Meaning

At the end of the day, don’t we all want our suffering to mean something? Great or small, we want to know that our difficulties were for a purpose, that it wasn’t just difficulty for difficulty’s sake.

I know that some readers may have a different faith walk than I do, and I respect that. I do want to share what has been meaningful to me in my own walk. There is a verse in the Bible that has meant so much to me over the years and especially lately: 1 Corinthians 1:3-4, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.”

I have said before that I haven’t wanted to share my story because I haven’t wanted this to be my story. I need to stop ducking my head into the sand and just look at it in the face for a while. This is one of the stories I have been given, and it is my opportunity now to share it in hopes that someone else may be comforted or encouraged by my experience. Otherwise, what is the point of all of this?

I know that alopecia is not a life-threatening form of suffering and that there are so many more significant issues in the world than this. There have been more significant issues in my own life over the years. But to deny that this is also a form of suffering is dismissive, and to what purpose? Why not instead acknowledge that it has been difficult – and also acknowledge my deep gratefulness that over the years God has comforted me so gently in this sensitive place?

I’ve been thinking about Stephen Covey’s exhortation to “begin with the end in mind.” I first heard this so many years ago, but it is on my mind now more than ever as I consider sharing what I have to give – my story. It is pretty much guaranteed that life is finite. If my experience, my lessons learned, my deep comfort from God all go with me in silence to the grave, was there meaning in them? Or as much meaning as there might have been, if I simply unclenched my fist a little to share with others?

What a gift if someone could be blessed, strengthened, or comforted by this. Whether it’s about alopecia or something other issue that has long distressed someone, to remember and recognize that they are not alone, that they are seen, and that it matters. Our stories matter and giving them to others is one of the most generous and meaningful things we can do with them. God, give me the strength and courage to share mine. I will pray for you, friends, as you share yours.