The Point of Pastoral Pain

“No pastoral suffering is senseless. No pastoral pain is pointless. No adversity is absurd or meaningless. Every heartache has its divine target in the consolation of the saints, even when we feel least useful. How does a pastor’s suffering achieve the consolation and salvation of his flock? The context of Paul’s words suggests the following scenario: Circumstances conspire to crush a pastor’s spirits — perhaps loss of health, loss of a loved one, defection of a friend, unresponsive people, slander, weariness, personal threats, overwork. Things become so bad that he even despairs of life itself. He cries out, ‘Why?’ The answer comes back from 2 Corinthians 1:9: ‘That was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead'” (Piper, Brothers, We Are Not Professionals, p. 140).