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Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. – James 1:2–4
When you accepted Christ, you willingly gave Him your life to do with as He pleases according to His will. You became a “bond-servant”1 of Christ (Rom 1:1; Gal 1:10; Col 1:7; 4:7; 2Ti 2:24; Tit 1:1; Jas 1:1; 2Pe 1:1; Jud 1; Rev 15:3; cf. Act 4:29; 16:17; 2Co 4:5; Php 1:1; Rev 1:1; 2:20; 7:3; 11:18; 19:2, 5; 22:3, 6), for He bought and paid for you with His blood, having redeemed (purchased) you from slavery and bondage under sin, Satan, and death. Do you think it worth sacrificing everything in this world and enduring suffering, hardship, trial, tribulation, persecution, or even loss of life for your eternal soul (if needed)? Many Christians have sacrificed everything: fame, fortune, reputation, jobs, power, possessions, friends, family, and even their lives for their faith. I ask you, brother or sister in Christ: Jesus suffered for you, but have you suffered for Him? Note that it pleased the Lord to bruise Him (Jesus; Isa 53:10), so we should expect nothing less for ourselves. And if He was despised (Isa 53:3), once again, we should expect similar treatment.
Furthermore, we read in Scripture about one person who was healed by Jesus after being blind since birth (Joh 9:1–41),2 and also about Lazarus, who had to suffer death but was brought back to life (Joh 11:1–4). In both cases, we are told by Jesus that these were “so that the works of God might be displayed in him” (Joh 9:3) and “for the glory of God” (Joh 11:4). Even the apostle Paul, after enduring many beatings, stonings, imprisonments, sufferings, and hardships for most of his adult life,3 was able to look back and call them all “momentary, light affliction” (2Co 4:17–18)! Thus, while I certainly don’t mean to make light of hardship and suffering (of any kind), I think if you asked any of those mentioned above about it now, they would say, “Amen! All to the glory of God.” They might also now have seen how the Lord used their suffering to draw others to Christ and be saved. Amen.4
Therefore, the next time you face a time of trial, tribulation, hardship, suffering, or persecution, may I suggest that you have a different attitude and perspective. Instead of getting anxious, worried, or fearful about it, try to understand and be thankful that whatever is happening is very likely for the testing of your faith (see Jas 1:2–4, 12; Rom 5:3–5; 8:17–18; 1Pe 1:6–7; 4:12–14; Rev 2:10; 3:10; Heb 11:17–19; cf. Psa 66:10–12; Pro 17:3; Isa 48:10; Jer 9:7; Zec 13:9; Mal 3:3; Heb 2:10), for your eternal good (Rom 8:28–29), or for the good of others (Php 1:12).
When we look back on these things on the Day of Judgment, I think we will also have the same perspective as Paul. I understand that these words are much easier to write than do, but I hope by now you understand that we can endure and persevere in all things by the power of Christ abiding in us.5 Remember, Christ can be glorified in our weaknesses and even in our suffering (2Co 12:10), and if we choose to remain faithful, what we suffer is for our perfection and the glory of God (Heb 12:1–2).
Lastly, sometimes one of the greatest gifts God can bestow on someone is adversity, trials, and hardships, including taking away most or all of their worldly possessions and even their freedom. Why is that a gift? That is because it provides you with a “time-out” from the relentless pursuit of worldly possessions and the anxiety of losing or acquiring more, allowing you to focus more on God—should you choose to do so. A “time-out” also provides you with more opportunity to read and study Scripture and devote yourself to prayer, perhaps more than you ever had before. God may be trying to get your attention so that you start to take your salvation seriously, in order that you don’t “come short of” eternal life (Heb 4:1) by letting your faith get choked out by the weeds and worries of this world (Mat 13:1–9, 18–23).
CHAPTER PRAYER
Abba Father in heaven! Thank You for all that You have done for me and given me. Father, help me to have the right understanding and perspective when hardship or suffering comes my way. Please help me understand how it can help glorify You or lead others to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus, the Christ. Give me the necessary wisdom and strength to endure any such period in my life and remain steadfast in my trust and faith in You, knowing that You cause all things to work together for good for those who love You and who are called according to Your purpose. Help me to have the attitude of Paul, who endured all things for the sake of the Gospel, with his eyes firmly set on the prize of eternal life in heaven with You and Your Son. Amen.
1 Also, “slave” (Mat 25:21; 1Co 7:22).
2 Since Scripture describes the person as “a man,” he likely wasn’t a child and had to suffer blindness for many years to glorify God!
3 → [The Sufferings of Paul]
4 Even things as horrible as getting cancer and suffering addictions can, if we use them to draw nearer to the Lord, strengthen us and help inspire others, perhaps even leading them to Christ.
