A Word about Suffering

Today I want to share a word about suffering, as I comment on James 1:2-8. This passage reads:

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. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

Confession Time:

Today I have a confession to make. It is hard to admit it, but, yes, when I was younger and living at home, my family often watched “Hee-Haw” together.

For those of you unfamiliar with this television variety show, let me say that while it did showcase a great deal of talented country and western performers, it also offered an excessive amount of low-brow, hillbilly humor, which ranged from Junior Samples’ car lot gag (the phone number was “BR549”) to the cast inquiring of Grandpa, “What’s for supper?” 

One of the most popular sketches dealt humorously with the troubles of life. This segment began with a song, which had these lyrics:

Gloom, despair, and agony on me,

Deep dark depression, excessive misery.

If it weren’t for bad luck, I’d have no luck at all,

Gloom, despair, and agony on me.

Be careful, that little bit of doggerel will stick in your head and bedevil you all day, if you aren’t careful!

Truth be told, we tend to make light of trials, troubles and suffering because they are all too common in our day-to-day existence. A flat tire, a missed flight, or a malfunctioning home appliance can ruin our day. Sickness, the death of a loved one, a failed relationship, and financial woes can, if we allow them, ruin our entire lives. Sometimes we all can feel like, “If it weren’t for bad luck, I’d have no luck at all.” This is especially true in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the social unrest of the past two years, and our current economic challenges. 

Accept the Reality of Suffering:

James gave us great guidance about how to respond to suffering in our focal passage for today. He began by telling us we must accept the reality of suffering.

The Bible is full of the stories of real people who had real difficulties living a real life on this real earth. In 1 Corinthians 10:13, Paul taught us that trials and trouble are common to all people, and we know from 1 Peter 2:18-25, that just people can suffer in this imperfect world that was marred by human sin. Suffering is real; when it comes into our lives, what should we do?

Adjust to the State of Suffering:

James went on to teach us that we must adjust to the state of suffering. We need to learn to be steadfast. The common human responses to a threat are to fight, flee, or freeze. None of those will work well with suffering because we usually have no access to the source of our troubles. If we did, we’d be able to mitigate them. Instead, James tells us to be steadfast, that is to endure our suffering. Endurance is hard for most people, that’s why there are so few marathon runners. Employers in some industries try to hire college graduates, not because they have the skills which will be needed, but because they had the endurance to complete a multi-year college degree. Skills can be taught, but not endurance and determination.

Fortunately for us, we have help with our endurance. We can be steadfast because we know God is on our side, and that He loves us and is with us. He also has prepared a “table for us in the presence of our enemies,” and He has prepared a home for us in Heaven when our suffer days are over. We need to yield to God and allow Him to help us endure.

Have a Good Attitude about Suffering:

Next, James taught that we must develop a good attitude in our trials and difficulties. We must realize that our faith is like a muscle, and that it cannot get stronger unless it is exercised and tested. This is one dimension of the truth that Paul taught in Romans 8:28, 

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

I remember clearly how my muscles ached after that first high school football practice after a summer of sloth, and sleeping-in. By the end of the season, however, after many practices, my muscles no longer ached. I was still as slow as molasses in wintertime, but I was stronger and healthier. If I had quit after that first practice, I would never have enjoyed the blessing of that came from the testing of my body. The same is true of the spiritual, psychological, emotional, and relational aspects of our lives when we are steadfast ins suffering and troubles.

Accelerate Forward Through Suffering:

Finally, James insisted that we must accelerate forward; that is, don’t wallow in our troubles. As baseball great Satchel Paige reportedly said, “Don’t look back. Something might be gaining on you!” 

Too often we let our memories of past events and troubles haunt us. Complicated grief is a real thing, and people trapped in it need professional help. That said, God’s plan is moving forward, and we need to move forward in our lives as well. We simply can’t move forward while looking back!

Additional Confessions:

As I close, let me admit something else. Today I am really preaching to myself. As I have often said, “I don’t do suffering well.” I suppose that few people do. Still, God can take the reality of suffering in this imperfect, sin-marred world and make something good in our lives. Let’s be steadfast and look to God for our help and our growth as we negotiate this troubled world!

Every blessing, 

Dr. Otis Corbitt