If you have ever looked back on something you have gone through that was horrible and said, "I wouldn't EVER want to go through that again, but I am glad for what came out of it," I think you are on to what both Paul and James wrote about.
James penned those words I am not certain how to apply. "Count it all joy." I'd love to! Then come the words, "when you meet trials of various kinds." Okay, sure. What?!
Somehow the knowing is supposed to help: "Knowing that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." I like being steadfast. It is like that picture of the lighthouse being bashed over and over again by the waves, and yet it remains still beaming for all those who are looking toward it.
Paul writes about that knowing too. Interesting to note that you cannot know something unless you have been through it. Some of us "know" things very well. Some of us live those things on a daily basis. Some of those things include suffering.
Romans 5:3f, "we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that ..." there it is again--the knowing that is supposed to help.
I was reflecting on that phrase that is now the title of this blog post and I could recount that I have said those words several times. I wouldn't want to go through those things again, but for what they produced in me, I am thankful for: character, hope, joy, true friendships, streadfastness.
Paul recounts for us what sufferings do for us as well, "suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope," and this hope is the end of his line of thinking.
I don't think the hope is for going through things again, but we all should know that is going to happen. However, I do think hope occurs when tough things come our way. It is a hope that keeps the lighthouse's beams burning bright. It is yours and my hearts saying, "I've been through worse and survived; I will make it through this."
Paul encourages us with what hope does for real, "hope does not put us to shame." How many times have been left on the front porch waiting for what we had hoped for to come only to be left standing there like a fool? "Never again!" we shout shaking our fists at the imaginary "who" behind our feelings [insert name here]. "Never again, will I play the fool in your game!" And we go back inside to nurse our feelings of shame.
Not so with the hope secured in God's promises. Paul continues, "because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." There is to much to say about this.
There are so many verses about God's promises and each one is worthy of hope. God meets us where we are to help us remain steadfast until His promises come to us--He WANTS us to receive the good things He has for us. It is grace and faith and hope and love that make it all happen, and if we reflected on it long enough, we would come to the conclusion that those things are what make life worth living.
I don't want to go through some things again, but I am glad for what they produced in me. SO, here's to the steadfastness that is on its way and the hope that brings it to me. In the name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.