Too Much Joy?

Is there a new trend in the realm of hip Christianity? It seems the idea of “going deep” and “seeking adversity and suffering” has become sort of the “in thing” in many Christian communities. Not to make light of these strategies, their benefits, or to discount their legitimacy, but seeking pain is not really my strong point. I often wonder if it is anyone’s. Granted, in the past many of us were inundated with the “prosperity gospel”; just accept Jesus and your life will be great; bad things only happen to you when you lack faith; and so on. This surely has not lined up with my life experience, but now it seems, we might be doing a one eighty. Perhaps this doctrine of pain and suffering could be tagged the “grieving gospel” or the “suffering gospel”? Although, for me, grieving and suffering are not usually synonymous with “good news”. Retreats of joyful meditation, fun, and fellowship are being transformed into weekend stays filled with discomfort, accountability, and intensely heart aching inner reflection. Perspective attendees brag these retreats are not be “fun”, relishing in the prospect of having a spiritually painful experience. Don’t get me wrong, I get it. It is not the philosophy I question so much as the motive. We grow through suffering and self awareness. I only wonder do we really want to? Though they often suffered and certainly did not walk around in the constant midst of rainbows and butterflies, the disciples did not go off on retreats to intentionally seek their own suffering. Did Jesus not say in Matthew 6:34 "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."? Do we really need to seek suffering? Yes, Jesus knew he was going to suffer on the cross, willingly accepted it, and He looked forward to what was at the end of the suffering, but it seems pretty apparent the actual suffering part was not as appealing to Him. In fact the Lord’s prayer completely omits the word “suffering” or any notion of praying to suffer. Bottom line, I want my retreats to be fun. To be perfectly honest, I have no desire to “feel the pain”. Sure, it helps me grow. Some of my most profitable spiritual growth is the result of suffering. Even so, I shy from suffering and I surely do not pray to suffer. The desire to suffer is not in any fabric of my being. Honestly, though I recognize the benefits, my most sincere gratitude and praise are raised up to God when suffering is not an everyday part of my life. Perhaps I should want to grow and I will certainly accept any suffering that brings me closer to God, but again, if I am just being honest, what I “want” lines up better with the “prosperity gospel”.