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I can’t say I’d ever really thought it was quite possible to rejoice in suffering. Maybe it was one of those “figurative” things in the Bible, not really meant to be taken literally. I mean, rejoicing? In suffering, of all things?
Or maybe it was something only super godly people could figure it.
But without intentionally meaning to, over the last several weeks, I’ve begun to notice a gradual change in the way that I think about my suffering.
If you just stumbled upon this blog, I am referring to infertility and miscarriage as my suffering, but I’m writing today for anyone going through any kind of suffering.
The Bible says we should rejoice in times of suffering.
How is that even possible?
The thing about suffering and hardship in the Bible is that so often it is mentioned as a direct result of following Christ. Take, for example:
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.” (Matthew 5:11)
“However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.” (1 Peter 4:16)
“For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him.” (Philippians 1:29)
(Just to name a few.) Each of these verses talk about suffering as a consequence of being a Christian; suffering for Christ.
In the past, I’d been able to reconcile some of my suffering with the acknowledgment that it was happening because I was following God. To cite one example: The year I spent teaching English in Honduras was a difficult one. However, because I felt called to do that for Christ, I understood suffering in terms of something I was suffering for the sake of Christ. That made my suffering make sense. I still wasn’t rejoicing, per se, but my suffering wasn’t so bad.
However, this suffering of infertility seems to have come out of nowhere. Why is this happening to me? Infertility is not a result of me following Christ. I would imagine that those who suffer from other illnesses feel the same too. Cancer does not happen because you’re following Christ.
So how do we react when our suffering seems to have no cause?
Rejoice in Suffering
When the Bible talks about rejoicing in our suffering, it doesn’t give a distinction that we should only rejoice in sufferings that come from following Christ. It talks about suffering in general:
“Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.”
Romans 5:3-4, ESV
Rejoice? In suffering?
And then there’s:
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
James 1:2-4
Consider it pure joy? When you face trials?
I don’t claim to have this all figured out yet. And I don’t claim to be quite at the point of rejoicing or considering it pure joy (not yet anyway!).
BUT: I have noticed a big change in the way that I’m thinking about suffering. I hesitate to write this in a “3 step” list, as if learning to rejoice in your suffering is the mere result of following an easy 3-step process. However, because I am a list-person, here are 3 things that I believe are slowly making me learn how to rejoice in my sufferings:
1. I started viewing my suffering as a calling.
This is probably the one biggest thing that has been a game-changer for me and completely shifted my mindset.
We think about a lot of different things in our lives as our callings: our careers, volunteer work, donations to charities.
But rarely do we consider our sufferings as a part of our calling.
But I’ve realized that when God places suffering in my life, He is also calling me to something.
This is a part of my story. Perhaps God is calling me to use this situation to share my faith and bring others to Him. Perhaps God is calling me to endure this in such a way that would be an example to others. And perhaps God is simply calling me to seek Him and come to the realization that God’s grace is sufficient for me, even in the midst of suffering. Consider the words of Paul:
“I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. (1 Corinthians 12:7-9)
We don’t know what Paul was suffering from; the Bible doesn’t tell us. Many theorize that it was a physical ailment. But regardless of the form his suffering took on, he was called to endure it; to boast about it so that others could see Christ’s power in him. That brings me to my next point:
2. I began sharing my story.
Paul didn’t keep his suffering to himself. And neither should you.
Suffering can be a difficult thing to talk about or share with others. Most of the time, we’d rather just pretend that everything is fine, myself included. And if you’re anything like me, you don’t want to hear pity or positivity — responses that can feel patronizing or dismissive.
However, since sharing my story, I’ve noticed that many (admittedly, not all) people simply offer one thing: prayer.
Knowing that others are praying for me has allowed me to realize and be grateful for the support system I have. I’ve also come to the realization that sharing my suffering allows me to enter into the community of believers. And feeling a part of this community has given me a reason to rejoice.
See also: When suffering has made it hard to pray
3. I began to study my Bible.
I’ve read through the entire Bible just twice in my life. The first time was when I was in Honduras — as I mentioned before, during a difficult season in my life. And the second time was months ago in the middle of infertility. (As a side note: I need to start studying my Bible in good times — no wonder God gives me hardships!)
I put this as #3 on the list not because it should be the last thing. In reality, my #1 and #2 have only come as a result of #3. Studying my Bible has reminded me that my suffering is a part of my calling. Studying the Bible has reminded me of the importance of asking others to pray for me.
Ultimately, studying the Bible has helped me to begin to learn what it means to rejoice in my sufferings.
