Suffering is Part of the Plan

James 1:2 My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing. (NRSV)

Think back to the last time that you suffered physically, mentally, emotionally or even spiritually. And right in the middle of that, right when it was happening, could you see what God was up to, or not? Did there seem to be a point to it, or not?

None of us enjoys suffering. I certainly don’t, and I’m pretty sure that you don’t either. But suffering is a normal part of life and God tells us that when we suffer, we should consider it nothing but … pure joy!!

Come on! Is that bizarre or what!? Well, let’s take a look:

James 1:2-4 My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing. (NRSV)

It seems that God’s amazing plan is that as we face trials of every kind, as we suffer through those, He will strengthen our faith. That’s one of the main reasons for suffering; to build up endurance in your faith, just as an athlete does through constantly pushing his or her body beyond its limits in training.

So far, my record for bad days in my life is that I’ve survived every one of them just fine. That’s a one hundred percent survival rate, and there have been some shockers in that lot, I have to tell you.

As I look back on them, I can see how the Lord carried me through, how He cared and provided for me, how He grew me and moulded me and how He’s used every one of those bad days for good in my life.

Isn’t it amazing how the trials and suffering mature us so that, more and more, we’ll be complete and lacking in nothing?

That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

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• Destiny
• Discovering Meaning
• Jesus
• Missional Living
• Pain & Suffering
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