Suffering is not a welcomed guest nor is it easy to "count it all joy" when we meet trials of various kinds. In Scripture, the book of James has much to say on the topic and I found great peace in the strong hands of my God, as I meditated on the following thoughts this morning.
James reminds us in 5:11, "Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful."
In her devotional thoughts on this passage, Iva May comments, "We think that a compassionate and merciful God removes suffering. No, He converts suffering into something redemptive." May continues by quoting Joni Eareckson Tada: "Suffering is when God uses what He hates in order to accomplish what He loves."
I can only imagine that God the Father looked upon the slaughter of His Beloved Son and despised it. Yet, it was the will of God to crush Him, and for His glory and our joy, it was and continues to be the greatest and most beautiful redemptive work on behalf of sinful man! For all who turn their eyes and hearts in faith to the cross of Jesus Christ can be cleansed from the depravity of sin and preserved from the wrath of holy God.
Submission to God in the midst of adversity is key. It is often easy to submit to the circumstances or to the suffering itself, which leads to bondage and bitterness. But when we submit to God (James 4:7), we can rest assured that He will turn our pain into something redemptive!
"Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good." (1 Peter 4:19).
Thank you for sharing these thoughts and scripture. Yes we know and have dwelled on His words, but when we are hit with the not so great circumstances it is very hard to stay in submission to God. Praise The Lord that we can rest assure that He will turn our pain into something redemptive. As we continue to lift up WBC here in Vegas, we would covet the prayers of our old church family during this time of the unknown we (the Ellis Family) are persevering through! P.S Can't wait to meet the new addition that God will place in your sweet families lives soon!
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