It is Our Hardships & Suffering Which Define Us

Does the name Joseph Merrick sound familiar to you? How about the name Kerri Strug? You might not remember Joseph by his name but you have probably heard of the story of the Elephant Man because of the very rare but painful and disfiguring disease which he endured with great character and humility. Kerri was also not well known before her performance at the 1996 Olympics. However if you have ever seen the vault she performed on an injured ankle you will not likely ever forget it. She was an inspiration for many young athletes because her victory was only made sweeter by the hardship she endured.

How do we see suffering? Do we see it as a curse or as a gift? Remember that God’s ways are not man’s ways (Jer10:23). That concept is reinforced over and over again. What seems to man to be a bad thing, senseless pain, suffering of the innocent, is repeatedly used to accomplish good.

Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver;
I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.
For My own sake, for My own sake, I will do it;
For how should My name be profaned?
And I will not give My glory to another. Isa. 48:10

Suffering will never be easy or enjoyable. By its very nature is that which we hate and would not choose to endure. Yet in the midst of suffering we have the power to place it in context. No matter what we are suffering, it has limits. How could the young Joseph see his suffering would lead to the preservation of so many lives? How could Job see those things which he was doing without (riches,family,health) were only temporary? Job was blessed by God with much more than he ever had because he remained faithful despite what he suffered.

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. James 1:2-4

I look at this verse what I notice is the word joy. He didn’t say to be despondent or depressed, nor did he say to simply tolerate temptation. He used the word joy to communicate that we are to have the opposite reaction of most of the world to trials. The difficulty of this task cannot be understated, however, we are encouraged to do it therefore it must be possible.How will we choose to see our suffering? Will we choose to view it as most men do? Will we open ourselves to the possibility that good can come from it whether we see it or not?