THE JOY OF SUFFERING FOR CHRIST
Only with God you can find joy in suffering. God’s unchanging character can anchor you in the darkest valleys. As you draw closer to him in your time of suffering, you can choose joy within your pain and even bring others to God through your example.
When you are suffering, you may not be considering that joy is possible for you. But the Bible tells us that God is with us even in our darkest moments, guiding and leading us towards the joy we can have, no matter our circumstances. A caring Christian Counselor can help you find that joy.
Is Joy in Suffering Possible?
We know that when you are truly suffering, it’s hard to believe that joy is possible unless the suffering stops. However, in Psalm 23 it is mentioned that one can experience joy even in the midst of suffering. You can have joy if you have faith in God.
Psalm 23 talks about walking through dark valleys, even valleys where the shadow of death is present. You may be in a valley like that. But even in that valley, God is walking beside you, protecting you and leading you like a loving Shepherd. Your cup can overflow with joy even in the presence of your enemies or the sources of your deepest suffering.
Only with God you can find joy in suffering. God’s unchanging character can anchor you in the darkest valleys. As you draw closer to him in your time of suffering, you can choose joy within your pain and even bring others to God through your example.
Why Seek Joy in Suffering?
Suffering can feel senseless, especially if you don’t know why it is happening to you. Yet you don’t need to suffer without cause. By choosing the right mindset, you can rise above your suffering and focus on the joy that’s possible for you in Christ Jesus.
Seeking joy in suffering gives you purpose. By contrast, letting suffering simply sweep over you in waves can be disheartening. But if you are looking for signs of joy even while you suffer, your purpose is affirmed, and you can have a measure of hope.
Another reason to seek joy in suffering is to be like Jesus. Though Jesus was holy and mighty, he endured much suffering when he humbled himself to become human. He endured that suffering so that we could be with him forever. Our suffering matters to God, and it helps us become more like Jesus as we endure.
God commends those who suffer for doing what is right, even when the cause of suffering is unfair. This is a mark of character and endurance you can display when you trust God to bring good things out of your hard time. Jesus will help you in bearing your pain.
Suffering in life is inevitable, but your approach towards it makes the difference. If approached positively, every form of suffering can teach you some important lessons of life and also things about you that you might not learn in any other way. In addition, every suffering that you go through can be used by God to save you or to save others through you or both.