As a Christian the things I really want in my life are to see my faith grow, to see my moral character get stronger and to experience more joy. The good news is that the pathway to achieving all three of these desires is often through trials and suffering – yes suffering can produce good things in our lives. Let’s look at all three of these areas.
(1 Peter 1:6-7) says: “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” Trials and suffering are often the main tools God uses to build our faith up. As we see God come through in our lives our trust and faith in him grows.
Moral character often gets formed through hardships, obstacles and suffering. For example, courage would be impossible in a world without pain. It is important to note that our universe is a soul making machine. We grow through difficult, challenging and painful experiences. And remember the point of our lives in this world isn’t comfort but training and preparation for eternity.
(James 1:2) says: “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials.” For the Christian joy and suffering (trials) are often two sides of the same coin. Doing God’s will often calls for sacrificial suffering but joy will be our constant companion as we travel with Jesus. Remember you can’t always have happiness since happiness depends on positive circumstances. But you can always have joy since joy depends on our being obedient to the Lord. I like to define joy as that calm assurance that what we are doing in life is pleasing to the Father. So, when we endure suffering we please God and get joy.
So, what good can come out of suffering – well at least three things: stronger faith, better moral character and more joy! I agree with the psalmist when he shared: “It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn your statutes.” – (Psalm 119:71)