The Cocoon of Suffering

October, 2006

by: Maureen Learned

Once there was a man who saw a moth struggling to break through and free itself from its cocoon. The man, having compassion on it, clipped open the cocoon and freed the moth. The moth, which normally upon freeing itself flies away, fell to the ground. Its wings were weak and shriveled. It would never fly gracefully through the air. Instead, it would die, lying on the ground.

The man was unaware that the moth must struggle to free itself. It needed to strengthen its wings through the struggle in order to fly. The man, who thought he was helping this beautiful creature, in reality, quickened its demise. He hoped to save the moth from the pain and struggle it was enduring. Yet without the pain and struggle, the moth would never become all that his Creator had intended.

How much are we like the man in this story? When we are in times of pain and struggle, do not we wish that we could have the “cocoon” of suffering cut away? After all, would not that be better than enduring the hardship?

Repeatedly throughout Scripture we receive the answer. James 1: 2-4 says, “Consider it all joy my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”Romans 5:3-4 states, “And not only this, but we exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance and perseverance, proven character and proven character, hope and hope does not disappoint.”

Think about the words the apostles equate with suffering: joy, endurance, perfect, complete, perseverance, proven character and hope. After considering this list, who would not want to endure suffering?

If joy, proven character and hope are the outcome, why should we try to escape trials? Clearly we should do the opposite. We should welcome trials because we know that the Lord will use it to benefit us. Sufferings provides us the opportunity to grow in our own character. But more importantly, it grows us in our understanding of an almighty God.

Job encounters unthinkable tragedy after tragedy. Yet notice his response in Job 42:5, “My ears had heard of you, but now my eyes have seen you.” He experienced God’s refining fire and understood the great blessing of it all. Job witnessed first hand the Lord’s might, holiness and mercy. He knew the Lord as he never did before.

The Westminster Catechism states that the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. Suffering is a wonderful way to accomplish this. Through suffering we learn to die to ourselves and rely on Him. We learn that our ways are not necessarily His ways. Instead, we realize that the Lord is perfectly sovereign and uses our sufferings for our good (Romans 8:28).

So, the next time a trial or suffering comes your way, do not wish to be rid of the “cocoon” so quickly. Instead, thank the Lord for the opportunity. As the moth strengthens its wings through its struggle, we too, will be able to strengthen the wings of our faith in the midst of our sufferings.