The Sheer Sweetness of Suffering Saints: Why I Marvel at God's Chosen Trials
Hey everyone! I was just thinking the other day about all the stories in the Bible where people go through the wringer, and you know what? It just makes my heart swell with… well, a kind of sweet gratitude. It might sound strange, but I see God's hand so clearly in the way He allows His saints to endure, and it honestly fills me with peace.
Take Job, for example. I mean, the guy lost EVERYTHING. His kids, his health, his wealth, all gone in a blink. It’s like someone had a personal vendetta against him. But you know what he says in Job 1:21? "Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised." Honestly, when I read that, it puts all my little everyday grumbles in perspective. Like, yeah, maybe I had a tough day at work or the coffee machine broke again, but it ain’t nothing compared to what Job went through. And yet, he still praised God! That’s true faith right there.
I was having a particularly challenging time last year. My family was dealing with a lot of health issues, and we were just feeling so stretched. I remember one night, after a particularly rough day at the hospital, I was feeling like the world was just too much. I felt like Job, but I wasn’t sure I could hold on to the faith like him. So, I curled up with my bible and stumbled upon Psalm 34:18: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” It felt like the Lord was right there, wrapping me in His love, reminding me I wasn't alone. It wasn't that the hardship went away, but I felt a renewed strength to face it all. I started seeing it as God’s way of growing me and showing me his steadfast love. It wasn’t easy, but looking back, it's those times of intense pain that have drawn me closest to God. It's like He’s refining us, removing the impurities, and making us more like Him.
And it’s not just about the big trials either. Sometimes, the little daily frustrations are just a little glimpse of what it must be like to really rely on God. When my car wouldn’t start the other morning and I was late for church, it wasn’t a tragedy by any means. But I was tempted to get so frustrated! Instead, I took a deep breath and said a quick prayer, “Lord, you have a plan, help me to see it,” I ended up meeting an older woman, stranded by the side of the road, and was able to help her. I wouldn’t have been there if my car had started. God works in mysterious ways, and honestly, those seemingly little “trials” sometimes lead to the most surprising blessings. It’s like He’s saying, “Hey, I’m in control, even when things feel like a mess.”
I know it's hard sometimes. It's so easy to question why things are happening and why we have to suffer. But I truly believe that God uses every single experience, both good and bad, to shape us into who we're meant to be. Romans 5:3-5 tells us "we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." It’s all part of the process, this beautiful, messy, heartbreaking, and joy-filled process of becoming more like Christ. And honestly, that's a sweetness I can't describe.
So, take heart, friends. When you’re facing hard times, try to see them as an opportunity to grow closer to God. Don't shy away from the challenges; embrace them, and seek the lessons hidden within the pain. I promise you, even in the midst of the storms, you’ll find God's peace, and you might even find, like I have, that there’s a peculiar sweetness in the suffering of His saints.
What experiences have you had that have strengthened your faith, even when they were difficult?