IT IS ALWAYS SURPRISING TO DISCOVER how so many people calling themselves “Christians” imagine that having become a believer, all their woes will be gone and their life in this world will somehow become trouble-free. This kind of thinking has been encouraged by the huge powerbase of the “Word of Faith” movement, which teaches that material success and full bodily health are signs of being God’s children, and the Charismatic Movement with its ‘happy-clappy’ mentality — always expecting blessings and ‘groovy’ (alias ‘wacky’) experiences rather than challenges and unpleasant ordeals. However, these entirely false notions are actually a reversal of the truth about how God’s people will fare in this present world, and for very good reasons.
For this world as it is currently constituted (i.e. in its unredeemed, 3-dimensional, physical matter form) is inevitably a suffering environment and will continue to be so until the end of this present age. In other words, from the time of the Divine judgement as a result of the Fall (Genesis 3:16-19), suffering is actually built into this physical universe and is not going to be eradicated this side of Jesus’ return but, in fact, will inevitably worsen as the end of the age approaches. (Even the Second Law of Thermodynamics shows that all systems degenerate and break down into chaos [here expressed in a very simplified manner]). This is where the whole concept of the new aeon to come comes into play. Making this present fallen world into a utopia is not at all to be an aim in our lives, for that concept has its origins not only in occult aspirations (for details of which see pages 163-185 in my book, “The Serpent and the Cross”) but in a very myopic view of life which fails to see the only way that suffering will end is through the total transformation of this universe by Divine intervention into one in which there will be no more death or decay (Revelation 21:-5), when the new aeon (of which we are already experiencing the birth-pains, Matthew 24:8) takes over from the old after its destruction.
Of course, there are many things one can do to alleviate suffering and make life somewhat more bearable in this twisted world during the countdown of “this present evil age” (as Paul calls it in Galatians 1:4). There is also much we can do to help others — indeed, the spiritual life is all about service-to-others (in service to the Divine) rather than service-to-self. But it is a real epiphany to realise that each individual being has his or her own unique journey which will inevitably involve unique experiences of suffering — in some instances maybe even a whole lifetime of it — which has not just happened randomly but is there for a purpose: Our growth and spiritual development. Thus, adversity is a blessing and not a curse! Human existence and especially the essence of spirituality is about how one responds to that adversity. If one is not a disciple of Christ, then one’s suffering should drive him or her into the arms of Jesus. If one is a disciple of Christ, then one’s suffering should be brim full of lessons and, for those reasons, should be welcomed.
The Different Kinds of Suffering
There are many different kinds of suffering. First, there is the suffering which one brings on oneself by making bad or stupid life-choices; which is easily remediable in its cause (e.g. stop making the bad or stupid life-choices!). Second, there is the suffering which is imposed on us by being born into a world of decomposing fallen matter (e.g. death, bereavement, disease, accidents, famine, natural catastrophes, etc.). Third, there is also the suffering which we choose to undergo by playing the victim; so many thrive on moaning about their challenging situation instead of living it to the full or transforming it, or they act offended the whole time: “Poor me! [Boohoo!]” [As a sidebar here, I can’t take any pleasure in listening to blues music lyrics as they are all about people moaning about their situation as victims instead of handling it with dignity or dealing with it. “Mah baby dun left me, so I took a shot of gin, [always x 2]. If yuh don come back to me soon woman, I’m gonna pull that firing pin”, bla-bla. The blues is victim-wallowing instead of transforming the misfortune into something glorious. (Before you start to lecture me about being “racist” and that the blues was born out of real suffering, let me tell you that very many people have lived through terrible circumstances in this world and made the best out of it, even turned it around completely, rather than moan about it incessantly in a boringly predictable twelve-bar music pattern!)]. Fourth, there is also the suffering which we must undergo as we work out whatever it is in life which is stacked up against us by the ‘destiny’ meted out to us by God which is part of our soul journey, or which we chalk up on our way through life as a result of our actions. This we have to deal with in our own way on our path through this world. It is not up to other people to save us from it. It is up to us to face it and deal with it in the wisest and deepest manner possible.
Suffering Can Be a Gift
Although others can be there for us in support in our suffering, frankly sometimes (maybe often) we simply have to ‘suck it up’. We might even have to see our suffering as a gift. Yes, suffering as a gift! Just let that soak in for a moment. Is that a totally new concept for you? That chronic illness which you have which is never going to go away but which you will have to live with until it is time for you to let this broken body go. That is your gift in this life. Oh yes! A gift! You can kick against that all you like but when you melt into the acceptance of it you will see its beauty — what opportunities it provides. For everything is a lesson. That’s why we are here. Maybe we have to bear the suffering as our lesson. Maybe our lesson is to rise above the suffering and use it to transform our lives. Maybe we are suffering so that we can more empathically help others in their suffering. Most people do not share this perception of suffering because they have no belief in a higher power. But when you realise that your suffering is used by your Creator to bring you to Himself, or to ‘bring you on’ in your growth and development if you are His child — to sanctify you, no less — it revolutionises your outlook entirely, as you will begin to see the supernatural dimension to suffering.
You may look at those poor people starving in a far-off country and feel acute compassion (and believe me I do, and I have wept many tears over it). There may be endless funds flowing into such a place to attempt to alleviate the situation. But if individuals there found a way to somehow hitch a ride and take themselves away from that catastrophic situation and thereby develop themselves and their family somewhere else entirely, then the world would be their oyster and they will have space to grow and learn with very different experiences. So, we may either have to live with the suffering and deal with its fallout, or it may be a catalyst for us to move away from our experience as ‘victims’ and learn more about the journey of our life, though other forms of suffering will still inevitably come later on.
Let me mention here the relevant experience of the Apostle Paul, who suffered what he called “a thorn in the flesh”, which he recognised as having been given to him by God as a method of keeping him humble because he had undergone so many deep and extraordinary spiritual experiences (2 Corinthians 12:6). He actually says that this “thorn” was “given” to him as a Divine gift. That portion of scripture also shows not only that God had given Paul the “thorn” but that it had come through the mediation of Satan, who God was obviously using to fulfil His higher purposes, thereby providing further proof of the archdemon’s subservience — that even fallen angels (demons) function as “ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation”, Hebrews 1:14. After all, the text does say “all” angels”, so even the fallen ones come under that category, though not in the same ameliorative spirit as the good angels! Within that whole event of Paul’s thorn in the flesh is a mass of teaching about the use of suffering as a gift for the greater good and the fact that out of human weakness comes spiritual strength. As Paul puts it:
“To keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness’. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:7-10).
Can you also say this: “For the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties”? This is the true attitude of the genuine disciple of Christ. It is not about looking for blessings and big rewards all the time, expecting God to heal us in every way, as so many professing “Christians” think should be the case, for in the world we will inevitably have affliction (John 16:33). It is about recognising the blessings in adversity and embracing them. “For when I am weak, then I am strong” — another great paradox of the spiritual life. Subordinating our egos to the will of Christ and discovering how to transform our suffering into a tower of strength is a secret which disciples of Christ must inevitably learn, and they should wish to do so.
The Vast Unfolding Flower of Suffering
One has to look across the world and see the vast unfolding flower of suffering for what it is and realise the price which is being paid through the Fall and the lessons which arise out of that. Yes, we can help others, but others have to help themselves and come to terms with their suffering rather than becoming ‘infantilised’ by being ‘over-helped’ through well-meaning interference which undermines valid and necessary human experience. One cannot take upon oneself all the suffering of the world. We must thus realise that suffering is not merely an uncomfortable anomaly in this world but is in fact the very essence of it, providing a unique opportunity for each human being according to the lives they have been Divinely allotted. One therefore has to be careful not to negate that opportunity and ensure that those who suffer are not deprived of the necessary lessons therein by reaching for comfort and immediate palliation. Now you may find it strange for me to say that. You may even think that it sounds callous and uncaring. So we must go a little deeper into these challenging thoughts.
Each life is being lived in accordance with its sufferance-load and its point on the learning-scale. Yet, suffering is a gift which provides an opportunity to hurl oneself into what I call ‘the alchemy of adversity’ — the spiritual power to transmute all suffering into a crown of glory (even if the suffering continues). Really, the ultimate solution for suffering is to follow the Light in Christ, for then one will be working with the powers which created the cosmos in the first place and which can bring about that transformative alchemy within you! That is infinitely better than wallowing in some awful suffering without any sense of hope.
Coming to This Life is Like Entering ‘Room 101’
This world in its present state has never been intended as a happiness playground of bliss and head-bobbling coolness. Coming to this earth is like entering the ‘Room 101’ which is portrayed in Orwell’s dystopian novel, “1984”. It is a world where one has to face one’s darkest fears. It is an arena for the suffering and hardship necessary in the life of our souls as we reap what we sow — not to mention the interference of the demonic realm which has been temporarily permitted to blight the show on earth during this present evil age for a higher Divine purpose. The only way out of this mess is to follow the Light of the Christ with all the passion of our hearts and souls.
We are certainly not here to be continually pampered and bathed in luxury, wallowing in feelgood security. That is a materialistic trap which will guarantee that we remain stuck in the compromised life of a Faustian kiss. For we must become disillusioned with this world and what it has to offer, relinquish all expectations of fulfilment here, embracing Christ the Light, so that ultimately we can step into another world which has no roots in mere physical matter but is truly a kingdom which is out of this world (yet having its beginnings within it).
Neither are we meant to be infinitely wallowing in suffering without learning its necessary lessons. Recognising this and stepping through the narrow gate onto the difficult pathway which leads to the full spiritual experience of life is the only possible exit strategy for the suffering soul. It is of considerable significance that the pilgrim disciple of Christ in John Bunyan’s “Pilgrim’s Progress”, when he comes to what is described as “a delicate Plain called Ease”, he was also said to have been “quickly got over it”. Indeed. I have to smile there. There will be times of relief or ‘ease’ gifted to the disciples of Christ. But that is not the permanent natural state of the spiritually-awake human, who must be torn apart and broken down in order to be made whole. That involves “denying ourselves”, entering the the afflicted way of life through the narrow gate (Matthew 7:14), and following the Scripture which says, “whoever loves his life will lose it, but whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life” (John 12:25). However, in our sufferings, it is far better to suffer for the sake of Truth and Light rather than be an incessant victim of wilful ignorance and all the payback for our deeds, good or bad. Let’s now expand on this way of thinking so we can see how it works out in practice…
Life is a Grand Gymnasium
Therefore, every morning when I awaken (after feeling gratitude for a life still lived and some considerable amazement that I am still alive!), I make this affirmation: “Dear Lord, may I be open to any experience which comes my way today?” I always place the accent on the word ‘any’. It is very easy to be open to pleasant and familiar experiences but how open are we to unexpected ones — even what one might think of as being ‘unpleasant experiences’? This is the space in which I want to be. Every day. Even though there are some days when I say it with some trepidation and wonder if I am going to bite off more than I can chew (though somehow, thank the Lord, I never seem to do so, for He never lets us be tested beyond what we are capable of handling, as specifically stated in 1 Corinthians 10:13)! To be continually able to regard every occurrence, no matter how seemingly ‘bad’, as an adventure and a boon in one’s life is a very special head-space to get into.
This is a serious issue. For behind it lies the extraordinary notion (which I believe with all my heart) that life is a grand gymnasium. The original meaning of a gymnasium speaks to me in such a way that it is not merely somewhere one can exercise oneself in every way (although I take that meaning into it too) but also particularly carrying the idea that the whole of the experience of life is a school. In some languages, a school is actually called a ‘gymnasium’. Interestingly, the word itself comes from the Greek, gumnazein, which originally meant to exercise naked. This is poignant. For we have come into existence precisely in order to learn as vulnerable people standing naked before the Ruler of the cosmos as pupils and students in the universe. Two of the unexpected major ways that we learn in this ‘gymnasium’ are through the making of mistakes and having adverse experiences. I want to look at these two in a little more detail.
Learning Through Mistakes
We live in a world in which it is, in a way, frowned upon to make mistakes — so people will give us a ‘tut-tut’ or a ‘tsk-tsk’ or we have to keep apologising for them or feel foolish about them or ashamed of making them. In school or at work we are harshly penalised for even the smallest of errors. People often ridicule others when they make mistakes. But such ridicule is really the result of profound ignorance. People need to be given the space to allow themselves to be vulnerable enough to make mistakes without being cursed for it by others. Life is a trial-and-error process. So, let us not go on a victim-based guilt trip if we mess up from time to time. Personally, I am happy to make occasional mistakes and will not spend my time chiding myself for it (unless it affects others, in which case I need to make reparations for that). Acknowledge it, apologise for it (if it affects someone else), repent before God for it, learn the lessons which it generates, then move on and do not make the same mistake again. Mistakes only become undesirable when they keep being repeated; for then it shows that the lessons have not been learned and the repentance was not wholly genuine.
Learning Through Adverse Experiences
The other major way that we learn is through having adverse experiences. While it would be foolish to go out seeking such experiences, we should not shy away from them when they happen to us. For there is a sacred pattern to them. I have found that an adverse experience will come into my sphere at precisely the moment when I need to learn the lesson which is associated with it. That lesson may be small, or it may be vast. For example, if I try to obtain something but it continually eludes me so that I am bereft of it, what does that tell me? It could be teaching me the art of patience, or it could be showing me that my wants are not the same as my needs. When some cataclysmic event happens in the world, rather than go into a dramatic, self-centred meltdown, this is another opportunity to learn major lessons in the quietness of our hearts. Why has this happened? How can I help? What good will come out of it? And so on. If I am robbed at knifepoint, instead of going into victim-mode and running around telling everyone how traumatised I am, would it not be better to go quietly into my room and meditate on what the experience might be teaching me? Is it teaching me to be more courageous and less fearful? Is it teaching me to not be so attached to my stuff? Is it teaching me to relish adventure and the unexpected? There are any number of permutations. If we ask the right questions honestly, then we will get good answers. And here is the biggie: What if I am diagnosed with some terminal illness? There are reasons that the body degenerates in this life. The event that we call ‘death’ is not merely the horror-story that we have been conditioned to believe that it is. It is a transition at a particular moment in our journey. Life does not last long even if we live into ‘old age’. It is nothing. Just a whisker on the outskirts of infinity. Being diagnosed with a terminal illness is actually a piercing opportunity to meditate on the place and purpose of what we call ‘death’. How can I die nobly and honourably? How can I use this experience to help others? Have I truly reconciled myself with the Creator of the cosmos, the One who has created me? Have I dedicated my life to exposing darkness and spreading the Light of Christ? The same is true if a loved one receives such a diagnosis. Such times are learning experiences on steroids. I could say the same of any seeming tragedy. For tragedy is all around us, waiting to be milked of its lessons; and there are many of those. This whole creation, in terms of what it has become, is actually one vast tragedy and our experience in it is going to be just as tinged with tragedy.
The Scourge of Spiritual Bypassing
Today it is very trendy to ‘think positively’ and to avoid any kind of seemingly ‘negative’ experience. It is even said by some that negative experiences only happen to us if we allow ourselves to think negatively. Not only is this provably untrue but if we demonise all bad experiences as unnatural and somehow only happening to spiritually inferior people, not only is that a narcissistic way of thinking but it actually attempts to bypass the negative experiences which are necessary for us to undergo as part of our deep education in this gymnasium of a world. Bypassing seemingly ‘negative’ experiences also nullifies the work of the spiritual powers which work with us to improve us and ‘bring us on’ through both glory and gargantuan challenges. Thus, whenever I find myself in what could be seen as ‘adverse conditions’ (when viewed very superficially), I ask myself three seminal questions: 1) “Why is this happening to me?”, 2) “What does God want me to learn from this?”, and 3) “How can I make this situation work for me in beneficial ways?” When those questions are asked honestly and from the heart, extraordinary things begin to happen in our lives. For at that point we are cooperating with invisible powers which will certainly come to our aid.
A False Sense of Entitlement to Comfort
Thus, seeing the world as a gymnasium (a learning academy and exercise centre), if one is to grow through any seeming adversity, one must inevitably learn that such adversity is a gilded opportunity for learning and growth. “Gilded”, because it gilds the thorns which afflict us in this life. Our big problem is that we generally believe that we have a complete right and entitlement to cosy repose and being comfortable 100% of the time, which is a totally false conceit. For this world, as it is in its fallen state, is the realm of suffering and injustice. These comprise the normal state for the human in this fallen world and we are here primarily not to find ways to escape it, avoid it or get round it but rather to go into it, through it, experience it and, ultimately therefore to transcend it, and thereby grow as a result of it. This is how we ameliorate seemingly ‘negative’ circumstances.
Final observations
In England in the 17th century, the average life expectancy at birth was 30 to 35, with about 25% of people dying before they were even 5 years old. Imagine that! Thus, a person was in the prime of his or her life at around 16 to 20 years old. Even merely one hundred and fifty-six years ago, in 1870, life expectancy at birth was around 40 years old. Just get that in perspective. Because this world is plagued by evil (both from within and from without, if you understand me), all that being enabled to live longer has meant is that powermongers have longer to hatch their evil plans and those who provide their fodder have longer to be their slaves. The bottom line is this: It is not important how long we live but how well we live. I am not speaking about how clever we are at virtue-signalling, or how religious we are, or how pseudo-pious we are, or how civically upright we are. By saying “how well we live”, I mean how authentically, compassionately, openly, lovingly, creatively and, above all, how selflessly we live as counterculture pioneers. We are not here to follow the crowd or conform to a sick culture. We are here to be courageous avatars of truth and Light, not cowardly purveyors of lies and fright.
Lastly, in this little study about the need to embrace adversity — for it is a blessing not a curse — let me say that those who dedicate their lives to promoting the love and Light of Christ understand well that everything is a lesson in this life and they avidly look for those lessons in everything. For even in nature, in the faces of animals and children and in the unfolding stories of our own lives — whether seemingly good or ‘bad’ — lessons are to be found which will lead us into progressively deeper territory. Is that not where we want to be, and indeed should be?
.
.
.
© Copyright, Alan Morrison, 2026
[The copyright on my works is merely to protect them from any wanton plagiarism which could result in undesirable changes (as has actually happened!). Readers are free to reproduce my work, so long as it is in the same format and with the exact same content and its origin is acknowledged]
.
