Bible Reading Blog
“Suffering as an Opportunity”
Categories: Congregational Bible ReadingBIBLE READING: James 1
“Do not be deceived; every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”
In the context he’s talking about trials and suffering. He wants us to remember that, regardless of what we’re going through, what God does is always good and for our good [Psalm 119.68]. But it’s important to note that he’s not teaching God’s goodness as a contrast to suffering. Instead, he’s talking about suffering as an exercise of God’s goodness. Now, how can suffering be good? That seems to be the age-old question for many. From a natural perspective, anything that does not create pleasure in the moment is not good. But we often lack the vision to see how things should be. We settle our hearts on the pleasure, comfort and enjoyment of this life and are discontent with anything but that.
But God wants us to live as we should. So, James tells us to count it as joy when we face suffering (1.2-4). Why? Because trials are a testing process that shows what will last and what will not. Sometimes we put our trust in temporary things without considering their outcome. This world is passing away, along with its desires (1 John 2.17), and suffering is God’s grace to point us towards things more permanent. So, we must see suffering as an opportunity to change our mind and elevate our thinking. Some of our suffering is just the nature of life. But other suffering is the result of our faith choices. Conforming to God’s will is completely opposed to my selfishness. Allowing Him to dictate my choices is a collision between two worlds. Without the right perspective, it makes no sense to endure suffering at all. But what James wants us to see is that all suffering, whether external or internal is an opportunity to become more conformed to the image of God.
The implication of all this is that we are not how we should be. We lack the ability to experience good on our own. We must never deceive ourselves into thinking that we are good, unless we are obedient and allowing God’s grace to change us. We need help to become good, and God does this through our sufferings.
Through suffering we become perfect and complete, lacking in nothing (James 1.4). This is referring to the transformation of our mind and not our physical self (Romans 12.1-2; 2 Corinthians 4.16). In this life we will experience physical limitations, but they are preparing us for an eternal weight of glory in the presence of God who gives everything we need (2 Corinthians 4.17). We know that difficult seasons will come, but by faith, we can enjoy the peace of God who is working all things together for our good in every season.
“…I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us… in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” (Romans 8.16-39)
