If I tried to tell you that tragedy, pain, and suffering just will not come into your life; you would know I was lying. Tragic suffering comes at us from all sides. Whether that be the widow or widower overwhelmed by grief, the fear of an unseen enemy, or it be the deep dark sorrows hidden within your heart. Tragic suffering surrounds us. Just as Thoreau said, “Most men lead lives of quiet desperation”.
Right now, the world is facing a virus. A microscopic evil so tiny yet has brought the world to a sudden halt. Fear, economical chaos, and death counts all keep rising. We are forced to confront the idea that we are no invincible when something so tiny with no ability to reason can wreak such havoc. It just floats from person to person at random; yet, it’s power to destroy our lives is evident. No longer can we take for granted all the blessings we were living. Tragic suffering that came upon us so suddenly.
Yet, is that not a lot like sin. We cannot see it; but its effects have been producing such tragic consequences since human life began. We have seen it in the bitter fighting throughout our nation, the disdain for those who protect us, the slithering of evil into every institution, the mass shootings, and the careless disrespect of life from the fetus to the aged senior citizen. Our world was running rampantly out of control before it was brought to a sudden halting screech by another tiny invisible force.
But what if I told you, this is nothing new. Not really. And even in such times, there are 3 truths for you to know steadfast joy-ever abiding within you to overcome the effects of tragic suffering in your life.
Rejoicing Steadfast Joy to Overcome Tragic Suffering
Paul, nor James were unfamiliar with tragic suffering in their life nor the life of the early church. Yet, Paul wrote in Romans 5:3 (NET)[1] “Not only this, but we also rejoice in sufferings”. Then James writes, “My brothers and sisters, consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials” James 1:2 (NET).
But why? How can that be? Wouldn’t I be just a fool to be able to rejoice when tragic suffering enters my life? Perhaps, if it was a foolish gestures and idle jokes that appeared outwardly to rejoice; but remained filled with grief, anger and sorrow inwardly. However, what if there are keys in the verses surrounding these statements which bring into light 3 keys to a genuine, abiding steadfast joy which overcomes the fear, sorrow that comes with tragic suffering. Paul and James had that, so I find it well worth studying how.
Paul wrapped this sentence with two of the major keys and then concluded with the final note.
Key #1: Because of Justification
Paul had very carefully laid out the case of humanities guilt before God in chapter 1-4 of Romans. (For details I encourage you to look at the previous posts in this series). After concluding that all are guilty and deserving of God’s wrath, Paul turns to Romans 5, where he begins.
Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (Romans 5:1-2)
Or as the NET translates, “Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have also obtained access[c] into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of God’s glory.”
This immediately precedes his statement, “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations” Romans 5:3. The first two verses are linked to the third by “and” because verses 1 and 2 are key for one to know steadfast joy which overcomes tragic suffering in our lives. Without our having peace with God through Jesus Christ there is no hope of glory, nor reason for rejoicing.
Romans 5:1-2 expounded:
Therefore (since we know that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God). Being justified (made right with God-declared righteous-our payment for sin satisfied on the cross) by faith (alone not of works). We have peace with God. (No longer is God’s wrath against our sin counted against us. The huge gulf which separated us from God is bridged by Jesus, so that we have no worry, no guilt, and no fear when approaching the throne of God). Through our Lord Jesus Christ (not by what I have done. It is because of the gracious gift of Jesus Christ. When I accept Him as Lord and Savior of my life, believing He is God’s only son who died on the cross in my place, satisfying fully the penalty of all my sin, I am justified by His blood. Furthermore, He cloaks me in His righteousness.)
By whom, (Jesus Christ) we have access. (Eternally the door is flung open so me may boldly go before the throne of God) into this grace (unmerited favor) in which we stand (unwavering, eternal security that we will never be separated from His gracious gift of adoption as sons and daughters of the living God). And Rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (Although now I am cloaked with the righteousness of Christ, one day His righteousness will fully fill my heart, mind, spirit and soul when I stand before the throne of God. I will look like Jesus and bask in His glory as it surrounds and penetrates every fiber of my being.)
Now that is a reason to rejoice, no matter what else is happening now!
So, Key number 1 means we can Rejoice as did Job
For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth. And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God. (Job 19:25-26).
Key #2 Knowing the purpose amid the tragic purpose
One day, I will have a fully transformed heart, when I stand before Jesus. However, though cloaked in His Righteousness now, I do not have His heart. I have moments of selfish desires, self-exalting pride, and things that draw me away from Him. Temptations may lead me to stumble repeatedly. So, how does God transform my heart?
It requires a skillful surgeons knife cutting away the scars of sin that keep it trapped. At times He must reveal the depth of darkness that still lies within, so that He might shine His light into my heart. He must deal with my moments of failure to trust Him fully, my faith failures. Trials work to do that. God does not orchestrate the trials. However, He allows them in my life to awaken me from my slumber to seek Him. Therefore, I can have steadfast joy to overcome tragic suffering, when I see a purpose in it.
Chemotherapy was very hard to endure; but I saw the purpose. It was necessary to kill the cancer eating away at my body. Trials are hard to endure; but have a purpose. They are needed to kill the sin eating away at my spirit.
Paul wrote, “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience…patience, experience and experience, hope. Hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”
Therefore:
The why fore our tragic suffering. As we walk through it we find we have a strength, a fortitude that we never knew we had; because, the Holy Spirit is there to sustain us.
James 1 said we count it all joy when we face various trials; “because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect effect, so that you will be perfect and complete, not deficient in anything.”
We are being made perfect, wanting of nothing through the trials. That is an amazing reason to have a steadfast joy that overcomes tragic suffering in this life.
Key #3: Keeping our focus on Jesus.
“just as sin reigned in death, so also grace will reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 5: 21 NET)
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2).
Philippians 3:
8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Then, when we see Him as our greatest treasure, we can rejoice even in suffering because we know He will use our suffering to bring us closer to Himself.
Concluding Thoughts.
This is true only if you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. So, my question is: “Do you?” If not will you today, repent of your sins. Pray,
“Heavenly Father, I know that I am a sinner, broken and full of pride. I also, believe that you are the creator of the world and Jesus Christ is your only begotten son, perfect in every way. He died for sins, having received all the wrath that I so deserved. I today bow before you, accepting Him as my Lord and Savior. Please, come into my heart and begin the work of transforming it, whatever it takes. If I confess with my mouth, and believe with my heart, I know that your promise is true and that you by grace alone accept me into your family for eternity. In Jesus Precious Name I pray, AMEN.
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
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©Effie Darlene Barba, 2019
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Credits
[1] New English Translation (NET)
NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.
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