Suffering is a Gift

 By Emilie Gruben.

 

Photo Credits: Ann

The world is a tragic place, is it not? Death, despair, poverty, fortification, war; the list goes on and on. Christians most definitely cannot escape it, either, try as we might. How do you find good in the horror that surrounds us? Is there any joy to be imagined when we are constantly bombarded by hate and persecution for Christ? Yes. Most assuredly yes. But finding joy in despair is harder than battles, and is why it is such a lost idea. But we cannot become discouraged in our duty to our faith and other brethren in Christ. No, we must never lose sight of our mission’s goal. 

In this article, I hope to encourage you in your search for seeing the gifted beauty in suffering, and why it is vital that we seek it.

The first step to recognizing the gift of suffering, is acknowledging that God is in charge of everything that happens, and each thing is allowed by His hand. Nothing happens that has not already been predestined by the Father. To recognize that He is in control and will not leave your side during the trials, not before or after. As we can see in the Psalms, David was comforted by this rock-solid assurance in his sufferings. 

“You, who have shown me great and severe troubles, Shall revive me again, And bring me up again from the depths of the earth. You shall increase my greatness, And comfort me on every side. Also with the lute I will praise You— And Your faithfulness, O my God! To You I will sing with the harp, O Holy One of Israel. My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing to You, And my soul, which You have redeemed. My tongue also shall talk of Your righteousness all the day long; For they are confounded, For they are brought to shame Who seek my hurt.” -‭‭Ps ‭71‬:‭20‬-‭24‬ ‭

David had full confidence in what he wrote and prayed. There was no doubt. He knew what he was living through. His tears and pain were as real as the ground he trod upon, but he held fast in faith that Christ would bring him out of it. He promised to sing, to praise. He was confident that those who afflicted him would not go unjudged. That confidence is the recognition I believe we must have, before anything. Even if we don’t feel it, we have to repeat those words until they truly sink in. God will provide through suffering. And from His providence, we prosper. 

After having confidence that the Lord will provide gifts and mercy in the trials and sufferings, we must find in ourselves patience. Have you ever heard the saying “Patience is a virtue?” It is! As listed in the Fruits of the Spirit(Gal. 5), we see that patience, itself, is to be cherished and cultivated as a blessing, but that means we should use it all the time, especially if we are to be honoring God! We can see this clearly written in another Psalm. 

“I waited patiently for the Lord; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps. 

“He has put a new song in my mouth— Praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, And will trust in the Lord. Blessed is that man who makes the Lord his trust, 

And does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. Many, O Lord my God, are Your wonderful works.

“Which You have done; And Your thoughts toward us Cannot be recounted to You in order; If I would declare and speak of them, They are more than can be numbered.”-‭‭Ps‬ ‭40‬:‭1‬-‭5‬ 

We cannot count the amount of blessings that can be found in darkness. In death, misery, and suffering, we grow closer to God and those around us. We lose sight of futile, fleeting things, and seek anchors. We realize the importance of our faith, and enter into the Spirit in a newfound desperate admiration. 

Also in suffering, without the consistent effort to be patient and faithful, we must continue through our doubts. Though small, or few, they can hinder all progress before. Or, if not doubts, seeking help in the world. No amount of counseling, self-help, support, etc, will ever truly help us out of a trial of faith. After all, no one can “help” themselves from sin. Can they? No. Our perseverance to continue in what we believe and know is right, will be our light out.

 Confident faith, patience, perseverance, and joy. Joy in the treasure of eternity promised should be enough to lead us forth without stumbling. God has given us so much that we can rejoice for, even if we have seemingly lost all. If we have Christ, then we must give up all that we had, before. It is all meaningless when set before the feet of Christ. “So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.” Whether we have possessions or have lost all, we must find joy. Joy and perseverance go hand in hand. 

“And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”-‭‭Rom ‭5‬:‭3‬

       Suffering is a gift. All throughout the Bible we see suffering people of God as blessed, and are told to observe the trials and take them as lessons for ourselves. The Isrealites, and how they suffered and were delivered but were not grateful. We see Job’s despairing life from riches to rags. We see David and his sin that led him to ruin, but his faith and repentance from sin that carried him through his sufferings. We often do not realize what things we have until they are gone. Likewise, we see how many things remain when all of the useless things fall away. In the past two years, my family has truly changed. I have seen how much I had before sin struck. And after, I see how much remains. I see how God used sin and perseverance to reward in unseen ways. I am truly saddened by the outcome following sin, but in the growth I, myself, have observed and cultivated, I truly cannot say that I would have life any other way. Suffering is a gift. With time, faith, patience, perseverance, and joy, we can become grateful for it. 

 

 

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter