Joy In Suffering

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials.”
James 1:2 (NKJV)

As we begin to mature in our Christian character we learn to handle trials and tribulations by trusting God when we are in the midst of them, and keeping our joy.

At this time of year our minds turn to the suffering of Christ and his sacrifice.  All of us who are following Jesus are going to have to face fiery trials. 1 Peter 4:12-13 says, “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.”

It is part of God’s plan for His people to learn how to overcome and trust in Him in difficulties and challenges. The key is to walk in worship and praise to God in the midst of trials. We are not praising God for the trials, we are praising Him as an act of worship in the middle of a trial.

Even though the enemy (Satan) may be bringing it, God is able to work good out of it, and very often we learn things about ourselves during trials that we would never see any other way.

This gives us the opportunity to trust God in the midst of our trials instead of murmuring and complaining and feeling sorry for ourselves. We then look at our troubles in a new way. We can endeavour to not act any differently when we are going through a storm than we would if our lives were full of rainbows. (We do not get rainbows until we have been through a storm!)

Going through trial helps us to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.  2 Peter 3:18 tells us to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”  That is why we can have joy in suffering!!

Prayer
Father God, please help us to have joy in our trials and to realize that they are enabling us to become more like Jesus.
Amen

Study by Allan Frankcom

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About the Author:
Allan Frankcom is on the Pastoral Council of the Bristol Congregation of the Worldwide Church of God, UK.  He and his wife, Julie have attended the Bristol Church for over 30 years.

Local Congregation:
Worldwide Church of God Bristol
Emmersons Green Village Hall
Emmerson Way
EMMERSONS GREEN
South Gloucestershire
BS16 7AP

Meeting time:
Saturday 11:30am

Local Congregational Contact:
Allan Frankcom
Email:  jf007d9991@blueyonder.co.uk