Living Hope Eclipses Suffering and Pain

A Lesson from Tim Keller

​Victor Frankl, a Jew, survived through multiple Nazi concentration camps. His book, Man’s Search for Meaning, describes the experiences of many who suffered.
 
According to him, some turned brutal and cruel. Suppressing their pain and hardening their hearts, they became indifferent to suffering. Some who were dumped by their spouses became bitter and cynical, trivializing or demonizing the opposite sex. Some gave up all hope, shriveled up, and died.
 
Some held on, hoping someday they might get back what they had lost (e.g. health, family, fortune, and achievements). But after liberation from the camps, with their hope not realized, they became depressed, disillusioned, and even suicidal. They tied their hope to transient objects; when they couldn’t get them, they didn’t want to live anymore.
 
Surprisingly, according to Victor, some didn’t turn brutal and cruel. They had a hope that suffering couldn’t destroy.
 
The differences in their hope determined their life trajectory. Concentration camps condense life into a very short time. To avoid ruination, we need a living hope.
 
Christ suffered immensely. In great sorrow, He even sweated blood at Gethsemane. Through His suffering and resurrection, Christ took our condemnation so that we could be reconciled with God forever (2 Corinthians 5:21).
 
For the joy set before Him, He ran the race (Hebrew 12:2). Seeing what His suffering has accomplished—our salvation—Christ is satisfied. We are the source of Christ’s living hope (Isaiah 53:11).
 
What is our living hope? Let’s learn from 1 Peter 1:3-9.
 
Through Christ’s suffering and resurrection, we can be reconciled to God (v9), and we receive what Christ deserves (2 Corinthians 5:21).
 
One day, there will be no more death, mourning, crying, and pain (Revelation 21:4). Our faith may even result in praise, glory, and honor from God (v7).
 
This is our living hope. It is independent of our circumstances. It is not based on our power, our health, or others’ approval. It is imperishable, safe, and secure in heaven (v3-4).
 
With this living hope, we don’t need to suppress our current grief. Instead, grief and joy can co-exist. In verse 6, both are in the present tense! Current grief can even drive us closer to God. Thus, we could live joyfully even in suffering and pain.
 
Summarized from a Tim Keller’s sermon:
https://gospelinlife.com/downloads/born-into-hope-5219/