The end of the year will soon be upon us.
This year has been unlike anything most of us have ever experienced, fraught with uncertainty and unprecedented challenges which have led to adjustments that can seem foreign and unnatural. And for many, it has also been laden with anxiety and suffering. It seems that so much has been taken from us with nothing offered in return.
I’m willing to bet we have all experienced some form of suffering throughout this past year: deaths of loved ones, isolation, emotional and mental stress, financial turmoil, homeschooling, etc. Each of us has confronted our challenges in our own unique way. Although some have suffered more than others, we all share in the hope for better days on the near horizon.
On the immediate horizon is the Christmas season.
Unfortunately, suffering tends to feel heightened around the holidays. This year can be especially challenging given the fact that our holidays have been greatly impacted. Holidays are symbols. They can cause us to pause for celebration or grief, for togetherness or simply to smile. Holidays are worth recalling because they give us a chance to connect and recommit to an idea that matters to us. When we are deprived of that opportunity, we may find ourselves lost and uncertain.
In times of suffering and uncertainty it helps to have faith.
I realize faith does not come easy or naturally to everyone. And once lost, it can be difficult to regain. Faith does not necessarily make one immune to suffering, but it can help with processing our grief and misfortune. I don’t know the recipe for acquiring faith, but I’ve always found profound truth in the perspective Victor Frankl provides in his memoir, Man’s Search for Meaning:
After a while I proceeded to another question, this time addressing myself to the whole group. The question was whether an ape which was being used to develop poliomyelitis serum, and for this reason punctured again and again, would ever be able to grasp the meaning of its suffering. Unanimously, the group replied that of course it would not; with its limited intelligence, it could not enter into the world of man, ie., the only world in which the meaning of its suffering would be understandable. Then I pushed forward with the following question: “And what about man? Are you sure that the human world is a terminal point in the evolution of the cosmos? Is it not conceivable that there is still another dimension, a world beyond man’s world; a world in which the question of an ultimate meaning of human suffering would find an answer?”
It’s easy to ask what the point of suffering is. Why would a God inflict suffering on His creation? It’s also easy to gloss over the fact that suffering has meaning. It provides us with lessons, appreciation, and perspective. That doesn’t take away from the fact that it can be extremely painful and linger for a long time. However, I do believe suffering can lead to a greater good if we learn to embrace it. And I believe faith can help us in that learning.
Although it’s not the type of present one finds under a tree, faith is the greatest gift one can hope to attain.
My Christmas wish for all of you is the gift of faith.
Stand Strong!
Scott
Thank you Scott, I can not think of anything more important than faith and parents. I love you and wish you a Merry Christmas with your family and nouvel an with the greatest health EVER AND ALWAYS🤲🏼🤲🏼🤲🏼
Miss you, sending big virtual safe hugs/kisses, one for Christmas and one for New year’s Eve😜🥰🎉🎊🥰
Good Read! Thank You*
Merry Christmas and A Blessed New Year.
Hi to Mom & Dad.
Carol & Don
Thought provoking. I appreciate your blogs, always makes me feel better. Merry Christmas and 2021 will be a better year
Well said, Scott. Wishing you and your family a Blessed Christmas, and a happy and healthy New Year.
Thank you for your words of wisdom. Merry Christmas. Karen
Guess I better read that book and get rid of any negative thoughts. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Very good meditation. Merry Christmas to you and your family, Scott !
Thanks Scott. Tough year.
Dear Scott,
You nailed it again.
Your messages carry the most inspirational meanings.
In fact I always read them 2-3x.
Thank you for your wonderful Christmas wishes.
To you & your family Peace, Joy & Faith from me to you.
Merry Christmas🎄
As always, your words are profound. And Victor Frankl…straight from Jim Skerl’s “Christian Manhood” class; Jim would be so proud, Scott. Peace, and, of course, Faith to you this Christmas and always —
Ann Healey
Scott, I love today’s message. I too just finished reading Viktor Frankl’s book “Man’s Search for Meaning”. I love the following quote from his book which I believe truly belongs to you; “the meaning of your life is to help others find the meaning of theirs.” I too accept your Christmas greeting with great joy and wish to extend to you the many blessings from the birth of Our Lord. God bless and Merry Christmas!!
Happy holidays Scott!
The one positive thing about 2020 was I had the chance to visit with you!!
Miss and love you, bud!
Your Christmas wish for us, graciously accepted.
And our wish for you, peace and contentment throughout
holiday season and year ahead.
Your Christmas wish for us, graciously accepted.
And our wish for you, peace and contentment throughout
holiday season and year ahead.
Your post reminded me of a great quote, “Jesus transformed suffering into Divine currency”
God bless you my friend. Merry Christmas, Mark
Great stuff Scott. Frankl’s words are so insightful. Thanks for providing some great commentary to go along with them. Have a great Christmas.
Your faith in the Browns is finally paying off…God bless !!
Scott, thank you for always sharing your heart and soul. “Man’s Search for Meaning” entered my life at a very difficult time. When I read this book, I couldn’t help but reflect on what Victor Frankl and companions in the concentration camps endured. The level of suffering is impossible to wrap my head around. Your writings and your faith always touch me deeply and remind me to stay in the present with gratitude. There are blessings all around us.
Thank you. Love to you and your family at this Holy time of year, calling us to new life.
Scott,
A beautiful post with such great meaning and reflection. I found what you wrote particularly moving because I actually just finished reading “Man’s Search for Meaning” a few months ago. When I visited my mom at her nursing home and mentioned the book, she had a beautiful moment of lucidity and finished my sentence with “Victor Frankl” without the slightest hesitation. Reading your post brought me full circle and a moment of peace. Thank you and Merry Christmas my friend. May 2021 bring you much happiness, good health and the continued gift of faith.
Scott, I love and find so much truth and meaning in your words. Isaac, my brother, frequently shares your blogs with me and my siblings, and while many times I find myself in tears after reading them, I am always able to glean good thoughts and introspective. I appreciate your insight and Isaac for sharing. Merry Christmas and a blessed 2021 to you. Martha