short; that they never got a chance to be one of the strong ones?   

We can't compare ourselves to someone else like that.  We need to try to understand the magnitude of God's love for us.  He loves us so much that He sent Jesus to die for us in order that we could be forgiven.

It’s not a competition peeps.  Even when it may appear that someone has suffered more / less than you, doesn’t make it true.  Your load may have been bigger, but that doesn’t mean you’ve suffered more.  One person’s load, if it could be given to someone else, may not feel the same weight on someone else’s shoulders.  What’s hard for me to handle may not be hard for you; and visa versa.  To say that one person has suffered more is like comparing apples and oranges, chalk and cheese, or dogs and cats!  You just can’t make them equal, because they are completely different. 

Only God Knows For Sure

The bible doesn’t tell us that God only gives us the burdens we can carry, and no more.  Where’s the suffering in that?  It says that He only gives us temptations that we are able to resist, if we really wanted to.  1 Corinthians 10:13 says:

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

I urge you, friends, to think about others before making a judgement on how much they’ve suffered.  We don’t know what their journey is all about, or all that’s involved.  Only God knows that.  The important thing to remember is that we all have to suffer in this world.  No one escapes without going through some trials.  They are necessary to build our faith so we become mature and complete, get blessings, and get close to God.

Let’s Pray

Dear God ~~ Thank You merciful and loving Father for all Your blessings.  We try to compete with each other in such ridiculous ways sometimes.  Thank You for helping us to become more like Jesus every day through our trials and traumas.  Please help us to remember that we do not have to compete for Your love.  You love each and every one of us in our own special way.  Thank You for that.   In Jesus name, I pray.  AMEN.

Now It’s Your Turn

Thoughts?  Questions?  Want to share your story?  Ask for prayer? Please share in the comments section.

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