#ThinkingTuesday – Change your thinking; Change your life.

Once again, we’re thinking about suffering. It feels like I have written multiple times on this subject since the inception of this blog, from various angles or touchpoints, and yet I’m just not done thinking or talking about it. Why? Because suffering is such a major part of living; we can’t just brush over it with 30-second reels or highlights of cute moments on social media. There is so much suffering that we must confront in our lives and the lives of others. Learning how to “enjoy” and “endure” these moments of mourning, pain, disgrace, hardship, shame, and sacrifice –  is the only way we can boast that our lives are truly rich and full of joy in spite of evil, offense, bad news, and hard times.

What Does it Mean to “En(joy)dure Suffering”?

Trust me the irony of that phrase is not lost on me. It’s an oxymoron of the highest caliber. Suffering often doesn’t bring enjoyment to the flesh, instead, it is filled with uncertainty, distress, and despair. But on closer look, perhaps the phrase “suffering and smiling” is not so far-fetched according to scripture. 2 Timothy 4:5 – As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, and fulfill your ministry. Yes, of course, everyone is well acquainted with endurance. But did you know it’s not really endurance if you don’t do it in “JOY”? 

See James 1:2-4 ESV – 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. See also Romans 5:3-5 ESV – Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

These scriptures make reference to our attitude towards suffering – “count it all joy”, “rejoice” – it is in doing these things that we are able to endure. Endurance is not a product of mumbling and grumbling, it comes from an attitude of joy and rejoicing. The road from Suffering to Hope, cannot be successfully journeyed without the attitude of rejoicing. 

Rejoicing – Endurance – Character – Hope 

These four cycles of suffering are deeply connected. It is folly to think that you can arrive at hope without ever having rejoiced in the face of suffering. Therefore, this concept of “En(-joy-dur-)ing Suffering” requires you to look beyond the experience itself to the outcome. You might not be able to determine the experience, but you can determine the outcome. Will it make you bitter or better? Will it produce steadfastness in you? What will be your testimony? Will it be one of Hope?

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

– Romans 15:4

Why Do We Need the Joy of Endurance? 

It seems all too awful that God would ask us to count it all joy. When we fixate on the depth of our suffering we may feel like an apology is owed us, yet scripture asks us to rejoice at our own misfortune? Why?

1. We need endurance to Receive God’s promises: This one is easy – think of Joseph, of Abraham, and of Sarah who all with bated breath waited for God’s promise to be fulfilled. The joy of endurance kept them steadfast until they received what was promised. Hebrews 10:36 – For you need endurance, so that after you have done God’s will, you may receive what was promised.

2. We need endurance for it is a Gracious thing in God’s Sight: Did you that God is actually the God of Endurance; Romans 15:5 – May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus. And God’s grace is demonstrated in OUR joyful endurance. It is proof that we are not acting in our own capacity but in His strength. We are as God’s children, being led by His Spirit on the path of love. 1 Peter 2:19-20 ESV – For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.

3. We need endurance to Preserve our Lives: In the face of great suffering, joyful endurance helps preserve our mental health and well-being. Luke 21:19 – By your endurance, you will gain your lives. Remember Joseph in prison was not so cast down that he became unable to do anything but was still interpreting the dreams of others and rose to become in charge of all the prisoners therein. 

4. We need endurance to Identify with Christ in His Sufferings: Now this is the one that is not so easy. Romans 8:17 – and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. If we too must be remade in the image of Christ, we must partake in sufferings with the same attitude as he did – the attitude of joyful endurance. 1 Peter 4:1 – Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin. We cease from sin once we conquer this hurdle and learn to train our minds to exercise endurance in the face of many sufferings.

The Five Ways to “En(joy)dure Suffering”

1. Do it in Purpose: This means realising early on that God can use your suffering to help someone else – If you let Him. When a potter is molding clay into a beautiful vessel, the clay goes through pressure and shaping but ultimately becomes a masterpiece. Likewise, God can give our pain and grief a purpose; molding our suffering into something beautiful that brings hope and healing to others.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ, we share abundantly in comfort too. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort. – 2 Corinthians 1:3-7

While suffering may seem senseless and overwhelming, God can bring purpose out of our pain. He can use our experiences to comfort and encourage others who are going through similar trials. By recognising that our suffering can be a part of God’s greater plan, we can find meaning even in the midst of our struggles.

2. Do it in Prayers and Thanksgiving: The scriptures in James 5:13 says: Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Amidst suffering, it may be hard to pray or difficult to find reasons to give thanks. However, gratitude shifts our focus from our pain to the goodness of God. Remember again Romans 5:3 – Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance. When we choose to thank God even in challenging circumstances, we open our hearts to experience His peace and presence. 

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.  – 1 Thessalonians 5:18

We give thanks for God is good, He gives and he takes away – will we worship him only in times of good and reject him when times are bad? When a gardener plants a seed, he chooses to express gratitude for the growth that will eventually come instead of lamenting its current barren state. Similarly, in the midst of suffering, we can express gratitude for the growth and spiritual transformation that God is working on within us.

3. Do it in Faith: Think of a sailor caught in a storm. Though the waves crash against the ship, the sailor holds fast to the anchor, knowing that it will keep them secure. Similarly, our faith in God’s promises is the anchor that steadies us during times of suffering. There are so many promises in the scriptures that we can hold on to in times of suffering. Here are some of them: 

• 1 Peter 5:10 – And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
• Romans 8:18 – For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealedto us.
• 2 Timothy 1:12 – which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.
• Hebrews 12:2 – looking to Jesus, the founder, and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Faith is the foundation that enables us to endure suffering. When we anchor ourselves in the promises of God’s Word, we find strength, hope, and comfort. The Holy Spirit, our Helper, and Comforter is present with us even in the midst of our pain, empowering us to persevere.

4. Do it in Community: Imagine a person carrying a heavy load up a hill all by themself. They are afraid to ask for help, and so the load keeps weighing them down and breaking their bones. Suddenly, as they reach their limit and are about to give way, they see a group of people racing up the hill, placing their hands on the load and pushing it back upwards, with smiles on their faces – making the journey easier and less lonely.

If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ. – 1 Corinthians 12:26 & Galatians 6:2

We belong to the body of Christ. This means that our suffering is not always ours alone. The whole body feels pain when a single toenail or tooth is in pain. Those who suffer ought to be surrounded by others. Suffering is best en(joy)dured in the company of those who can show empathy, like Job with his friends and wife. And they sat with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his suffering was very great. – Job 2:13

So please don’t isolate yourself. Speak to someone. Don’t reject the help, care, and assistance of others in your time of weakness. Share your burdens with members of your local body of Christ. Suffering can often make us feel isolated and alone. However, God designed us for community, and during times of hardship, it is crucial to lean on our fellow believers for support, encouragement, and prayer. By sharing our struggles with trusted individuals within the church, we open ourselves to the healing power of community.

5. Do it in Health: Suffering can take a toll on our physical and emotional well-being. However, neglecting our health can further exacerbate our pain. It is important to prioritise self-care, even during difficult times. Maintaining healthy routines, exercising, and nourishing our bodies with proper food can contribute to a stronger foundation for enduring suffering. Our bodies are God’s temple and He desires that we be in good health both in spirit and in body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.  – 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

A runner participating in a marathon must maintain their pace despite physical exhaustion and take care of their body with water and nourishment to cross the finish line. Similarly, caring for our bodies allows us to endure the race of suffering with greater resilience. Do not neglect your physical well-being, it may be difficult but finding the strength to keep in step with old routines, exercise, and food can prove transformative in suffering.

Conclusion: Suffering is a universal human experience, but as Christians, we have the opportunity to navigate it with hope and purpose. When we suffer in purpose, we find reason to give thanks in prayer, fix our eyes on the Lord and His promises, and embrace community, and all this gives us strength to not neglect our health in the process. By embracing these five pillars, we can learn to suffer well and grow closer to God through the process. Remember, it is in our weaknesses that His strength is made perfect (2 Corinthians 12:9). May we find comfort in knowing that God is with us every step of the way.

SELAH