What?
If you are suffering, for whatever reason, you might join me in wondering
how in the world
can I
ever
rejoice in my suffering.
In fact, it might even make you cry to think about it. Because when suffering, crying comes
easily
and often
to some of us.
(Crying is coming easily and often to me right now!)
This week, let’s read Romans 5:1-5. Then, in your comments to this short Bible study, discuss the word, “rejoice.” What does it mean?
Use your concordance to find other verses or passages that include the word “rejoice” or “joy.” In doing so, narrow your findings to those verses or passages that might help explain the connection found in rejoicing and suffering. In other words, what does the Bible tell us about rejoicing (or joy) and suffering?
Please share your findings and ideas – then come back to comment on others.
Today is Friday, November 23. Let’s share and comment throughout the next week; then look for a new posting on this continuing study of Romans 5:1-5 on or about Friday, November 30.
I look forward to reading your comments, verses, passages, and ideas.
ps. When you make your comment (below), be sure to check the box or boxes to be notified when others comment on this same study. It’s all a good part of the study!
It seems like an oxymoron to me! Rejoicing and Suffering! How can it be? But when I am suffering like I am now (with heartache) I NEED joy. So I’m delving through the Bible to see how this concept is possible! Keep in touch!
I have a “God Sighting”. I love those!
I point out Romans 5:2-5 to Kathi for encouragement (because I so very much relate to what she’s going through) and she turns it into a question right back at me – “How have I rejoiced in my sufferings?” hahaha. What a blessing! Why – because I live in a “fix it now” world. I’m not rejoicing in my sufferings – I’m still waiting to rejoice – on my terms. Father, God, have I not suffered enough….I’m still waiting to rejoice. Will my loved ones EVER get it? Oh, wait a minute – I’m the biggest offender of all. I’m trying to fix everything, make it right…..I’m not letting you do the work. Oh man, this is going to be HARD. I’ve been trying to fix everything for over 40 years. How do I turn it over to you? Here are the verses I found when searching for the answers for myself:
Job 5:17
“Blessed is the one whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.
Comment: Oh my – all of the things that Job went through!
Romans 8:33-34
33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died–more than that, who was raised to life–is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
Comment: No charge can be brought against a Christian, because God has already pronounced a verdict of “Not Guilty”.
Romans 8:35-39
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 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.
Comment: These verses tell me that Paul says suffering does not separate believers from Christ, but actually carries us along toward our ultimate goal and Paul should know when you read what all he suffered. God’s love is the ultimate “unconditional love”.
Hebrews 12:5-13
5 And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, 6 because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.” 7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? 8 If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. 9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! 10 Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. 12 Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. 13 “Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.
Comment: These verses give me encouragement and they address our Father’s discipline.
I failed to add – Father God – May your will be done!
Interesting quote I just found: The opposite of joy is not sorrow. It is unbelief. Leslie Weatherhead
Kathi- thank you for inviting me to your site. I want to apologize for taking so long to respond to your request. I appreciate that I came to mind for this topic. It is dear to my heart. For many reasons, I feel very ‘spoiled’ by my Father, in the fact that He has allowed much suffering. Let me explain. I believe it is in our suffering that our intense, deep, meaningful realtionship with Him grows. It’s in the dark, that we cry out to Him. It’s when our whole world is plowed under, that we let the seeds of His truth take root. The scripture that immediately came to mind when I read your post was James 1: 2-4. ‘Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.’
I was asked to speak on this verse at a Sunday service for a friend. The speaking arrangement was made weeks in advance, but God ultimately timed it so that I would be speaking on this verse just days after my dear close friend lost her daughter to the same heart defect that Halle, my daughter has. Her loss, echoed in my heart for many reasons. Halle and Jerra were the girls. Spending so much time in the hospital together, her mother and I would take turns watching our girls, while the other broke for a shower or bite to eat. Often the nurses confused our little green gowned infants, because of the shared mom thing. To lose Jerra was almost like losing my own child. Not only because it was as likely for me to lose Halle as it was for Ida to lose Jerra, but also because this mother and daughter were so very close to heart.
And.. I was asked to speak on Joy in Suffering days after I had just spent two days in the hospital watching suffering beyond anything anyone could ever put words to accurately express.
God came through. He gave me the courage to stand before a crowd and speak about James 1: 2-4 Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds… The words that came from my mouth were all His, because as I mom, who faces losing her child at any day, and was just reminded of how quickly it could come, I, on my own could not have spoken them. But the words were truth.
It really is JOY. Is it the happy, skipping, life is wonderful, kind of joy? NO. But.. It is the incredible joy of having that intamate, deep, dependence on, and relationship with HIM. When nothing makes sense, (why do You give them to us if You are just going to take them back?), when all is dark (the darkness of death and loss), when all seems lost (so hurt and confused), that’s when His light of peace and JOY penetrate your soul. Yes indeed, there is joy in suffering. The wonderful, incredible joy of holding hands, and being held by our Great, Loving, Compassionate Father.
Why do I feel spoiled in suffering? How can I see it as Joy? Because, He knew me well enough to know, I could never really know Him without it and knowing Him is the most important thing in my life. I pray this isn’t true for everyone. That there are many out there that will have that realtionship with Him without having to suffer any great heartache or challenge. But for me, sorrow and struggles is how He makes my character, strength, and most importantly, FAITH grow. It is joy. To be this close to Him.