Joy in Grief

Variety holds high value in today's US market. Choices abound on store shelves. A wealth of cellular plans exists to choose from. Hair styles, clothing styles, musical styles; I think you get my point and I'm sure you could name many other examples that show the riches of choice available to us as Americans.

But there is one variety of thing before us that isn't readily appreciated by most in our culture, or really in any culture. And many of us know this variety. I'm talking about the variety of suffering that we all experience throughout our lives. Peter, the apostle of Jesus, well aware of the various struggles we encounter, wrote to a group of believers who were going through it,

... though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, ¹

Peter acknowledges that our suffering, the trials we come under and go through, are difficult and cause grief. This is important to note. He is not saying, "Chin up, get over it, you're supposed to love the hardships of the Christian life!" No, he is granting that suffering takes its toll on all of us. God understands that your trial is hard. But let's not end here.

In another letter to suffering Christians, James the apostle writes (using the same exact words as Peter for "various trials" ²),

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, ³

James is giving us empowering words to face the grief that a variety of trials can bring. He is sharpening our wit and bringing clarity to our sometimes-murky attitude. Bouncing off of Peter's acknowledgement that trials cause grief, James is letting us know that the variety of our sufferings is not purposeless. There is purpose in your suffering and therefore, there is hope, and one thing all of us need to get through our trials is hope.

James is offering us the hope of something better and encouraging us to frame our trials in this hope.

When the rejection hurts deeply, He is building sensitivity to others.

When loneliness sears our hearts, He is building compassion.

When the loss is too great to bear, He is becoming your Shepherd.

When anger is seething and shaking you to the core, He is building patience.

In all your trials, He is making you more like his Son. ⁴

You can face the variety of trials that will come your way in this life. You can face the trial you are navigating through right now. It hurts, but there is hope; and His promise for you remains,

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Hold on, saint.

References

¹ 1 Peter 1:6

² The Greek for various (ποικίλοις - Strongs 4164) trials (πειρασμοῖς - Strongs 3986) are the same Greek words used by both Peter and James.

³ James 1:2

⁴ Romans 8:29 - For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;

⁵ Jeremiah 29:11