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Joy and Suffering?
Considering what we’ve learned about joy
in Christ, is it possible to experience God’s joy even when
life throws suffering, pain, sorrow, and heartache your way? God’s Word
says it is possible to still have joy during these difficult
times.
Why is it so? How can it be?
It is possible because joy depends on
plugging into the Source of Joy—Jesus Christ—and it does not depend on
your circumstances.
Let me be clear. I am not
saying that your suffering is not real. It is very real and painful. I am
not trying to make light of your sufferings. I am certainly
not trying to make you feel like a weak Christian if you are
feeling bad
I am simply trying to point you to Jesus
Christ for the comfort, strength, peace, and provision that
only He can give!
I’m sure you know that there is a
difference between happiness and joy. You can be unhappy
because of your circumstances and still have Christian joy and
peace. You may not even ‘feel’ like you have that peace and joy, but
somewhere, deep down in your soul, it is still there.
It’s still there because it is not
man-made, it is a gift from God that nobody can take away from you. True
joy goes way deeper than happiness. It is that abiding peace Christians
have because they know by faith that they are at peace with God the
Father, through Jesus Christ. He is their Redeemer, and nothing will ever
destroy Him. If you are in Him, then nothing will ever ultimately destroy
you.
Yes, someone or something can take away
your earthly life, but nothing can take you away from Jesus Christ and His
love and grace that He placed upon you. Wow! What a God of grace and
mercy.
There are a couple of passages of
Scripture that people often quote when someone is going through a
difficult time. To the person going through the trial, these verses might
not make much difference right at the time. That is why every
Christian should learn these passages while times are good. Then,
when the trials and tribulations come, they will already have God’s Word
hidden in their hearts, and it will comfort them.
The passages are:
· Romans 8:28, “And we know
that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love
God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
· James 1:2-4, “Consider it
all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that
the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have
its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in
nothing.”
Memorize these passages today, if you
have not already done so. It’s hard to think about these things when
you’re in the middle of turmoil.
Remember what Pastor C. H. Spurgeon said
many years ago, “God is too good to be unkind, and He is too wise to be
mistaken. When you can’t understand what He is doing in your life, you can
still trust His heart toward you.” He loves you, and He will never stop
loving you!
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