5 Reasons to Rejoice in Suffering

My seven year old, like many seven year olds, has a flair for the dramatic.

A picture of a regular, homeschool day with us could be captured with my sulking son in a funk that is unable to be forgotten. Why, might you ask? Any number of reasons, both legitimate or not could be to blame. Learning how to subtract, practicing handwriting, writing a full sentence, or even just plain doing school when the weather is “too nice to be inside” are all reasons. (Bonus point for him because I am the one to have said the phrase “too nice to be inside” first!)

While my empathy cup tends to run a little dry for him day after day, I am able to relate to him on a more adult level. Sure my problems tend to be a bit more intense than say 13-5=__ or being fed up with neatly drawing letters over and over again, but my mood can end up in a similar spot as a seven year old, and maybe just as quickly. 

Feeling bitter. Being resentful. Full of sorrow.

I’ve been in that place more times than I can even count.

Our adult lives can be filled with tragedies that far surpass first grade math. Death of loved ones. Sickness. Persecution. Loss of jobs. Failed relationships. No relationships. Infertility. Depression and anxiety. Pandemics. Despite these genuine problems that rise up in our lives, we can find reasons to rejoice in our sufferings.

Salvation through Jesus. Life may not be all it’s cracked up to be at the moment, but I know that I have free salvation through Jesus’ death and resurrection! We can have hope in what is to come!

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Heaven is my Home. If everything were so lovely here, why on earth would we ever want to leave? We can rejoice in suffering because even if the worst is thrown our way here on earth, the result of our salvation is heaven forever with our Father.

Therefore I murmur not; Heav’n is my home.
Whate’er my earthly lot, Heav’n is my home.
And I shall surely stand There at my Lord’s right hand.
Heav’n is my fatherland; Heav’n is my home. 

I’m But a Stranger Here CW: 417 Stanza 4

Be an Example to Others. While probably not first and foremost on our minds amid suffering, being an example to others of how to act and grasp on to hope can be such a testament and proclamation of faith. We can share the reason for the hope we have!

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.
Philippians 2:14-16

We are being Refined. God uses difficult times to draw us closer to him and to strengthen our faith. We can find joy in a stronger faith and relationship with our Heavenly Father!

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

God’s Got This Anyway! Whatever life has thrown in our direction, we have assurance that our Heavenly Father will take care of us through it all. We can find rest and peace when we toss our worries to God in prayer. 

Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
My body also will rest secure,
Because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
Nor will you let your faithful one see decay.
You make known to me the path of life;
You will fill me with joy in your presence,
With eternal pleasures at your right hand. Psalm 17:9-11

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. Psalm 73:23-26

It can be hard in the moment to find an escape out of resentful mood. While our reasons are real, we can look to our heavenly Father to give us direction and to help us find joy, despite our suffering. While not always a simple task to accomplish, it is a worthwhile effort that should even help turn your frown, upside-down. :)

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Philippians 4:4