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The Limits of Suffering
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”
1 Peter 5:8–11
In 1957, a professor at Johns Hopkins University named Curt Richter published the findings of a study he had conducted on rats to measure the effect of hope on response to hardship and difficulty. He placed a number of rats in water, and took note of how long they could swim before drowning. Then he took a second set of rats and put them in the same conditions.
This time, just before the average time of survival was reached, his team would take the rats out of the water. After they had rested a while and dried off, the rats were placed back into the water. This time they were able to swim for a much longer period of time. “In this way,” Richter reported, “the rats quickly learn that the situation is not actually hopeless. After elimination of hopelessness the rats do not die.”
Most, if not all, of us know the feeling of enduring a trial or time of suffering that feels like it will never end. It is tempting for us to lose hope and give up, or to blame God and become bitter against Him. But Peter reminds us that all of our suffering is limited. It only lasts for “a while.” That does not mean it doesn’t hurt or even that things will improve. What it does mean is that there is hope. We have a loving Father who will never fail or forsake us.
1 Peter 5:8–11
In 1957, a professor at Johns Hopkins University named Curt Richter published the findings of a study he had conducted on rats to measure the effect of hope on response to hardship and difficulty. He placed a number of rats in water, and took note of how long they could swim before drowning. Then he took a second set of rats and put them in the same conditions.
This time, just before the average time of survival was reached, his team would take the rats out of the water. After they had rested a while and dried off, the rats were placed back into the water. This time they were able to swim for a much longer period of time. “In this way,” Richter reported, “the rats quickly learn that the situation is not actually hopeless. After elimination of hopelessness the rats do not die.”
Most, if not all, of us know the feeling of enduring a trial or time of suffering that feels like it will never end. It is tempting for us to lose hope and give up, or to blame God and become bitter against Him. But Peter reminds us that all of our suffering is limited. It only lasts for “a while.” That does not mean it doesn’t hurt or even that things will improve. What it does mean is that there is hope. We have a loving Father who will never fail or forsake us.
Today’s Growth Principle:
God’s goodness and grace ensures that our suffering is limited, and we are never without hope.
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