Why do we sometimes choose suffering?

We had our first of two family Thanksgiving meals on Tuesday. My dad and stepmom were in town for a medical appointment, so they and some of our local kids came over for a dinner of Chinese take-out.

We had much to be thankful for when we gathered. My stepmom recently finished a brutal run of chemotherapy, and has emerged cancer-free. The side effects of chemo have been quite devastating, including some rare and particularly painful side effects, but they will slowly pass and, to be honest, hearing the words "cancer-free" are worth it.

My stepmom chose this treatment, even though she knew it would be difficult. Yet she persevered like a champ, and because of that and God's grace, she beat cancer.

It's amazing what humanity will choose to go through (and is capable of going through) in order to achieve a certain goal or a better future. From chemotherapy, to childbirth, to running a marathon, to saving money by giving up small desires in order to buy a trip or a house, we are willing to go through all levels of sacrifice or suffering if we think the end result is worth it.

This is actually a reflection of the character and image of God in us. God's love is sacrificial. One could actually make the argument regarding any relationship that if no sacrifice is involved, then it's not love.

Reading the Gospels and seeing what Jesus put up with from others, his humble lifestyle, and what he experienced on the Cross all demonstrate the great lengths to which God went to let us know who he is and how much he loves us.

God suffered and sacrificed greatly. But he felt you were worth it.

"God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn its people. He sent him to save them!"

~ John 3:16-17

PAUSE and REFLECT: You are worth it. Do you believe that? God thinks you are worth all the sacrifice and suffering he went through in order to show you his heart and love. You. Are. Worth. It.

But let us also pause and reflect on our own life. Is there a sacrificial journey God is asking you to make for the sake of love (for him, for another, for yourself)?

Or perhaps you are already on one. If so, what end goal or desired future are you currently sacrificing or suffering for? Probably the most important question you can ask yourself is, "Is this end goal worth it?" Is it something that will lead you or others into full life? Is it something that God desires from you?

Being cancer-free is worth the suffering of chemotherapy. The delight of newborn life is worth the suffering of childbirth. You knowing and receiving God's love, and being in relationship with him is worth the Cross. However, perhaps there are end goals that are not worth the sacrifice or suffering you are making.

As we head into Thanksgiving weekend, let us first be thankful for the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus, who felt the restoration of your heart and soul was worth it. Let us also ask God how he would like us to follow this example as we follow him. And finally, let us filter our present sacrificial journeys with the simple question, "Is my desired future worth it, and one which God asks me to make?"

Happy Thanksgiving.

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Photo by Neal E. Johnson on Unsplash