Consider if we look at life as colors… some people are vibrant. Joy fills their soul (10 out of 10 Joy). But, what if that is someone else’s (6 out of 10)? There’s an end to exuberance. If not, it would reach scales unbearable or unsustainable. Yet, we’re taught (Neh 8:10) that the Joy of the Lord is our
Meaning that even in our revealed sin, God is still at work in us. So, we should never be without “joy” (Hebrew word meaning “
But this is where the believer can often get confused, because sometimes - meaning can produce
This is how man has wasted his suffering. We’ve forgotten how to suffer and what it offers us. We approach suffering as a virus that we’ll try anything to avoid, instead of seeing it as a feature of human life.
Last week we looked at John 15. Here, Jesus is declaring He is the vine, but He also states the Father is the “
Paul stated in Col 1:24 - I am participating in the sufferings of Christ that continue for His body, the Church, meaning that suffering is unavoidable in bringing the Gospel to the world. Paul goes on to state in Phl 1:29 (Here’s the attitude of Paul concerning his suffering): I consider it a
We do not, by nature, consider suffering a privilege.
When we suffer, if we faithfully represent Christ, our message/example affects us and others for good Acts 5:41. Suffering has these additional spiritual benefits for both us and others in our life…
1. It takes our eyes off of earthly comforts
2. It weeds out superficial faith
3. It strengthens the faith of those who endure
4. It serves as an example to others who may follow us.
Suffering for our faith doesn’t mean that we have done something wrong.
It’s not the wrath of God at work. In fact, the opposite is true:
Suffering displays
Several of David’s Psalms express suffering, reflecting personal anguish/hardship, but also
Psa 22:1 - David utters the words Jesus would speak during His crucifixion. The epitome of suffering beyond emotions. The Psalm, and Jesus’ words, reflects the intensity of the pain and anguish life can offer the believer.
Psa 69:1-4 - David recounts being attacked by enemies; not just physical enemies but also those who were formerly friends - highlighting the betrayal and suffering he endured. He prays for justice and deliverance, yet his focus remains on God’s steadfast love and mercy. While we don’t know specifically what David’s plea is over, we do know he’s under a season of continual attacks.
David spent 7 years serving Saul, to end up running for his life over the next 8 years until Saul’s death.
I want us to look specifically at this period of David’s life, and the suffering, and see an amazing testimony in David. We need to look at 1 Sam 24:1-11 – We can see within this passage that David, in all his suffering, had opportunity. David could’ve put an end to his suffering in one blow… a seemingly justified act against one who was trying to kill him.
But let’s go back to vs 4 - Scripture doesn’t record that God made any such statement to David or his men. The men were offering their own interpretation. They too wanted relief from the suffering, yet they only were focused on their opportunity, not God’s opportunity!
So David is faced with a choice: kill Saul while he’s sleeping or let him live. The first opportunity completely changes and eliminates David’s season of suffering, the other might pro-long it! Again, David’s mighty men are encouraging him to seize the opportunity (1 Sam 26:8) - this was driven by self-will by Abishai. In the heat of emotion, Abishai wanted to kill Saul, but David restrained him. Although Abishai was trying to protect David, David couldn’t hurt Saul because of his love for Saul and his position as God’s anointed king. Abishai may have disagreed with David, but he also respected the one in authority over him as well. Eventually, he became the greatest warrior in David’s army 2 Sa 23:18-19.
Earlier in the message we pointed out suffering has these additional spiritual benefits for both us and others in our life: 4th pt. - “It serves as an example to others who may
Abishai was ready and willing to do what any of us would emotionally want… end this suffering and ongoing battle! This is your deciding point in life: you’ve had enough of whatever life is offering and it leaves you with two decisions:
- Surrender to your self-will
- Persevere in your suffering in Christlikeness for His glory and your growth.
If we can be wise, we can grow through our suffering by deciding to yield to the power of the Holy Spirit. And, believing Psa 46:1 that “God is our refuge,
Yet, what often happens is that we are quick to respond in urgency and, in doing so, our thinking can end up in error. We can mistakenly react in revenge, anger, strife… because we feel entitled to the way we feel because of the suffering we’re going through.
But that’s just our selfish pride that gets in the way of wanting to justify our behaviors for the way life treats us! Our actions represent what we truly believe concerning God’s will and purpose in our life.
What if it’s not a suffering season, but rather hardship/struggle, disappointment in what we desire or expect? Are our decisions, actions and reactions still Gospel driven and encouraging to others? We always have two choices!
Leadership (spiritual or worldly) is able to take any negative situation and provide a positive outcome.
Jesus kept the disciples eternally focused, and not temporally distracted.
Otherwise suffering, hardship, & disappointment are nothing more than distractions from God’s glory being revealed in our lives!
Jms 1:2-4 “Count it all joy…” when we fall into suffering situations, enduring misery & hardship (it’s meaningful).
A call to responsibility (spiritually speaking) is a burden, it’s seldom joyful.
“He who has a why to live can bear almost any how” —Friedrich Nietzsche
Can we state in our faith that, “If the purpose (responsibility) is sufficiently noble the suffering is irrelevant”
The believer must have a perspective that makes even the suffering in their life not just justifiable, but welcoming!