The cumulative effects of suffering …

In 2017 I wrote the book, “Real Christians Care,” (you can find it here) because it was (and still is) my view a significant missing component of the church — that of caring about others — was largely absent or significantly negligible among many who profess to follow Jesus Christ.

But there was another reason as well.

For decades, I’ve ministered to people who have been wounded, even harmed, by the effects of long-term suffering. It has been my observation that the lack of caring from the church has contributed to an increase in the number of people who suffer from the cumulative effects of suffering.

One of the most timely parables in the Bible is Jesus’ telling the story of the “Good Samaritan,” as recorded in Luke 10:30-37. Like the priest and the Levite who either crossed the street to avoid the stripped, nearly dead man left beside the road, or the Levite who looked and leered but also left the man without rendering help, we in the 21st century so often pass by people in our lives who are obviously suffering and in need.

“You can’t help everyone!” some would instantly bellow at that. True, but that certainly isn’t our problem in 2023; what is, is that so few try to help anyone.

In our negligence to care for anyone beyond ourselves or immediate family, we leave others in their suffering, and some (many) of those people will suffer for years without help. A specific part of the tragedy of that fact is the cumulative effects of suffering can become harmful to the sufferer, sometimes hurting them to the point that without divine intervention they can’t be fully restored to health with the best of care.

The longer a person suffers, the greater the effects of cumulative suffering can compound in and on the life. The effects of cumulative suffering vary according to what a person is suffering, and if the suffering is chiefly physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, etc. or likely some combination of those. Some of the cumulative effects of suffering include:

– The pain of open wounds. The longer a wound (of any kind) is open, the deeper and broader the damage can go.

– Irrational and distorted thinking can more likely become habits and patterns, leading to an assortment of problems from panic and confusion to poorer decision-making and an utter sense of being lost.

– A greater temptation to entertain hopelessness.

– Higher, and potentially unhealthy levels of, stress, anxiety and depression. Could possibly lead to suicidal ideation.

– Increased stress, anxiety, and depression — and the body’s response to suffering of any kind — can lead to a greater susceptibility to disease.

– The tumult of chronic pain (physically or mentally).

– More prone to a fear-fueled existence.

– Turning to negative coping mechanisms, which only exacerbate the suffering.

– Some of those coping mechanisms can lead to addictions in an effort to numb the pain.

– A deep, dark, dangerous despair.

AND …

– it is also possible that even some of the worst trials can be used as a test of faith.

When we are thinking right and trusting God in our suffering, even those most difficult of times can be an opportunity:

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love,” Romans 5:3-5.

“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing,” James 1:2-4.

Not everyone — not every Christian — suffers “well.” Some are better at exercising faith, trusting good, enduring and persevering, even through pain (and some have a higher tolerance for pain). Others, though, can be more easily overcome. Some come through suffering better for experiencing it; others come through more damaged and harmed than before.

One of the best things we can do for people we see suffering that we can either personally help, or help them get the help they need, is to respond to their suffering in a timely manner to avoid a cumulative effect of suffering. In other words, the best thing we can do is follow in the steps of Jesus by demonstrating the actions of caring.

Scotty