Jerry Maxfield, Guest Contributor
“Consider it all joy….when you encounter various trials….” James 1:2
Suffering.
Count it all joy? Huh?
None of us enjoys suffering or facing tribulation in our lives, so how do we square this biblical challenge? It is all about perspective. It is how we look at our circumstance which leads to how we deal with these “various trials”.
There are 3 basic reasons why we suffer:
- Sin or a consequence of sin: Our poor choices often lead us to experience the result of straying from God’s perfect plan for our lives. A recovering alcoholic could have repented of his or her abuse from long ago, but perhaps now suffers from a degraded and failing liver. That’s a consequence. We also live in a fallen world, and our suffering sometimes results from the sin of others. God will also discipline those He loves (Hebrews 12:6) to bring us back into a right relationship with Himself. We can be glad He loves us just that much. That’s a good thing, though his discipline may not always be pleasant.
- Character building: Some suffering builds and matures those qualities that will benefit us down the road while bringing us closer to God. With the right attitude, our suffering builds perseverance, character, and hope (Romans 5:3). Suffering produces within us patience, sympathy, and humility. An athlete may struggle through the rigors of training in an effort to shine during the big race or game. Suffering tests our faith. Faith that is not exercised cannot grow. It has been said, “One cannot be an overcomer unless he has something to come over!”
- Glorifying Christ: Sometimes the Lord allows suffering to simply glorify Himself. This could be accomplished through a miraculous healing or even by drawing others to Himself, by how we react to and handle our own suffering. This kind of undeserved suffering could be an example of God trusting us. He trusted Job and even gave Satan permission to produce all kinds of havoc in Job’s life (Job 1:6-12).
Remember, joy is different than happiness. We are not “happy” about our suffering, but we can be “joyful” in it. Joyful in knowing our Lord disciplines us just as a loving earthly father would correct his child. Try to view your suffering as God maturing you into His own image, making you more and more like Jesus. And sometimes we allow Jesus to draw honor and glory in how we handle our difficulties. Chemo is no fun. Grief is not a welcome guest. But through it all….let others see Jesus in you. After all, He certainly suffered for you and me upon that cruel cross.
Just remember…
“After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.“ 1 Peter 5:10
If we can “count it all joy” when trained by His discipline, we will find it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness (Hebrews 12:11).
Be at peace.
DIG DEEPER
Read “One Truth You Need to Consider: Trials as Joy” by Michael Kelley
