SUFFERING IS NOT FOR NOTHING!

“Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again:  Rejoice!”  (Philippians 4:4, NIV)

Have you ever wondered if trials, frustrations and daily limitations are all there is in this life?  I have, many times.  Sometimes I feel overwhelmingly grateful because of the many blessings the Lord has given me, and other times I feel frustrated, discouraged and depressed.  Because I have a chronic illness and my emotions are often up and down, I feel like a pendulum swinging from side to side, never quite reaching a happy medium.  Have you ever felt this way?

At times like these, I like to remember Scriptures that talk about rejoicing in God.  The Bible is full of verses that instruct us, as Christians, to rejoice in Christ:  Phil. 4:4, Neh. 8:10, Ps. 33:1, Ps. 95:1, I Thess. 5:16-18, Isaiah 61:10 to name a few.  As I quote these verses, joy in my Savior fills my heart, and a smile touches my lips. 

Someone I admire very much in Scripture who had a very hard life was the Apostle Paul.  He encountered imprison- ment, five times he received thirty-nine lashes from the Jews, and three times he was beaten with rods.  He was often exposed to death, stoned, shipwrecked, and lost at sea.  On top of everything, Paul felt the continual emotional strain of his deep concern for the churches (2 Cor. 11:23-28). 

Any one of the horrendous trials Paul went through would have been enough for me.  But Paul was not concerned about his own personal comfort or safety.  His main concern was to glorify Jesus Christ, and further His kingdom, whatever the cost.  Thus, Paul was able to boast about his weaknesses so that Christ’s power might rest on Him (2 Cor. 12:9).

The next time you are tempted to wonder, like me, if this is all there is to life, remember Paul.  It is hard to imagine living a more hazardous life than he did.  As Christians, we are called to suffer for Christ’s sake that others might see His power, strength and grace working mightily in us.  Our suffering is not for nothing!

Dear Jesus – Thank you that our suffering enables others to see Your great power working in us!