Joy in the Sunshine

It seems like I've been reading and learning a lot about suffering lately. I've read much of the trials and hardships in the life of Elizabeth Prentiss. I've read blogs written by Christians who are enduring sorrowful times yet demonstrating great joy and trust and delight in God. I've been hearing much of the great work that God has done and is doing in the lives of His saints, as they endure the storms of life. I rejoice in all of this, and am so amazed by God's grace and faithfulness to work in His people during these times. People seem to grow and delight much in God during these seasons of their lives.

I've been pondering these things much lately, as I'm not currently suffering, nor have I experienced vast amounts of suffering throughout my life. Sometimes, I worry that a storm is bound to strike soon. I think that since I haven't suffered as much as some others, that my turn must be coming....after all that is how so many people seem to grow in grace.

So do I sit back and wait? Is true joy and delight in God, only experienced fully when I suffer?

Throughout Scripture and the historical church, we do see that God does amazing things during periods of great hardship.

The apostle Paul endured intense adversity and testifies to the grace of God in the midst of it and even counted it all joy. So many of the great reformers and the heroes of our faith sustained much tribulation and we know some of the wonderful work that the Lord accomplished through this.

Without a doubt, God uses affliction for the good of his people, and suffering plays a vital role in the lives of Christians. It will come in some form to all people that live long enough!

I think as Christians we need to anticipate suffering and be prepared for it. However, I think we need to be careful not to glorify suffering. This is not the only means that God uses to accomplish his purposes. We can still delight in him and hope to grow in grace during the seasons of sunshine, not just the storms.

As many have probably experienced, it can be so easy and tempting to become complacent and self-reliant in times of ease. It seems that when we suffer we seek after Christ desperately, because so much of this world loses its appeal.

However, in his letter to the Philippians, Paul writes:

"Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me."

Paul needed to learn to be content no matter what his circumstances, whether he was low, or whether he was abounding. Don't wait for times of suffering to draw close to your Saviour, but draw close always. Pursue Christ, seek after him relentlessly and earnestly, in all seasons, and you can do this, through him who gives you strength. May God grant grace to delight!