Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith brings about perseverance. And let perseverance have its perfect work, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4 (LSB)
One of the common questions people have regarding the existence of God is this: If God exists, why would He allow suffering? A loved one died; an incident permanently disabled someone; others experienced some form of mistreatment or abuse. The pain of these horrific events causes some to question the existence of God, leading some who profess Christ to doubt or even commit apostasy. Why do people suffer? Is it because God in the sky is a figment of our imagination, or is there a reason for the suffering? As Christians, we will encounter suffering and people who have encountered suffering. Therefore, we need to be able to defend the existence of God and fight against doubt by having an answer for why suffering occurs. Otherwise, we become susceptible to stumbling in our faith and ineffective in sharing the Gospel. For this reason, we must turn to Scripture to study why suffering happens and how to deal with it. In James 1, James urges the Christian Jews suffering persecution to have joy in persecution because suffering results in complete and mature Christian character.
Before explaining why Christians suffer, James, understanding that Christians do suffer, exhorts the believer to “Consider it all joy when you encounter various trials” (Legacy Standard Bible[1], James 1.2). This idea of considering it all joy is not looking at your suffering and being happy for suffering’s sake. Rather, this conveys the idea of preoccupying your mind[2] with God’s favor and grace[3] in your life. In Acts 5:41, the apostles were “rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for the Name” (Acts 5.41). James is urging the Christians under persecution to respond like the apostles did, knowing that this suffering is a sign of God’s favor, not His wrath. Christians should consider it an honor to be persecuted and suffer for the faith. Therefore, the Christian worldview should not be that of complaining, self-pity, mopeyness, or hatred of God. These attitudes indicate pride and a lack of trust in God. Instead, one’s response should be to delight in the Lord, no matter the circumstance. Whether the suffering is imprisonment or being beaten or mockery, dependence on God and finding joy in Him is the only proper response.
Now that we know that we should trust in the Lord with joy, we must understand that the reason for this attitude is that its result is perseverance, which itself results in being “perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (verse 4). By experiencing trials of all sorts, one will learn to endure through any challenge by God’s grace. As a result of this perseverance, the Lord will make the believer “perfect and complete,” meaning that his character is fully developed[4] and mature[5]. In church last week, Pastor Steve Mawhorter of Northcreek Church preached on 2 Corinthians 12 and how God refused to remove the thorn in Paul’s flesh, which, in context, was false prophets slandering Paul’s reputation. The Lord chose not to remove these false teachers from the Corinthian church because His “grace is sufficient…, for power is perfected in weakness,” causing Paul to “boast in [his] weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in [him]” (2 Cor 12.9). By enduring trials and suffering, man displays God’s grace and power as he depends on God for strength to respond correctly and wisely.
Once we realize that trials have a purpose for our good and God’s glory, our new perspective should illicit several responses. First, when life’s challenges attack us, we should turn to the Word and prayer, increasing our dependence on God’s sovereignty and power, knowing that God is sanctifying us. Second, we should stop praying for the Lord take away all difficulties; it’s not going to happen. As Pastor Steve noted, if we live a hardship free life, then we will not depend on the grace and comfort that God gives, which means that we will not grow into mature slaves of God. Third, we must remember that, as a byproduct of our suffering and growth, we will benefit others by encouraging them in the Lord. Lastly, when the age-old question of “Why does God allow suffering if He’s real?” come up, you can answer with “Because God builds character and maturity and displays His grace as His people rely on Him.”
Suffering is not without its purpose. Through suffering, Christians depend more on God as He matures them into people more pleasing to Him. Instead of complaining, one should be grateful and have joy, knowing that trials are a sign of God at work. Once the Christian recognizes this, he will need the wisdom in how to practically respond to each trial, which is what we will address next week. In the meantime, I want you to remember that suffering is a natural part of living in a fallen world and that God allows it in your life on this side of eternity, not because He hates you, but because He loves you. He will make you a humbler, more joyful person because of it. Trust and delight yourself in the Lord.
COMMITTING TO GOD’S GRACE AND LOVE,
Jeremiah Yonemura
[1] Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.com [2] “Strong’s Greek: 2233. ἡγέομαι (Hégeomai) -- to Lead, Suppose.” Biblehub.com, biblehub.com/greek/2233.htm. Accessed 27 June 2022. [3] “Strong’s Greek: 5479. χαρά (Chara) -- Joy, Delight.” Biblehub.com, biblehub.com/greek/5479.htm. Accessed 26 June 2022. [4] “Strong’s Greek: 3648. ὁλόκληρος (Holokléros) -- Complete, Entire.” Biblehub.com, biblehub.com/greek/3648.htm. Accessed 26 June 2022. [5] “Strong’s Greek: 5046. τέλειος (Teleios) -- Having Reached Its End, I.e. Complete, by Ext. Perfect.” Biblehub.com, biblehub.com/greek/5046.htm. Accessed 26 June 2022.