To Welcome Suffering is to Say Yes to God

If there’s one thing I’m learning lately, it’s that suffering is inevitable in this life. That no matter who we are, no matter what we have, and no matter where we live, we will have hard things to face.

And yet it’s such a challenge to welcome the suffering–to embrace adversity…

To look forward to it with a true attitude of joy,

To embrace it as an opportunity to grow our character, refine our rough edges, and re-make our hearts to love deeper, reach farther, and think beyond our current circumstances.

To welcome suffering, is really to say yes to God.

To say yes to what He gives, as hard as it may be…

Yes to the job loss

Yes to the chronic illness

Yes to the broken relationships

And the messiness of this life

Because isn’t it our perspective that’s the problem?

Our limited perspective, that makes us see the hardship of our circumstances instead of the greatness of the work He is longing to accomplish in us?

Isn’t it the obstacle of our own selves that’s the problem, not what He gives?

Our selfish, narrow-minded ways,

Our finite perspective of how WE think things should go,

Our limited view that keep us from seeing the good that could lie beyond what our eyes see today.

I’m learning that joy transcends my circumstances, and that joy is rooted in my thanks and trust.

Do I really believe He is good, all the time?

Do I really trust that He has this under control and knows exactly what He is doing?

Do I believe he not only CAN but WILL—that He IS working it all for my good, in His time and in His way?

May we welcome ALL He gives.

And in the midst of whatever that is, may we lift our eyes and look to Him—look forward to His help, and welcome whatever it is He is longing to accomplish in us.

How have you wrestled with the problem of suffering?

What have you learned along the way?

I’m joining Lisa-Jo, over at her site today, to take five minutes and just write without worrying if it’s just right or not. The challenge is to write for 5 minutes flat with no editing, tweaking or self critiquing, with the prompt she gives. And today, her prompt:

Welcome…

Linking to Rachel Wojnarowski

Jess

How interesting that I stumble across this post. My Bible study is going through James so we are talking a lot about suffering and trials and joy. The things you say here go hand in hand with what we are talking about!
Jess

http://blackwhiteandalittlepink.blogspot.com/b/post-preview?token=jGEKNToBAAA.inH6SyLAHbCpin9yGXZT6w.VlyUuKECORQOtlekj8S9BA&postId=7789549400232391553&type=POST
Jessica Harman

This is great. You are spot on and such a wonderful reminder of Truth this evening for me. I read a great book on suffering by Jerry Bridges called Trusting God Even When Life Hurts. The Lord really opened my eyes to hard truths about suffering and how to be joyful in the midst…because our joy doesn’t come from our circumstances, as you said, but in the God who has saved us and redeemed us. Praise the Lord. Thank you so much for your eloquent words and encouragement.
Ro elliott

wonderful post Jacque…yes it is a matter of perspective and our view of God…when my view of God changed and I understood love…suffering could be viewed from a whole new perspective…blessings to you~
http://www.brownpaperandstrings.com/ Jamie H

Thank you for this beautiful post, Jacque.
http://www.jenbuckner.com/ Jen Buckner

I love this, Jacque! Yes, our perspective so often seems to be the problem. Perspective can change everything!! Thanks so much for sharing.
http://thehomespunlife.com Sisterlisa

Have we wrestled with suffering… yep.. and I’ve given it my all too! and yet even when we push, kick, and scream in the process I am reminded that every new birth has it’s time of travail.
http://www.mercyfoundme.com/ Jacque Watkins

Yes! I love that…count it ALL joy. May it be so
http://www.mercyfoundme.com/ Jacque Watkins

You are so welcome…so thankful you stopped in May we lift our eyes off our circumstances and look to him in the midst!
http://www.mercyfoundme.com/ Jacque Watkins

Perspective. Yes, my friend…Have an amazing weekend!
http://www.mercyfoundme.com/ Jacque Watkins

So thankful you stopped by, Jamie!
http://www.mercyfoundme.com/ Jacque Watkins

Thank you Jen. And yet sometimes it is such a challenge to shift that perspective…but you are right, it will change everything!
http://www.mercyfoundme.com/ Jacque Watkins

Oh so true…the labor before the delivery, the pain before the joy. Such a great reminder Lisa!!
Alia_Joy

Yes, I used to think that suffering in my life proved that God wasn’t good, because how could He allow it? And then, once I came to know Him, I saw suffering as a tool He often used to draw my heart to Him and to refine the places that didn’t reflect Him. Love these words Jacque.
http://www.mercyfoundme.com/ Jacque Watkins

Yes Alia,I think you are so right! It IS all about refining, and remaking us into who He wants us to be.
http://twitter.com/RachelWojo Rachel Wojnarowski

Thanks for linking up, Girl. This is beautiful!
http://www.mercyfoundme.com/ Jacque Watkins

Thank you, Rachel…love your link up series!
lorihatcher

Job is my hero (thought not one whose path I want to walk). “Tho He slay me, yet with I trust in Him.” and C.S. Lewis, “We have no doubt that God will give us what’s best for us; we only wonder how much it’s going to hurt.” Lord, I believe. Help thou my unbelief.” I’m a new visitor from Be Not Weary. Your site is lovely, as is the Savior you proclaim. Thanks for sharing both today.