Isn’t it interesting that we tend to count our blessings most when hard things happen?
It is after a major accident that we are glad to be alive, or post-loss that we are grateful for those who truly love us. It seems that we need disruptions to remind us that life isn’t actually in our control and that there is something more important “out there”.
Yet the faster we get over things, the sooner we tend to forget lessons learned.
Reminders seem fleeting and unable to impact us in a way that changes something in our hearts when our hands and hearts feel full.
This, the Bible suggests, is why opportunities for endurance can be a blessing. Troubles and suffering that endure teach us, rather than remind us, to rely on our Lord and to look on our lives in light of Him.
Because of what we learn through hardship, we are to glory in our sufferings.
“And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” -Romans 5:3-5
If God chooses to, He can heal the sick, prevent accidents, and delay the time of death. There are certainly times that He has. We often find that this is what we pray for. Or, if not such extreme miracles, we pray that recovery is speedy or that joy come quickly.
Why do we feel it’s best to hurry grief, hardship, and uncomfortable emotions?
Surely no one needs to desire or wish for trouble, but when it comes, as it did for Jesus, we are to trust in God’s will. As someone (I’m sorry I can’t recall who) pointed out- there isn’t a single emotion Christ didn’t feel and yet there wasn’t a single moment Christ wasn’t honoring God. Yet we think we should get to avoid hard things and uncomfortable feelings because they could lead to sin?
God produces much in our hearts in our times of enduring.
Consider what Psalm 105:19 says about God’s work in the suffering of Joseph (who was sold into slavery and thrown into jail for no sin of his own!):
“Until the time came to fulfill his dreams, the LORD tested Joseph’s character.”
In Psalm 73, we are given an example of one who begins to slip from righteousness because He focuses on how wicked people seem to have no trouble at all. The writer begins to look around and grow envious of how happy others’ earthly lives seem to be. Meanwhile, his own Godly life is one of affliction. He comes to this conclusion in verses 20-28:
“When my heart was grieved
and my spirit embittered,
I was senseless and ignorant;
I was a brute beast before you.
Yet I am always with you;
you hold me by my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will take me into glory.
Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.
Those who are far from you will perish;
you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.
But as for me, it is good to be near God.
I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge;
I will tell of all your deeds.”
Sometimes life is a lot to endure when we look around and see how other’s lives seem to go. Particularly when we’re struggling. But…
[bctt tweet=”Enduring, when rooted in the perseverance of the Lord, can be a blessing.” username=”PatHolbrook”]
The “end goal” of our lives as Christians is that we are near to our God. Happiness is not the goal. Prosperity is not the goal. These might be a means to our end goal, but we must realize that suffering can also be a means to grow closer to Him.
It is good for us to be near our God. He is our desire and our glory. If it is in suffering that we spend our days seeking Him, learning from Him, and relying on Him, then we can count our having to endure as a blessing.
In light of our Savior, our hope is secure. He is faithful. His love is unfailing. Time and time again, He has proved Himself merciful. Our suffering does not change the Lord, but the Lord can certainly draw our hearts, shaping them as His, through our suffering.
{A version of this post was originally published here.}
LINKUP PARTY opens at 6 am EST!
Christian Bloggers, come share your Blog with our audience below:
1. Add your Link.
2. Visit the blogger before or after and encourage them with a comment.
3. Share on social media. Click below to share on Twitter that you are joining us! We would love to have you follow the ministry on Twitter and Facebook as well: Soaring with Him FB Page
[bctt tweet=”LINKUP PARTY is open! Today, @BethanyMcIlrath reminds us that it is through suffering that God draws our hearts and shapes them as His. JOIN US? ” username=”PatHolbrook”]
Bethany,
So well said. I can definitely attest to the fact that nothing has drawn me into intimacy as well as utter reliance and dependence upon the Lord, like enduring suffering. These have been the times that God has been my refuge and has upheld me with His righteous right hand. I’ve had to rely on His strength and not my own. Now, like you, we are to tell of His glory. Singing His praise for His goodness along with you. Great post!
Blessings,
Bev xx
Thank you, Bev. I wrote this post a long time ago- as I edited it, I was awed at how much there is to praise Him for in light of the different seasons of endurance since the words were written. He is good, and any opportunity to draw near to Him is something to be thankful for (even if the circumstances aren’t good!)
Bethany, as a runner, I can appreciate the need for endurance. Such a well-written post. I especially loved this line: “Reminders seem fleeting and unable to impact us in a way that changes something in our hearts when our hands and hearts feel full”.
I appreciate reminders when I get them, but I need constant reminders. I think that’s why this faith community is so important to me.
Laurie, I’m sure as a runner you understand endurance even more uniquely. I need the constant reminders and am thankful for the way God provides them through this community too!
I’m with you in this wondering, especially as to why everything else has to be stripped away before we come to the point of echoing the psalmist’s words: There is nothing on earth I desire besides you.
But we do seem to need the jolt to our comfort zone now and then in order to lift our eyes to God and give thanks for all He has given.
In my limited knowledge, I wish pain wasn’t part of pruning. But what a gift when we truly can echo the Psalmist’s words- amen!
Bethany, I think it is true we tend to take what we have for granted until we might lose it. This made me wonder if that is one of the benefits of fasting. It reminds us of our dependence on God and helps us appreciate gifts we take for granted. I’m thankful that what He allows in our lives is for His good purpose.
Debbie, I hadn’t quite thought of fasting that way. Thanks for sharing! I’m thankful with you.
Powerful post, Bethany. Love this thought, “Reminders seem fleeting and unable to impact us in a way that changes something in our hearts when our hands and hearts feel full.” So true. We downplay how enduring through grief and hardships is what God uses to pull us closer to himself and to grow our faith.
God doesn’t waste a thing- including grief and hardship. Thanks for sharing in praising Him for drawing us near!
Jesus endured all that I have to endure and more. Not to say it is easy, yet knowing that He is always with me and will guide me through gives me what I need for each day. We do have a hard time seeing the end goal, it’s about looking at the eternal not the temporal. Thanks for sharing 8)
Amen, Debra! Yes He did, and what a gift that He is with us and patiently reminds us of the eternal perspective. Thanks for joining in!
I’ve recently been on a journey of learning to worship God thru lament when needed and this post really resonated with me. laurensparks.net
Lauren, you may appreciate the book Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy by Mark Vroegop. It’s about godly lament! Thanks for joining in!