Strategies for Suffering— a continuing series on nurturing our emotions and mind.

The officer struggled to rise from his chair in the interlock. Limping, he entered the tier to switch-out the inmates. He walked slowly up the stairs to the top tier, and grimaced, coming down.

As he returned to the interlock, I asked, “Have you been injured?” He shared about the incidents that caused his injuries, the surgeries, and chronic pain.

I meet many staff who are in daily pain who were severely injured in their line of duty: fractures, ruptured disks, torn muscles, and more from breaking up inmate fights, or being attacked. Yet, they continue to serve our county, and provide for their families.

They have more than just physical pain; in jails, there’s non-stop, demanding inmates, difficult personalities, and the challenges of mentally disturbed detainees. Staff may also be sleep-deprived from extra shifts, caring for a newborn or ill family member. Some ache from having a loved one murdered and see the killer at the jail—a daily reminder. Others grieve an incarcerated son or nephew who chose crime. Layers of pain.

Life’s hardest trials are those which last, like chronic pain, caregiving, or a marriage with years of misunderstanding. I find that many staff—because of the isolation of their service, and belief that as law enforcement, they should “be strong”—don’t share their pain with loved ones; they choose to “protect” a spouse or parent from corrections’ ugliness. Relying on ourselves alone can be a weakness. If instead, we ask God and others for help, we can receive strength from God and others: “when I am weak, then I am strong” (2nd Corinthians 12:10).

Even alone in an interlock, you can turn to God and complain, because he’s always available and loves you, unconditionally, forever: “Give thanks to the Lord because he is good, because his faithful love endures forever.” (1st Chronicles 16:34). Sharing life with Him or a human caring heart tells us we’re not alone, binds us to the one in whom we confide, and nourishes our spirit. It’s wise to share.

With Love as The Basis of Creation, Why Does God Allow Suffering?

The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit loved, love, and will love each other perfectly, forever. They chose to create more to love: the universe and all in it, including us. God gives mankind free will, warning of consequences of disobeying him.

Adam and Eve rebelled, in effect saying, “We’ll lead life without God or his rule.” They made that choice, and we all suffer. We inherited their rebellious nature; ours appears automatically, without instruction, as seen in any head-strong toddler! No one is taught to be self-centered, but all are born with that focus.

What Suffering Offers

All problems and suffering began in that garden with Satan and continue today as we ignore God’s loving commands and give into foolish temptations from the Devil. But God can always take what the Enemy does and use it for good, as he’s repeatedly done throughout history—such as in the life of Joseph, whose enslavement and unfair imprisonment resulted in his saving many from starvation (Genesis 37-50:20). When depleted from suffering, is God offering you something from it? Perhaps it’s one of these:

• Learning. Suffering can teach us about our weaknesses, strengths, and new ways to live.

• Companionship. Pain can lead us to set aside pride and ask for help. Such humility can build relationships. Life is too hard to do alone, especially when also serving in corrections. As difficulties come, find others who’ve gone through something similar; seek their insight and support. Plus, the best counselor—always available—is God. He can be with you in your tier, is eager to listen to your pain and fears, and to offer hope.

• Compassion, unity, and a freeing focus. When we’ve suffered; we gain empathy to support others in their distress, which redirects our focus from our pain to theirs.

• Relationship with God. Problems can be a gift that draw us to God and depend on him: “We were under great pressure…despaired of life itself…but this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.” (2nd Corinthians: 1:8b-9). If all was perfect, we’d be inclined to ignore him. Perhaps this is why the wealthy and healthy often disregard or belittle God; they feel in control, so don’t consider eternity. God can’t help those who ignore him. He waits to be invited in; then we can ask and receive his guidance, strength, and friendship.

• Character development is shaped in adversity, letting us progress toward the deeper things God longs to teach us. Being comfortable isn’t wrong, but he’s most concerned with our spiritual growth to benefit us and others—now and for all eternity. Just as a loving dad disciplines his children in wise ways which may be unwanted or unappreciated, God knows best, and has a purpose in allowing the suffering. Our part is to get to know his ways and believe in him.

• Peace of mind. God is loving, and sovereign over everything. The moment we accept that he permitted an ordeal in our life, yet always does what’s best, our perspective can become: “I don’t understand why, but know it’s allowed by You, who loves me so much that you died for me—so I accept it.” Such trust alleviates anxiety, sleepless nights, and unproductive worry.

• Freedom. With God’s Spirit, we can learn control over foolish cravings or preferences, reject unwise companions, and resist the Enemy’s temptations—any of which could worsen our current situation.

• An eternal perspective. If God is good and all-powerful, why does he allow us to suffer? Pain can make us consider: “Am I prepared for death—heaven or hell?” Then, we can choose to accept his gift of eternal paradise: “For the wages of sin is death and hell, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23), where there are “no more tears, pain or death.” (Revelation 21:4).

• If we reject that gift, the outcome is being “punished with everlasting destruction” (2nd Thessalonians 1:9), which is hell. “Man is destined to die once, then face judgement.” Hebrew 9:27. There’s no second chance, no purgatory–a concept invented 200 years after Jesus’s death, resurrection, and return to heaven. Previously, the church taught that the only way to heaven was through Jesus. Neither Jesus, nor the apostles, or prophets ever spoke or wrote of purgatory. Jesus explained, “I am the way, truth, and life; no one comes to the Father in heaven except through me.” John 14:6. Jesus is the only way—not some fictitious “do-over.”

• Giving others the best gift. If we trust God amid suffering, our response differs from those who don’t know Jesus. Perhaps we show calmness—even joy—during trials. This may surprise others and cause them to ask the source of your peace. Then you can tell them: “It’s not me; it’s my savior, Jesus Christ, who suffered far, far more—for us.”

I was asked, “Who decides if you go to heaven or hell—God or the Devil?”You choose heaven, by admitting to God that you sin, can never be “good enough,” to enter heaven, and thankfully accept Jesus’ full payment for all your sin on the cross. God created everything. The Devil is a created, angel who rebelled against God; Satan is not all-knowing and all-powerful like our Creator, who chose to die for us.

God designed our minds to seek answers. He never punishes anyone for doubts or sincere questions. Feel free to ask: “God, what would You have me do in this pain?” or “What are You trying to teach me?” He wants us to read his word for guidance and to get to know him: “It was good for me to be afflicted, that I might learn your statutes.” (Psalm 119:71). So;

• Read the Bible, which is God’s autobiography and his biography of mankind, and his plan to rescue us—starting with two people in a garden, ending with multitudes in a glorious city.

• Complain to God, using Psalms and the book of Lamentation, to remind Him of His love and promises, and to ask for help, such as “Help me, God; in You I put my trust.” (Psalm 16)

If you’ve a question, or would like prayer, I’d love to hear from you; just email me a phone number and day/time convenient for you to receive my call—or email me your prayer request (it’s confidential).

God loves you. Thank you for your essential service!

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Chaplain Linda Ahrens Chaplain American Jail Association

Source: The Bible

Note: The opinions expressed in the article are my own as a volunteer chaplain and do not reflect the views of any other entity.

At AJA.org–Publications—Wellness Printable Brochures, download any of the 100+ free leaflets on AJA’s website, written for correctional staff and your loved ones. Categories cover: After a Jail Incident, Experiencing Loss, Communication, Emotions, Health, Marriage, Parenting, Suicide Prevention, and Spiritual Matters.