A Biblical Perspective on Suffering

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.

James 1:2-4

I’ve started paging through a new book by Milton Vincent called A Gospel Primer, which is the culmination of over two year’s worth of meditations on Scripture leading the author to write this book about preaching the Gospel to ourselves every day. Vincent says this in his introduction, “Over the course of time, preaching the Gospel to myself every day has made more of a difference in my life than any other discipline I have ever practiced.” I’m determined to take his advice and seek to center all of my meditation around the Gospel to see how it unfolds in my every day life. This morning I spent some time pondering the above verses on trials and would like to share some Gospel-centered thoughts not only with you, but also with myself.

James’ main point of this passage is to tell us that joy is the proper, but not automatic, response to trials. We all know that trials are not fun to go through. They don’t make us happy to get up in the mornings or be around the person who irritates us. However, since this is the first remark James makes after his greeting, we can be sure that he is not offering this as a mere suggestion but rather a strong exhortation to all of us.

“Count it all joy” suggests that we have a decision to make in how we view trials. The Greek word used actually means to command or lead, so it is as if James is saying, “command your minds to rejoice in trials,” because he knows, as we all do, that our default when facing trials is a far cry from rejoicing.

When speaking of our thoughts, Paul says it this way in 2 Corinthians 10:5, “take every thought captive to obey Christ.” I am certain that as we look to Christ’s trials, we will not find instances of grumbling, bitterness, or a downtrodden attitude. Therefore, if we are to make every thought obedient to Jesus Christ, we must command our thoughts to rejoice in the promised outcome of trials.

If we love God, Paul tells us in Romans 8:28 that all things work together for our good. And last time I checked, “all things” included trials and tribulations! So let’s take a look at three good things that James tells us result from counting it all joy when we face trials.

1. Trials test our faith.

Trials show ourselves and others what we’re really made of. How we respond when the heat is turned up goes a long, long way to expose our true character and worldview. God intentionally allows trials so that, as we turn to Him, our faith is strengthened. Peter says it this way in his first letter that “the tested genuineness of your faith--more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire” will result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ our Lord. (Ch. 1:7) As our faith is tested, God is glorified when our attitude is obedient to Christ.

1. Trials produce steadfastness.

Trials cultivate endurance in the lives of believers. It is likely that many peoples’ faith would be very shallow if we were not faced with trials. And there is not much better indication of a shallow faith than a poor reaction to trials! In Romans 5, learned endurance from trials is said to lead to character and character on to hope which never puts us to shame because Jesus Christ is our hope, and we are anchored eternally to Him and His righteousness. If we acknowledge Christ’s presence in our trials like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego did in Daniel 3, we will come out the other side unscathed and stronger for or efforts.

1. Trials perfect our character and Christlikeness.

Vincent’s meditations made me aware of 2 Corinthians 3:18 and how relevant it is when applied to trials. “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” Wow!

Jesus faced unimaginable trials that we could never endure or even comprehend. As we share in His sufferings, we have a precious opportunity to behold the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ and become more and more like Him! That is why Christ died! So that we who would come after Him might be conformed into His image and His righteousness. It wasn’t simply so we could escape the punishment of sin. That is far too small a reason to follow Jesus! We are made like Him know the One who loved us enough that He died for our sins.

If you claim to be a Christian, your heart will long to be made like the heart of Christ. Your spirit will yearn to be joined with Christ in His suffering. Your life will show that your thoughts, words, and deeds are obedient to Christ in increasing fashion from “one degree of glory to another.”

If this isn’t your plea, have you drifted away? Do you really know Christ? Or perhaps you are just lazy? Too lazy to open the Bible and experience the joys of God’s Word for yourself only to live out a safe, comfortable existence that never amounts to any abundance for Christ who died for you.

How’s your heart today? How do you view trials? Let us gaze upon our Perfect Example one last time.

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.

Hebrews 12:2

Amen.