Grief and Suffering, and what the Bible says

 Oh, boy. Suffering - the face we all know too well for our liking.

If you have never, ever, EVER gone through any form of suffering and grief in your life, then I'm a pumpkin pie. At some point on earth, we all go through physical pain or suffering. For some it may be a lost job or the death of a pet, for others it may be a miscarriage or a burnt-down house. 

Sometimes it seems like God is tormenting us. You can read a couple weeks back to see everything that has already happened in my life in 2020 alone. Not fun stuff. 

How many times in the past six months have I asked God "why"? Many more times than I can count, that's for sure. But what does the Bible say about suffering, and what we should be doing instead of asking "why"? In James, it says;

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Did you get that? Instead of mourning, or complaining, or asking "why", we should rejoice. Why? Because the testing of our faith produces steadfastness. And what does that lead to? To being perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Does that change your perspective at all? It does mine. God wants us to rejoice as Christians when we go through hardship, because it tests our faith and proves that we can endure such trials. 
Romans 12:12 tells us to "Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer". See how it doesn't say "rejoice in hope, be patient in the plain sailing." Nope. It says to be patient in tribulation. Because God always comes through, and when you have faith, he will move those obstacles. Faith like a mustard seed moves mountains, right? Well, maybe not in a literal sense, like I thought when I was younger, but maybe spiritual or mental obstacles, "mountains" that we can't get around. 

How can we apply this to daily life?

Count how many times you complain about something hard you are going through in a day. Just one day. Have a piece of paper in your pocket, and catch yourself when you complain to yourself, someone else, or God. Remind yourself that God is testing your faith and trying you, seeing how steadfast you remain. 

Whenever you feel a hard feeling or complaint coming, praise God instead. Sing him a song. Write a praise in a journal entry. Pray to him. Thank him for something that he has brought you through, or thank him for being good to you. 

When you feel like complaining, rejoice, my friend.

Next Week: Loneliness, and spotting it in yourself and others.