By: Donna Bucher
Everyone struggles with some form of pain and suffering in
their lives. Perhaps a long standing illness, or unresolved relationship issues;
even a struggle with job loss or financial hardship. At times, a faith issue, where
God seems absent, silent, or distant, inflicts anxiety of mind.
While pain in some form exists in our lives, we often wonder if
suffering has a purpose. The first chapter of the letter of James offers help
for understanding trials of all kinds. Join me as I share 3 ways God uses
suffering in our lives.
Guilty of
a common misconception among Christians, I thought when I became a Christian,
obeyed God, and performed good works, God would exclude me from suffering.
For many years I angrily questioned God regarding the
suffering in my life. Inflicted with the same malady many Christians have; "entitlement", I failed in seeing any good purpose for pain in my
life.
Considering James 1:2-4, God
reminds us to "count it all joy”, when facing trials because we know God is perfecting
our faith. We learn on the other side of the suffering, when it completes its
perfect work in us, we find joy.
“Consider it pure
joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the
testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish
its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
James 1:2-4
3 WAYS GOD
USES SUFFERING IN YOUR LIFE
Understanding 3 ways God uses suffering in your life helps you
view trials from a different perspective.
Suffering Produces Perseverance
Testing in the furnace of suffering, yields perseverance or endurance.
Not the “grit your teeth” and bear it resignation type of endurance; this
perseverance results in a patient but active waiting. The type of perseverance
produced by pain offers a hope-filled perspective.
The same testing of your faith producing perseverance, also
strengthens your faith. Until you experience pain and suffering you rely on
your own strength. When you walk through dark valleys you learn to know God
more deeply and your faith becomes strong.
Suffering Produces Maturity
Hardship builds character, integrity, and mental toughness. Allowing
a broader perspective than our myopic little worlds.
Suffering Produces
Humility
Without pain you cannot fully experience joy; nor understand
hope. Apart from pain and suffering you remain self-sufficient and self-focused,
and even “God forgetful”. Suffering reminds you of your need for God and the
truth that you have no real control over life’s events. Pain heightens our
awareness of what is truly important.
While
accepting pain and suffering in my own life is never easy, knowing God has a
loving purpose for it helps.
Though not always the author of pain and suffering in my life,
God often allows it for my good and His ultimate glory. Lovingly the God of all
comfort, He strengthens, and walks with me in every trial.
Pain and suffering revealed selfishness, anger, unkindness,
and unforgiveness in my heart. The continual work of trials slowly replaces the
hardness of these traits with the softness of compassion, empathy and
forgiveness. Through the process of pain and suffering, God removes the
harshness of sin, revealing His glory in me.
Which of the 3 ways God uses suffering most comforts you?
Find more encouragement and FREE Resources at Serenity in Suffering!
If you enjoyed this post, please share on social media with
the buttons below!
Photo from Canva.com
Producing perseverance is so beneficial in my life. I tend to be someone who likes things done now. Trials that cause me to wait on the Lord are good for me.
ReplyDeleteYes, we grow through suffering and we can use our experience to help others.
ReplyDelete