Jim Carrey, actor and comedian, best known his role in classic movies like The Grinch, The Mask and Bruce Almighty (just to name a few) was recently recorded saying this.
“I’ve had some challenges in the last couple of years myself. And ultimately, I believe that suffering leads to salvation. We have to somehow accept and not deny, but feel our suffering. And then we make one of two decisions. We either decide to go through the gate of resentment which leads to vengeance which leads to self harm which leads to harm to others. Or we go through the gate of forgiveness which leads to grace. Just as Christ did on the cross. He suffered terribly and He was broken by it. To look upon the people who were causing that suffering or the situation that was causing that suffering with compassion and with forgiveness. That’s what opens the gates of Heaven for all of us.”
Carrey shared that his own suffering is what led him to God. Something that many of us can relate to.
For so many actors and celebrities, their lives are constantly on display. Every move they make is watched and criticized causing many of them to turn to things to numb the pain. But, it’s the pain and suffering that sets the stage for hope. Jim Carrey beautifully described the two paths that suffering can lead you down, famous or not.
Today, I hope that you choose Jesus over anger or sorrow. And you let your suffering bring you closer to Jesus and the redemption found only through Him.