We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. (Romans 5:3-5)
I recognize that the title to today’s word of encouragement may seem counterintuitive at first, but the Bible teaches that joy and suffering do indeed go together. First, let’s distinguish between joy and happiness from a biblical perspective. Happiness is an emotional state of contentment that is usually dependent on our circumstances. Joy, on the other hand, is an inner state of contentment that exists regardless of external circumstances. Biblical joy, therefore, is not contingent upon what we are experiencing, but rather Who we are experiencing it with. With Jesus at our side every step of the way, and knowing that He is using everything for our ultimate good, we can have joy in every circumstance. We actually can obey the biblical commands to “Rejoice in the Lord always” (Philippians 4:4) and “Consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials” (James 1:2 NET).
Our Lord Jesus provides the best example of this through His sinless life, sacrificial death, and supernatural resurrection. The writer of Hebrews tells us, “For the joy set before him [Jesus] endured the cross” (Hebrews 12:2). Jesus endured the agony of the cross and unimaginable suffering under the judgment of God the Father, and yet He felt the deep joy that circumstances could not destroy. Jesus knew what was on the other side of His cosmic suffering: sin, Satan, and death would be destroyed, and He would be forever seated at the right hand of the Father, sharing a joy-filled eternity with all those who placed their trust in Him for eternal life.
Biblical joy is an inside job because of the One who is on the inside: the Holy Spirit. Since nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus, no circumstance can separate us from our joy . . . unless we allow it to. Paul wrote about “the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part” (2 Corinthians 8:1-2). Did you see that? Their joy abounded in the midst of “a severe test of infliction” and “extreme poverty.” There was no safety, no security . . . only suffering. Yet they rejoiced! You see, joy is not the absence of hardship, but the presence of Christ.
Trusting in Christ certainly did not exempt the Macedonians from poverty, pain, and suffering. As I’ve noted here many times, our Lord told us that “In this world you will have trouble” (John 16:33). It wasn’t the absence of trouble that kept these Christ-followers in a state of joy that their circumstances could not affect, but rather the fact they were Christians by the grace of God .
The lesson that the Macedonians have to teach you and me is clear and glorious. We can lose everything and still have joy, because there is one thing we can never lose: the One who purchased us with His blood on a cross, the Lord Jesus Christ. Joy and suffering are not oil and water. They are the opposite sides of the same coin of consolation and comfort for every child of God.
This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!
Grace for the Race 