Biblical teaching is full of paradoxes, things that don’t seem to make sense and could cause us to lose faith, or they could drive us to a deeper understanding of God and ourselves. One of these perplexing teachings is that we should rejoice when we suffer various kinds of trials. James 1:2 and Romans 5:3 affirm this attitude when we undergo hard times, “Consider it all joy” and “We also celebrate in our tribulations” they say. How can this be? Should we go in search of ways to suffer?
We must not seek to create our own suffering. The Apostle Paul warns against self-created religious practices. “These are matters which do have the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and humility and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence “(Colossians 2:23 NAS).
The biblical writers want us to know troubles are going to come, and the reason we should accept them joyfully is because of what God can use them to produce in us. Dealing with troubles is tough, especially when there are no clear steps to solve the problem; I hate it when there seem to be no solutions. So frustrating. Thirty years ago I worked for a large multi-national company, and I moved my family across the country to accept a promotion at another company location. It was a disaster, the worst, most stressful, and impossible job I’ve ever had. I could not succeed. After six months of torture, I found another job and left the company. That experience was deeply disappointing, because I had expected to retire from that company just like my father did. The blessing was that experience led me to a new field better suited to my skills and personality and a job I loved. I’m still learning to accept trials and to be glad in them because they provide me with an opportunity to grow into a more godly person.
James 1 and Romans 5 affirm trials and tribulations produce endurance, proven character, hope, spiritual maturity, and ultimately a crown of life. The irony is that James 1 goes on to explain that the same difficulties that lead to a crown of life could also result in sin and death, depending on our response. Trials don’t only test our endurance; they expose our desires. James lays out the step-by-step progression of temptation.
Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. No one is to say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it has run its course, brings forth death. (James 1:12-15 NAS)
Persevering without letting the trial become an excuse for sin is the difference between life and death. The above passage suggests trials can lead to temptation because a trial threatens something we desire and excessive desire (lust) may lead to sin and spiritual death. Lust is not only sexual; it can be any overwhelming desire. To be tempted is not the same thing as committing a sin and not every strong desire is wrong. Our own God-given desires can drive us to accomplish great things, or they can become twisted into sinful behavior.
How can the powerful chain reaction of lust, temptation, sin, and death be interrupted so the result is victory? James 1:5 provides an answer, we should always ask God for wisdom. When a desire feels so powerful, we should remember the hope God has already given us. “Hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 5:5 NAS).
May God help us to learn to face every trial with grace and joy.
My characters wrestle with the same issue of how to endure under trial in the sequel to my novel, Paradise Unfallen. The working title is Marvelous Trials. The title grew from the thought that every trial has the potential to be beneficial. The adventure unfolding on Erimea, my twin Earth, will continue and we’ll see whether the descendants of the first parents of Erimea, Solis and Livi, can realistically endure all the troubles I plan to beset them with. Check out Paradise Unfallen here. I’m targeting the end of 2027 to release Marvelous Trials.
Photo by Nik on Unsplash
I’m persuaded that the vicissitudes of life validate our dependency on our Creator.
These challenges develop the essential virtues to sustain living in a fallen world. God’s plan and destination for Believers ensure us the victory through our trials to make us whole. Considering, all that Jesus endured to redeem us puts the trying of our faith in a different perspective.
We should not rejoice in suffering but rather learn and become stronger in experiencing trials. I think we feel life more completely when we have to search our spirit for relief through Christ. This is how we grow.
Oh, Joycelyn, I do believe that we can rejoice in knowing that we have the power to suffer (overcome, endure). And therefore, we can indeed rejoice even while we are suffering, in the same way an athlete can rejoice even as the pain and fatigue of a race is threatening to overwhelm her. The relief is in believing “I can do this!”
Agreed, and so well-written. It’s easy to fall back and wonder why God isn’t blessing us (when He actually is). Our trials, our sufferings are painful and yet when we submit to it, drop our anger, God is able to guide us closer to Him.
I imagine the cross. Jesus could’ve been angry. He could have fought it. But He didn’t. He went willingly. Sure, in distress, knowing what was coming. But He went as a Lamb to the slaughter.
Our sufferings are nothing in comparison. So while we are in them, we rejoice that God is with us, His Holy Spirit lives within us, and we know that this will make us stronger. We are not alone in this.
This is a wonderful, meaningful, personal piece. When we grasp the fact that “suffer” (a verb) is what we do to get ourselves through trials (it is not the trials themselves), we come to appreciate that suffering is an ability, a talent, a skill, and a gift of the Spirit which assists our hope of being able to persevere without losing our faith and our ultimate salvation. You didn’t let your difficult job defeat you as a person, as a child of God. You stayed “you” through it all, and emerged not merely whole, but better, stronger, more confident.
The wonderful scene in “Paradise Unfallen” in which the First Parents have to traverse a narrow rock ledge to continue their journey is a perfect example of suffering. They suffered the fear of falling instead of succumbing to it and retreating, instead of giving up. The fear was real, the peril was profound. But they kept on even while the fear oppressed them. They suffered it. And so, they not only survived but got to their destination.
Thanks for a terrific essay, Chuck.
Chris,
Thanks for encouraging words and the excellent distinction between suffering and the trial.