Suffering and success
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. James 1:2
This at times must appear one of the most difficult of scriptures to understand let alone agree with. But God’s Word is not based on what we feel or what we agree with. It is God’s Word and our obedience to it will always comfort, and strengthen us and bring our walk closer to God.
It will always be the right thing to do.
Before the power of the atom had been discovered science had to work out a way to “smash” the atom. The very secret of the power of the atom was only released when it was crushed.
Some of God’s most amazing servants were men and women who were called on to endure great suffering and hardship. They could have chosen the path to grow bitter and resentful, but because they knew Christ and had walked in the joy of His presence throughout their lives, God blessed them and turned them into people whom God’s great love flowed out and their lives mirrored their Saviour.
Dr Edward Judson at the dedication of a church in New York said, “Suffering and success go together. If you are succeeding without suffering, it is because others before you have suffered; if you are suffering without succeeding, it is that others after you may succeed.”
Yes it is hard to “Count it all joy….” When suffering comes. But when it does, ask God to sanctify it and use it to make you steadfast in your faith.
Difficult yes, hard to understand maybe, but it is the right path for blessing to fill your life in the most trying of times.
In His grace
Keith