Rejoice in suffering. Now that sounds fun. Don’t we have enough to deal with right now with pandemic and racism and Zoom fatigue and hurricanes and wildfires? And we have to be joyful about it?
In a word, yes. We don’t need to be happy about suffering, but we can choose joy over anger, bitterness, and dwelling in misery. Suffering has a role to play in our lives. The most important thing suffering can do is drive us to the Father (James 1:2-5). That alone should be a sufficient reason to choose joy in the middle of the mayhem.
Paul added that suffering produces endurance. As a runner, I get that. I suffer through long runs on hot and humid days so that I get a stronger and faster and able to go a little farther than ever before. Look at how much we have learned the last six months. We have not gathered together at church or small groups, but we have learned to stay connected in other ways. I look forward to attending services as much as anyone, but I also see the value of having to be intentional in community. When social club church is shut down, deep and powerful ministry can be unleashed.
Suffering isolation teaches us how much we need each other. We can endure almost anything together, but when we must fully rely on the Father we witness His faitfulness in new and exciting ways. That should motivate us to choose joy.
In choosing joy, we need to come alongside those who struggle in the hard time. We can use technology to send a quick message. We can make a phone call. We can mail a letter. We can order groceries or flowers or any number of things online and ship them to the people we know who need a hug. In enduring hardship with joy, we have an opportunity to be the light in the darkness that Jesus calls us to be.
Defaulting to Grace 