Rejoice Through Your Suffering

Life is hard. Turn on the news, talk to a friend, or even look at your own life, and it’s obvious that nothing about living in this world is easy. To make matters worse, it seems like every day that goes by, things only get harder – Russia has invaded Ukraine, inflation and taxes just keep getting higher, laws keep getting stricter, crime is on the rise, and people are dying from diseases, suicide, and so much more. What a depressing world we live in, right?

I’ve got good news for you! Despite all the chaos and disorder in this cruel world, we still have a reason to be joyful, we still have hope for a future! This is not the end. And no matter how bad things get, we can take heart in knowing that we have a God who loves us!

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:38-39

I woke up this morning, after a long night of bad sleep. Sickness has hit our home this week, and the suffering is real. One of the first things I do each morning, after sitting down on the couch with my coffee, is open the Bible app and read the verse of the day. God knows I needed to read this today:

And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

I Peter 5:10

What a wonderful promise that is! Note, God isn’t promising that we won’t suffer. He doesn’t tell us life is going to be easy. On the contrary, the Bible tells us in several different passages that there will be struggles in this life, even for those that love God.

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

John 16:33

That’s because the world is tainted by sin. But God tells us that for those of us that choose to love Him and obey Him, we have much to look forward to. Our suffering here on earth is temporary. One day we will be restored to Him, and we will suffer no more.

We struggle and suffer with many temporary things, like finances, relationships, or health. While these types of suffering are often short-lived, it always seems that as we get through one challenge, there’s another one waiting around the bend. As we like to say, “There’s always something.” 

But I won’t lose heart, because I know that my God is faithful and just to complete the good work that he began in me (Phil 1:6). I know that the more I turn to God, the more I will be strengthened. The suffering I go through only builds up my character more. And through the suffering, my faith is often put to the test. I turn to God and I cry out to Him, and I know he hears my cries because “he will never leave me nor forsake me.” (Hebrews 13:5)

Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken.

Psalm 55:22

The Apostle James tells us to “consider it PURE JOY” when we are faced with the various trials this life has to offer. He says, “because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” (James 1:3-4)

If you aren’t learning and growing from the hardships you face, you’re wasting them. The enemy wants us to view the issues of life as something negative, that will bring us down. This is quite the opposite of finding joy in the hard times.

James continues on with what will happen if we choose to allow our negative experiences to grow us. He says, “Let perseverance finish its work so that you may mature and complete, not lacking anything.” In verse 1:12, he says, “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those that love Him.”

We have to push through those hard times to get our reward. And trust me, the reward will be worth it! 

The Apostle Paul was no stranger to struggle. He spent the majority of his Christian ministry behind bars, and wrote many of his letters while in chains. He was locked up for teaching the love of Jesus, but chains couldn’t make him be quiet. From his jail cell, he rejoiced and praised God, and even converted some of the prison guards to turn their hearts to Jesus! What an amazing example of turning a sour situation into something so sweet!  

Copyright Jennifer Jabbour Photography.

Philippians is one of the letters Paul wrote while imprisoned in Rome and I highly recommend you read through the short letter on your own. It is the model of how to live a life filled with joy and purpose, even when the outlook appears grim. The crux of this letter to the Church of Philippians is, in my opinion, in the commonly known passage about pressing on:

But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:12-14

First, there’s that mention of a prize again! Second, let’s not miss the point Paul is trying to make here – our prize is in heaven – and if you aren’t sure, read on, because in verses 20-21 he says, “But our citizenship is in Heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” 

Wow! Just wow. This passage leaves me a bit speechless and breathless. So many promises wrapped up in a couple verses. 

First, this world is not our home. So if you ever feel like you’re out of place, a stranger in this land, it’s because you are! You are just visiting. You’re a citizen of Heaven, and you’re just here on earth, passing through. 

Second, we’re just waiting for Jesus to come back and get us, so he can take us home! Remember, we only have to suffer for a little while. We have work to do while we’re here, so don’t waste any time. There’s a prize waiting for those who fulfilled their calling while here on earth. 

Third, Jesus is in control! No matter what happens, no matter how terrible the circumstances become, Jesus is still in control, and he has the power to just speak, “Peace, be still.” And the storm will die down and the waters will become calm. (Mark 4:35-31)

Finally, this body is temporary!!! When we finally reach our destination, we will be transformed and be given a new glorious body, like Jesus Christ! All of our diseases, pains, sorrows – all of them will be taken away and replaced with perfect bodies. 

I know life is hard. I know it seems like things just can’t get any worse, and another problem is waiting around the corner. But take heart, my friends, this suffering is temporary for those that love God. Do not lose heart! Keep fighting the battle! Press on and take hold of your prize of the upward call of Jesus Christ. 

Blessings!
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2 Comments
  • Brian Taylor
    March 15, 2022

    Jennifer! Blessings and gratitude!
    I just read your two articles regarding the similarities as well how the Old and New Testament contrast ..
    It has brought me untold clarity, Grace , Peace and a new perspective with something I have long spiritually struggled with in my daily Bible Study.. the Old Testament being the first part I would “soldier through” (with its stories of war, rebellion, death, sacrifice et al) and then the “fun stuff” of the New Testament (love, kindness, parables of Jesus that I grew up with in Sunday and “Vacation Bible School”)
    Thank you SO much for your insightfulness in Spirit and I now look forward to reading the Word as ONE STORY… Blessings and Gratitude 🙏 to you as well as may God hold and keep you and your family!
    In Christ
    Brian-Robert Taylor

    • jenjabbour@gmail.com
      March 15, 2022

      Hello Brian, thank you so much for your response! It makes my heart glad to know that something I wrote helped you gain clarity with the message of the Bible. I pray that you will continue forward studying the Bible and that God will show you the big picture through all of its pages. It’s truly amazing how it flows together so seamlessly. The more I read and study the Bible, to more I see.