Suffering is real; very real, and by stating this, I reject all forms of oriental thought on suffering. There is no Yang nor is it an illusion (and thus, making escapism the only soteriological method). It is real, and people suffer. However, Jesus on the cross seized not the reality of suffering, but suffering itself. For the Christian, suffering itself, though extant, is now recapitulated, analyzed, and defeated by its antithesis and conqueror, joy. There is no place for the Christian in which joy is outmatched by suffering, or which channels of joy are undercut by suffering. And, irony of ironies, our suffering itself becomes infused and expanded by joy, since it is now a method of our Father's rebuke, and, He only rebukes those whom he loves. Our appropriate response, as always, is to be joyful!
Be joyful always; God adores a cheerful giver; Joyful beyond our understanding;
Meditate on His true promises and be filled with the joy in knowing that He is capable! Eternal life, companionship, love, acceptance, community. If we are filled with joy at this earthly level of promises, how much more will our joy be when we have perfection in all those aspects?
And as always, there is no middle ground.
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