As we are right now, man has taken issues into his own hands, and the song that’s on the lips of many is, “Where is God when I need Him?” When there is no response in return, they attempt to find a solution to the issues on the horizon, only making matters worse. And again they cry, “Does He not see how evil roam the streets without any sign of reprieve, without any sign of light breaking in with hope?“
“Where is God?” Is this song on your lips? “Is He dead or alive, or is it that He only cares about the rules – whether man obeys them or not?” “Where is God?” you may ask, “Why does He not respond to my cries? Has He left me to suffer and die?”
In times like these, when hopelessness seems to be the song on the lips of so many, I seek to offer hope, as trying as my circumstances are. I want to say to you: God is still pretty much alive & your suffering has a purpose. This may not be the song of hope you would want to listen to but tune your ears to the lyrics.
Why do we need to suffer? What is God really about?
As hard as it may be to believe, we suffer because suffering is a normal part of a Christian’s life. Through many tribulations, we must enter the kingdom of God (Acts 14:22). But take heart! Jesus has overcome the world (John 16:33).
We’re told that when suffering comes we must rejoice: “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us” (Romans 5:3-5). If we can open our hearts and see that suffering produces good fruit in us; if we can see that it’s for our good, then when it comes, we will rejoice.
This is where many people balk. “Rejoice in suffering?! I can’t buy that! Do you mean to say that God is telling me that when I am hurting and in pain, going through mental and physical torment, I am expected to leap for joy? What kind of a God is this, Paul? It’s not human! This is not natural!” Many feel this way, and I get it.
However, rejoicing in suffering is not simply stoicism. It is not simply a ‘grin and bear it’ attitude, or ‘just tough it out’ and see how much you can take, or ‘just hang in there’ and ‘brush off because we need you.’ Many people feel that if they do that, they are fulfilling the Word and “rejoicing in suffering.” However, that’s not what Paul is saying, and as believers, we should stop saying that to each other. That kind of belief hurts even more!
What Paul is saying is that we rejoice in suffering because we “know…” We rejoice because we know that suffering is productive and of value. We rejoice because we know that it is good and it works. We rejoice because we know that it refines us so we can be made ready for the marriage of the Lamb. We know it works, and that is what makes us rejoice.
God uses suffering wonderfully in the lives of those who trust in Him. Suffering causes us to mature and grow into the patterns of Jesus, so don’t despise it or lose hope when it comes.
Beloved, is the song of hopelessness on your lips? Hope in God, for he makes all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Angelisa is a Jesus enthusiast, Worship leader & Christian youth leader. She considers herself to be the old-fashioned type of girl who loves spicy food and belly bottom laughter. Among her passions are singing, working with children, and encouraging others.