A prayer to see the beauty in suffering
Written by Tammy Darling
Bible reading:
“We consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that is to come in us.” Romans 8:18, NIV
Listen or read below:
“Conflicted” doesn’t begin to describe how I feel when I look at the beauty of this planet and when I see the pain of the people who live on it.
Just yesterday, I saw a beautiful barred owl perched on the branch of a tree across the road at the end of my driveway. I brought my camera and took some nice photos. An hour later, I was faced with the deep emotional pain of a friend suffering from a broken relationship.
Two separate encounters were contrasting in beauty and pain, but I realized that both can coexist even in the same situation. It takes love to see the beauty in pain, and it takes love to realize that Christ can make all pain beautiful in His time.
Still, I struggle. Maybe you are too.
How can you think about the beauty of a park filled with spring flowers without seeing the look of despair and pain in the eyes of a homeless man lying on a park bench? How can I look at the physical beauty of a single woman in the grocery store without seeing her pain, shame, and fear for the future? How can I look into the eyes of helpless children and not do everything I can to advocate for them and meet their needs?
I don’t want to see beauty without seeing pain. Because in the eyes of the lost, the broken, and the injured there is an endless pool of beauty waiting to be discovered. The pain may run deep, but the beauty runs even deeper.
If we can look in the mirror and see our own pain, can’t we also have the courage to look and really see the pain of others? If we can encourage ourselves in the Lord, like David did when he lost everything at Ziklag (1 Samuel 30:6), can’t we help others in the same way?
Harshness, cruelty, violence…isn’t it just a wounded soul looking for love, but not knowing how to look, where to look, or even how to receive love when it’s given to us? This lack of love can cause pain to all of us.
When did occupying this planet become a special event? Let’s all occupy it? Aren’t we all equally important and created by God…in His image? So, can I live in awe of the natural beauty of the world and at the same time not explore the beauty of others, especially those who are in pain and perhaps express that pain in negative or harmful ways?
And when I see such beauty in another person, do I scream it? It’s not okay to see hidden beauty in people who are suffering and not talk about it. If I’m aware of it and don’t say anything, how will they know?
We can no longer look away or turn a blind eye. What we see cannot be unseen, so what should we do with what we see? Vision comes with responsibilities and even privileges. Yes, becoming Christ is indeed a privilege for those who know and those who do not know about Christ, God’s love, and how Christ redeems all.
I’m learning more and more that I don’t have to hide from pain. Instead, I can choose to face it directly and discover the beauty behind the pain in those around me. Really, all over the world. When we witness the pain of those hurting abroad and take steps to alleviate their pain, often in economic terms, that pain becomes beauty.
Just as pain is often the beast, there may also be a beauty and the beast. However, the two can go hand in hand. Just like in the movie Beauty and the Beast, love can be found. When love is juxtaposed with pain, beauty is born.
When you enter into someone else’s pain, that pain becomes beauty. Compassion, empathy, help, grace, mercy…all aspects of love. And love is what Christ is.
We received a command from Jesus: “Love one another, as I have loved you” (John 13:34, NIV). Must do. As in, it’s not an option. We cannot take our eyes off the wounded Samaritan who is walking past us.
Pain cannot be profitable unless we allow beauty to emerge from it. Be open to discovering the beauty beneath the pain. Perfect love through Jesus Christ was expressed through His obedience in suffering (Hebrews 5:8). Love is always beautiful, but often painful.
Let’s pray:
Dear Jesus,
Although we live in a broken and fallen world, there is so much beauty to see. Thank you for giving me the privilege of entering into the pain of others so that even in the darkest places, your beauty shines through.
May our days be filled with compassion and love for each other. May we be able to forgive when we are hurt. Let me remind you that when we were rejected, so were you. When we see those hurting around us, may we choose to be there for them and ease their pain. May the things we do and say reveal the beauty in pain.
In your precious name, amen.
Discuss today’s devotion with others in the “Daily Prayer” thread in the Crosswalk Forums.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Tinnakorn Jorruang
Tammy Darling is the author of 1,600 articles and three books. She writes from her home in rural Pennsylvania.
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