Did you know that there are some people that are addicted to suffering? You can take just about anything and turn it into a high. And this can happen with suffering. Why is it that believers feel they should not suffer? Do you enjoy suffering?
When we look around at the world we live in, pain and suffering are rampant. There is really no way to escape it. Maybe the way that I suffer differs from the way that you do. Although we are all guaranteed death we don’t know how we will go out.
Every Thursday I will be using scriptures to bring you some encouragement along with some other sister bloggers I have joined.
As soon as you read this short encouragement you will find the links to other encouraging posts on the other blogs.
James 1:2 Consider it pure joy my brothers and sisters whenever you face trials of many kinds,
I’m not really looking forward to diving into this scripture because I’m also encouraging myself through this post. Usually, whenever you minister, discuss, or talk about biblical concepts you just might find a trial coming your way. But here we go.
As a believer, I am not looking forward to suffering. I phrased the former sentence that way because every single thing that I would count as suffering seems minuscule in comparison to what others face.
Right now, there are more people than usual experiencing suffering. Believers are losing hope, becoming depressed, and losing their joy because of circumstances beyond their control.
James is encouraging us to be happy in the face of suffering. How can we do that? Is that even a possibility?
YES.
I have a 2-year-old girl and when she started teething, I felt her pain. She would be so uncomfortable that she would cry for long periods. It was something that she had to go through. I couldn’t stop it even if I wanted to.
And I couldn’t help but think of all the other obstacles that she would have to face as she grew up. I thought of the classmates she would have and if she would suffer bullying or isolation. If I allowed my thoughts to continue in that way, well I would probably develop anxiety.
My saving grace was realizing that suffering produces growth and maturity. She is going to face every obstacle no matter how painful and become an adult one day should God spare her life.
Trials are going to come, you can be happy as you go through each one because God will be with you every step of the way.
James 1:2- Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 1. God is preparing you for something you are not ready for. 2. This is confirmation that you are HISClick To Tweet
The trials that come are from God and he knows exactly what you need, to reach to the place that he wants to take you to. Maybe that difficult situation that you just went through is preparing you to write a book. It could be preparing you to encourage a friend or family member that is going through it now.
Consider it pure joy because God is still working on you and this is confirmation that you are HIS.
Are you going through something painful right now? Take comfort in the fact that God is with you.
Leave a comment letting me know what you think “pure joy” means.
Get more Thankful Thursday Encouragement from my fellow blogger friends:
Trisha @ Joy of Reading
Nicole @ The Christian Fiction Girl
Jacquelyn @ A Heavenly Home
Jessica @ A Baker’s Perspective
Becca @ The Becca Files
Gina @ Stories by Gina
Rebecca @ Rev. Rebecca Writes
Andi @ Radiant Light
Leslie @ Words of Hope
Claudia @ Claudia Moser
Hi there, are you a blogger? Would you like to join us in sharing encouragement from the Word of God every Thursday? Don’t be shy! Contact Trisha or Nicole today!
P.S. These awesome blog sites have all the latest fiction book reviews if you are somewhat like me and love reading.
