by Kara Brown
It clicked for me recently, this joy in suffering thing.
How, in God’s economy, weakness is power.
For me, it hasn’t been an unfamiliar thing conceptually. Nothing I haven’t heard before.
But recently, somehow, it came together in a new and fresh way.
My suffering doesn’t let me wander too far off.
I can’t make it very far on my own.
A thorn in the flesh that is not only irritating, but at times debilitating, doesn’t leave me thinking there’s much I can do on my own.
We don’t want suffering. And, if you told me what you’re going through, I’d probably gladly keep my own problems.
But what a gift it is to have something that keeps me close, right where God wants me.
What a mercy that God would grant something that constantly reminds me of my need for and dependence on him.
What true joy it is to know that I share in Christ’s sufferings, which is preparing an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison (2 Cor. 4:17).
Our power in weakness? It’s his. All his. All him.
The glory he gets from giving us our bread, daily.
The honor he receives when we live out our days as he intended us to, in communion with and worship of him.
The praise he gets from doing the things only he can do.
The way it all beckons us to know and trust him more.
That doesn’t mean suffering is delightful or easy or we should disregard the pain. Life is hard. And the world is broken. And things are not as they should be.
But in the weakness and brokenness and struggle, we get glimpses of him.
And one day, the glimpses will be our full, unending reality.
Where tears will be wiped away, sadness defeated, and sin and suffering will be no more.
When all is restored, and whole, and full.
What a glorious day that will be.
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV
“Count it all joy when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” — James 1:2-4 ESV
