The Bible tells us of a number of reasons that we experience suffering and trouble during our time on this earth.
- Our own foolishness (1 Peter 2:20)
- For taking a stand for righteousness and faith (1 Peter 3:14-15, 4:19, Eph. 6:12-18, Rev. 12:10, Rom. 8:33-39)
- A specific sin (1 Cor. 11:31, Gal. 6:7)
- The sinful nature of every one of us, living in a fallen world (Rom. 5:12, Rom. 8:21-23); also as a result of living where bad choices are made by others (Proverbs 29:2, Matthew 16:21)
- A higher purpose of God, showing His will, so that He is praised (Acts 7:6-7, 9:16, John 9:3b)
- To train us, strengthen our walk (Heb.12:6, 10, Rom. 5:3, John 15:2, 8)
- To test our faith for genuineness (Job 23:10)
- To be able to comfort others (2 Cor.1:4)
- To remind us of our Saviour and Lord Jesus, Who He is, of His perspective on suffering, and eternity (Heb. 12:1-3).
If we are Christians, we should look to Him, the Author and the Finisher of our faith, Who, for the joy set
before Him, endured the cross, despising its shame, and is victorious for our peace and rest. Let us run with patience, the race He has marked out for us, laying aside our sin and any self-seeking desires which would entangle us. Let us consider Him, lest we become weary and discouraged in our souls. (This paragraph was based on Hebrews 12:1-3).
Jesus understands.
Rejoicing in the Lord
If we know the Creator of heaven and earth, the living God, as our Saviour and Lord, we have every reason to rejoice in Him! This does not mean we cannot grieve. It doesn’t mean that we should be happy about everything either. The phrase, “Rejoice in the Lord” clarifies what/whom we can rejoice about and the Bible also teaches us why/how we can do that. (Phil. 4:4-5)
There is a deeper joy than just natural happiness. This joy can be in our hearts despite distresses and losses. It is produced by the Spirit of God in a person who is surrendered/committed to being in God’s will. We don’t have to “find joy” in our own strength or ability. (Col. 1:11, Gal. 5:22)
But the Bible’s instruction to “rejoice in the Lord always” never means that we must be rejoicing about what God doesn’t rejoice about. He isn’t happy about sin. And He isn’t happy about the results of sin.
This was something that I heard many years ago at a ladies meeting from a pastor’s wife who was telling us the story of when she gave birth to a severely-disabled child. (Eventually, that young couple began a ministry for families with disabled children.)
She felt initially guilty that she could not rejoice about her son’s suffering. Her husband reminded her that she did not need to rejoice about the result of sin’s curse in this world but rather “in the Lord”.
Someday that curse will be gone (Rev. 22:3) but for now, we live in a world that is groaning waiting for that day and it is alright, even expected, to groan about sin and the impact of sin in our world (Rom. 8:18-23, 2 Cor. 5:1-9, ).
Yes, of course, she could rejoice in the Lord, she could do that!
Hope – Confidence in the Future
Here are lyrics from a song I wrote a number of years ago based on a portion of Romans 8 and other Bible passages.
“…Now the God of all creation Sees His works now marred by sin,
Hears the groans of all creation Waiting for redemption –
Free from death, decay, and sin’s bondage, When the glory is revealed,
When weak bodies clothed immortal, Raised in pow’r to be like His….
….Made anew forever to praise Him, Humbly come before our King,
Hearts are cleansed by His great mercy Now surrender everything;
Holy God, touched by our weakness, Has endured the cross, the shame,
Looking to the joy before Him, To that great triumphant day!”
Some day God will restore His creation but until then, our world suffers. The reality is that I’m part of that world now.
But God does keep all of His promises and some day, He will make everything right and His creation will rejoice!
For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come.” (Hebrews 13:14) And the description of that heavenly city includes this verse – “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4
“So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.” 1 Peter 4:19 (NIV’84)
Courage
Dr. Earl Cooper, a former pastor, provided the following definition, and prayer within a devotional (and said it was free to pass on to others) –
2 Cor. 4:16 – “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.”
Rom. 8:2 – “Because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.”
2 Cor. 5:15 – “And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.”
Phil. 4:13 – “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”
COURAGE – “the ability to control your fear in a dangerous or difficult situation“.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your promise to be with me wherever I go. When I am tempted to doubt and fear, help me remember that You are with me. In light of this promise, may I be strong and courageous no matter what I face. In Jesus name, Amen.
To read more about how God works through the suffering in our lives for the purpose of our good and still loves us, please go to my post entitled, “It Can Be Long”, where I’ve written about the chronic/life-long aspects of environmental sensitivities (linked here when it gets posted) and shared a few music videos.
You might also be interested in my post called, “What Does God Want for a Sick Person?” (linked here when it gets posted).
(The verses on this page are quoted from the NKJV unless otherwise noted.)