Do all things without complaining or arguments; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world. Philippians 2:14-15
“To know how to suffer without complaining, that’s the only practical thing, that’s the great skill, the lesson to learn, the solution to life’s problems.”
Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890) in Life According to Vincent, edited by Nienke Bakker and Ann Blokland (Van Gogh Museum) 140.
On the recent GTP trip to Kazakhstan, Michael and I endured a difficult sleeping situation. The heat was in excess of 30-36°C / 86-97°F by day and there was little breeze so it did not cool off at night and we had no air conditioning.
We prayed, tossed, and turned, fell asleep, then woke up sweaty and did it again. It was hard. We managed not to complain, but endured it for 5 nights. The sleep deprivation exhausted us. I slept much of the way home and another 10 hours last night.
I think our hosts noticed our willingness to endure difficulty. I think we shined like lights. But if I am honest, I don’t always have shining moments. A lot of times I complain. When things are not right, I struggle. Perhaps you can relate?
Today, I chose to use Vincent’s painting of Sunflowers as the header image. He actually wanted to be known as the painter of sunflowers and did at least five. This is one of them. I connect it to knowing how to suffer for a specific reason.
The most generous response to suffering is not grumbling, complaining, or arguing. It’s pressing on. He did one painting of sunflowers, then another, then another, then another, then one more. He pressed despite the brokenness around him.
May our generosity today shine like a light or bring beauty like a flower. And may we look to the example of Jesus to know how to suffer. Sometimes how we navigate life’s difficult moments makes the most generous contribution to the place God has us.