Teaching Us How to Bear Suffering

In the novel Cry, The Beloved Country by Alan Paton, a friend of the main character in the story says this: “I have never thought that a Christian would be free of suffering, umfundisi.  For our Lord suffered.  And I come to believe that he suffered, not to save us from suffering, but to teach us how to bear suffering.  For he knew that there is no life without suffering.”  I believe that this is right as it relates to our mortal life.  We know of course that one of the great purposes of Christ’s atonement was to save us from punishment for our sins—He told us, “For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent” (D&C 19:16).  This of course is speaking of the suffering of the wicked after this life when they will suffer for their sins.  But the suffering referred to in the quote above is of a different nature—it is the suffering that we must inevitably face because we are human.  And of that kind of suffering we can learn a great deal from the Savior. 

               Lehi prophesied of the suffering of the Savior in these powerful words: “And the world, because of their iniquity, shall judge him to be a thing of naught; wherefore they scourge him, and he suffereth it; and they smite him, and he suffereth it. Yea, they spit upon him, and he suffereth it, because of his loving kindness and his long-suffering towards the children of men” (1 Nephi 19:9).  If Christ showed us anything abour suffering, surely it was indeed patience and long-suffering and humble perseverance.  One of the most poignant moments in His life in my mind was when he was taken before the Jews before His crucifixion and “one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?”  I love the patient and yet powerful way in which He responded: “If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?” (John 18:22-23)  Time and time againhe did not return “railing for railing” but rather responded simply and without fear (3 Nephi 6:13).  His bore all things with patience, showing us indeed how to endure hardship and even physical suffering.  When Satan came to Him after His superhuman fast, He responded by reading the scriptures and focusing on the word of God.  When He went into the garden He prayed at His time of greatest need, He sought the help of His Father: “Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.  And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly” (Luke 22:42-44).  When trouble came he took refuge in the scriptures and prayed earnestly to His Father.  Surely that's how we should likewise respond in our own moments of pain and difficulty--with patience and with earnest seeking of our Father in Heaven.