Do it yourself. Do it with God. And do it with help from others
By Dean Collins
Do-It-Yourself has become a thing in recent years. I don’t know the history of the DIY movement, but it ranges from crafts and hobbies all the way to building your own house. Some DIY projects are driven by economics, and some seem to be driven by enjoyment.
In my 20s I painted my own house, hung wallpaper, did minor plumbing repairs, hung drywall, and did all kinds of yard work—not because I enjoyed it but because I couldn’t afford to pay anyone to do it! On the other hand, there are things I have watched my friends do, everything from home repairs to various kinds of art, just because they find pleasure in tackling these tasks and enjoy learning new skills.
Some DIY projects are straightforward. Follow certain steps and before you know it you have a finished project or job. And some projects seem to be unpredictable and require constant tinkering and refiguring on how to accomplish the project.
Suffering and grief
Today I’m thinking about suffering and grief as a sort of DIY project. This may seem odd, but the fact is there are aspects of suffering and grief that no one can do for you. You have to walk through certain moments on your own. Yet at the same time, God placed us in a community of faith where we are all called to bear one another’s burdens. And we know that even when we find ourselves in the middle of seasons of suffering and grief, our loving Father promises never to abandon us.
But you have likely also noticed that suffering and grief are rather unpredictable. Yes, we know many of the emotions and stages associated with grief, but when they come, the intensity they bring is often unexpected and rarely the same for any two people. It’s difficult to compare my suffering to another person’s experience.
Long and powerful
The Christian life is also filled with assignments that include suffering. Jesus told us that in this world there would be many struggles, and sometimes I bet you have felt you are the poster child for that Bible verse! Today my Scripture reading included both Lamentations 3 and Psalm 102. These are long and powerful passages filled with suffering.
Lamentations was written by Jeremiah, the prophet who had endured much suffering in his call to warn God’s people of the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple and their exile in Babylon. As Jeremiah fulfilled his ministry, he was ridiculed, starved, placed in confinement, and given minimal provision. He experienced constant struggle. Chapter 3 is the midpoint of the prophet’s great lament.
As the 3rd chapter opens we read these words:
“I am the man who has seen affliction under the rod of his wrath; he has driven and brought me into darkness without any light; surely against me he turns his hand again and again the whole day long. He has made my flesh and my skin waste away; he has broken my bones; he has besieged and enveloped me with bitterness and tribulation; he has made me dwell in darkness like the dead of long ago. He has walled me about so that I cannot escape; he has made my chains heavy; though I call and cry for help, he shuts out my prayer.“
Pain and suffering and lots of it! Jeremiah’s thoughts run the gamut in this chapter from agony and defeat all the way back to hope. The prophet assigns blame in several directions, including God’s, yet in pure humility submitted to God He declared that God’s steadfast love was new every morning and that he would hope in the Lord. At times the prophet wonders where God is in the suffering and then acknowledges that God both hears and answers his cries for help.
I can relate to this chapter. There are days I wonder where God is and why he gave me certain assignments. And on the same day I am suddenly overwhelmed with the faithfulness of God. We can be in agony by ourselves in one minute and suddenly in fellowship with others God sends to encourage and help us.
Cry for help
The psalmist describes something similar in Psalm 102. This psalm opens with a desperate cry for help. The psalmist is so distraught that he can’t think or eat. All he can muster are groans. I bet you know that feeling as well. Sometimes the pain is so great our lips won’t form words and all we have to offer is a groan.
In the middle of Psalm 102 we see a breakthrough. The psalmist declared:
“But you, O Lord, are enthroned forever; you are remembered throughout all generations. You will arise and have pity on Zion; it is the time to favor her; the appointed time has come. For your servants hold her stones dear and have pity on her dust. Nations will fear the name of the Lord, and all the kings of the earth will fear your glory. For the Lord builds up Zion; he appears in his glory; he regards the prayer of the destitute and does not despise their prayer.”
The psalmist acknowledges that God is God and he will sustain his people in every generation. The Lord our God will regard our prayers and will answer us in our time of need. And by the end of this psalm we read that God is the same, he is everlasting, and that as his children we will dwell secure forever!
“But you are the same, and your years have no end. The children of your servants shall dwell secure; their offspring shall be established before you.”
Lord, today we bring our pain and suffering to you. Thank you for allowing us to be unfiltered in expressing our pain, our suffering, and our confusion. Thank you for promising to hear our prayers and respond to our needs. Thank you for placing us in a community of faith where others can bear our burdens just as you call us to bear theirs. We praise you as the Almighty One who both listens and responds and has the ability to move mountains and calm raging seas. Today we ask for comfort for all who suffer. Direct our paths that we might be used to bring comfort and strength to another just as you bring comfort and strength to us. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Your time with God’s Word
Lamentations 3:1-42, 55-66; Psalm 102:1-28 ESV
Photo at istockphoto.com by kieferpix
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