How can we rejoice through pain?
by Erik Lutz, AiG-U.S.
As I write this devotional, thoughts
from the past week flood my mind. I’ve been confused by a lot of seemingly
difficult circumstances and pain—physical, mental, and emotional—culminating in
the sudden, tragic death of my neighbor last evening.
A quote from the movie The Princess Bride keeps
repeating in my mind. Westley said, “Life is pain. . . . Anyone who says
differently is selling something.” Without Christ, this is often true. We can attempt
to numb the pain—as so many do with alcohol and drugs—or distract ourselves
with all kinds of temporary pleasures, but this only masks the hurt. Whenever
the fleeting feelings of circumstantial happiness leave us floating alone in
the ocean of life, the pain is there waiting to drag us under—and we find
ourselves gasping for breath.
No earthly thing can truly satisfy your soul. Our souls are
not designed to be fulfilled by earthly things because we were created by God
and for God (Colossians 1:16). And because God is good, He has
not created us for pain. Humans are designed for joy, but true joy is only
found in God.
Since we all turn away from God and try to make our own way
(Isaiah
53:6), our lives are filled with difficulty and trials resulting
from sin. Sin brings suffering—whether it’s our sin, the sin of others around
us, or the original sin of the first man, Adam. God does not enjoy inflicting
pain on His creation, but He does pour out judgment. He also allows pain, and
we can use it as an opportunity to grow in wisdom, faith, and perseverance.
My brethren, count it all joy when
you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces
patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and
complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who
gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. (James
1:2–5)
James said to consider the trials in life to be “all joy”
because of the ultimate goal: becoming more like Christ. Rejoicing is not just
a better way to live; it is the right way to live. In today’s verse alone we
are emphatically commanded to rejoice always.
This world is passing away, but you will live forever. For
the believer, pain is temporary, but joy is eternal. A day is coming when pain
will be destroyed, and we will never feel hurt again (Revelation
21:1–7), but for now we must walk by faith through the trials.
Today’s big idea: you were created for joy in Christ, so
rejoice in every moment.
What to pray: ask the Lord for wisdom so you can rejoice
even through the pain.
