The Paradox of Suffering - Part 1

a 3-part series on the hope of Christ

by Renee Gowler


Last month, I had the privilege of having dinner with Joni Eareckson Tada. Have you heard this amazing woman’s story?

When Joni was an energetic, athletic 17 year old girl, she had a tragic diving accident, and she was instantly paralyzed from the neck down. She has spent the last 47 years in a wheel chair as a quadriplegic. She’s gone through years of therapy to regain just minimal movement of her arms. She can’t dress herself, eat by herself, go to the bathroom by herself, or reapply her own lipstick (which I observed before taking this photo with her, and she wanted to freshen up). 

Joni Eareckson Tada, center, with Renee, far right, and two friends

As if all this wasn’t difficult enough, Joni was diagnosed with breast cancer a few years ago! She went through the cancer treatments and thankfully is now cancer free, but she basically lives in constant pain because of all that her body has endured.

And yet…Joni glows with the glory of God. I have never met anyone like her.

Through the connection of a mutual friend, I was honored to sit around a beautiful table with her at a really fancy steakhouse in downtown Indianapolis (I was totally nervous and felt so out of my league!). As we ate together, I could not get over how gracious and joyful and selfless she was. We were singing songs, she asked to see pictures of my kids, she remembered my name and used it in conversation…she was just so others-focused.

Joni has every reason to be bitter and entitled, but by God’s grace, she is not.

She is a living example of the paradox Paul describes in 2 Corinthians 4:16…”Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.”

Outwardly, Joni is wasting away, decaying, in constant affliction, and yet…inwardly, she is renewed by Christ. There is a vast difference between the state of her body and the state of her soul. Her outward circumstances are utterly distinct from her inward reality.

Truly, it is a paradox.

Are you living in this paradox, too, my friend? Do you experience a similar tension between your outward circumstances and your inward reality? Or are hardships so severe right now that you are just wasting away with no inward renewal?

Have you forgotten that Christ’s resurrection power lives within you?

Let me remind you, sister, that there can be inward renewal because of the power of the Holy Spirit. Even in grueling pain, we can have joy because of Christ. And even in the midst of suffering, we can have hope in Christ.

It doesn’t make sense.

But…it’s possible.

May God be glorified as you display this paradox of suffering to the world around you!



P.S. Do you find yourself asking, “But, HOW!?” How can we experience this inward renewal? HOW does Joni get out of bed every morning? HOW can I have hope in the middle of my suffering? Check back in for Part 2 of this series…the Purpose of Suffering.