JOYFUL SUFFERINGS 2

 

JOYFUL SUFFERING 2

James 1:3-4 For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything. NLT

The sufferings life are good for the soul if one is leaning on the Lord through them. They are part of God’s developmental program to make and keep our faith in Him strong and healthy. James gives us some things that are beneficial to our faith because of them.

Faith is developed. In order to benefit from sufferings, we must believe that God is a god of integrity and goodness. We must believe that there is a purpose for our sufferings, even if we can’t see it. We must believe that God has the ability to see us through whatever we are suffering. We must trust God and not ourselves or others to set us free from our sufferings. It is not easy to do, but we must if we are going to grow from them.

Perseverance is developed. We must always keep in mind, each step of faith we take leads us to our next step of faith. Perseverance is developed one step at a time. It may be a small step, but you must take that step in order to overcome. Each step of faith builds on the last step taken. And, each step of faith we take should be greater than the last step taken. As you put faith into motion, you discover that you will trust the Lord more and walk in greater victory no matter what happens.

Maturity is developed. Maturity is the ability to accept whatever comes your way without losing faith. It is the ability to accept what comes your way and still worship the Lord in the midst of it. It is the ability to accept what comes your way with thanksgiving and praise.

Completeness is developed. It is keeping your focus on the Lord no matter what. It is hanging tough in readiness for the Lord to come at any time. It is a state of mind wanting God’s desire and goal for your life to be completed, even if it means you go through many trials and tribulations in life. It is living in complete trust and confidence in God to get you home to heaven.

No, sufferings are not fun. We don’t welcome them into our lives. But when we let the Lord use them to mold and shape us through them, we will become the best version of ourselves we can possibly be, and we will be welcomed home someday by our Lord, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Enter now into the Kingdom of thy Lord.”