REV. DANIEL ROHAN Suffering teaches us to be grateful for blessings

The Apostle Peter writes, "Rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy." (1 Peter 4:13)
When we contemplate these words, we can see how our own sufferings are to lead us to greater attachment to Christ. It is, however, difficult for us to identify any real sufferings we have relative to the Lord. We all have difficult days, and as we get older, we are more susceptible to aches and pains, but this doesn't constitute real suffering. There are some among us who really do suffer with health problems. But we are fortunate to live in a nation with advanced health care, compared with other people around the world. We are blessed.
When we think of suffering, images from the Middle East come especially to mind. In America, we don't worry about the mingling with crowds in the fear that a bomb may explode. Our cities are not overrun with tanks, exploding shells and well-armed soldiers who are engaged in battles with our relatives and friends.
America is blessed
No, we in America have been blessed compared with people in the Middle East, the Balkans and many African countries. When we compare their lives with ours, we realize just how God has blessed us. We are relatively safe, well-fed, have heating in the winter, cooling in the summer and have treatments for most of our illnesses. Why are we so fortunate? The vast majority of Americans are here only because God decided this is where we would be born.
So, it would seem, those of us who live in America should be grateful by praising and thanking God for all that we have.
Strangely enough, with some people, it's just the opposite. St. Peter exhorts us to "rejoice" when we can share the Lord's suffering. When we are not suffering, however, we become complacent. It seems as though that it is only when we are suffering that we turn our hearts and minds to God.
When the terrorist attacks took place Sept. 11, 2001, our nation suddenly discovered God. Immediately after the event, our nation began to petition God to save us from any more "suffering." "God Bless America" became the most popular song in our land. Prayers were said in our government offices and by our most important government officials including the members of the Supreme Court, who are the successors of those who took prayer out of the schools more than 40 years ago.
Hardly any voices were raised that cautioned we were not to mix religion with any function of our federal government. It's amazing. When the nation was safe, we ignored God. When we were suffering, we praised God.
Be closer to Christ
What does this mean to us today? It means that we, individually, should examine our lives in the light of what St. Paul has written. Are we suffering? If we are, do we want the suffering to be alleviated? Or course we do. That's human nature. However, do we also turn our thoughts to how Jesus Christ suffered for us? Do we just concentrate on our suffering and not use the event to join with Christ in His ultimate mission leading us to salvation?
Suffering offers us an opportunity to humbly realize how blessed we are and how much the Lord has done for us. Whether it is physical suffering from an illness or the mental anguish of personal or family problems, will we do what we can to alleviate the problems? Christ wants us to join our sufferings with Him. His suffering redeemed us and we should join in that sacrifice.
Are we thankful?
So what about the "good times"? Our nation seems relatively safe now, doesn't it? But do we see the members of both political parties in our federal government coming together to praise and thank God? No, we haven't seen any such gatherings. Do the entertainment stars for the recording, movie and television industries plan to eliminate illicit sex, violence and immorality in their works as an indication that they thank God for their blessings? No, we don't expect that to happen.
Even with the ongoing tragedy of war, it appears our nation's "suffering" has abated. It seems that many in our country also have allowed our dependence on God to fade.
Individually, many people also have the attitude that when everything is going well they don't have to recognize God as the source of our blessing. The object is to ask: How much time each day do I spend thanking God for all He has done for me?
What it means
When a person is thankful, he is concentrating on what he has, rather than on what he doesn't have.
When a person is thankful, he is looking up to God, not around him at the possessions of others.
When a person is thankful, he is counting his blessings, not his failures.
When a person is thankful, he is acknowledging the grace of God, not the avarice, stinginess and greed of people.
Do each of us spend time in prayer each day? Everyone should take at least five to 10 minutes to thank God for our comforts and lack of suffering. We read about and see the sufferings of those less fortunate than we are throughout the word. Do we pause and pray for them and thank God for our safety? Attending worship services, praying and making other conscious efforts would indicate we do realize how blessed we are. It would be one way of saying thanks.
When we do suffer from illness or a trying situation, instead of being consumed by the difficulties, remember the words of St. Peter.
XThe Rev. Daniel Rohan is pastor of St. Mark Orthodox Church in Liberty.