Trials and Suffering

The last few weeks I have found myself being more tired than usual. I am sleeping almost every afternoon I come home from school and sleeping in until 10:30 on Saturdays and coming home on Sundays and napping after church. Before the last few days, I have thought- obviously my body needs the sleep and God has given me the time in this season of life to do that, so I will be thankful. 

Now my fatigue has become more of a burden. Yesterday I came home from school and slept from 4 to 7 and then went to bed at 9:30 and slept until 10:30 this morning. Even writing this now, I find myself wanting to close my eyes and drift off. I have gone from being thankful to being resentful. I am 30 years old and feel like I am sleeping my life away. I feel I am missing out on life itself...but then that still, small voice says this is the place I have you right now. This is my plan for you at this moment. These are the trials I am allowing in your life and using to make you more like Me. Now you might think I am crazy thinking that sleeping too much is a problem. However, chronic fatigue with Lyme disease and fibromyalgia mixed in, creates some suffering. 

So what does the Bible tell me about trials and sufferings? The Bible provides many verses that speak to us about trials and suffering particularly quoted by Jesus Christ, the Apostle Paul, the Apostle Peter and the Apostle James. Here are just a few that have captured my heart and mind-

James 1:2-4
Count it all joy, my brothers, 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 5:10-11
Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

God calls me to be joyful. God is strengthening my faith to produce steadfastness (perseverance). God wants me to persevere, to stand firm, to finish the course. He supplies me with compassion and mercy. My God is a gracious God. 

2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

God is the God of all comfort. He is able to comfort us in any affliction. Why? So that we can comfort others during their afflictions. God is using my afflictions in order for me to be able to relate, sympathize and support others through theirs. 

Hebrews 4:15-16
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Hebrews 12:2-4
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.

I could reread these verses all day. I stand in awe of the One who was sinless, yet suffered for my sin and shame. Jesus had a choice. He chose to do the Father's will. He loves me that much. 

2 Corinthians 12:9

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.

He gives us enough grace-for each moment, for each day. His grace is sufficient for me.

Am I boasting in my weaknesses so that the power of Christ may rest upon me? Am I joyful through my trials? Am I persevering? Am I comforting and encouraging others? Am I approaching the throne of grace and fixing my eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of my faith? 

Through God's amazing grace and mercy, I can say yes. Being completely lost and utterly dependent on Him each and every day, growing in an intimate relationship with the One who gave it all for me will I be able to say yes- in Christ alone. 

Linking with Titus 2 Tuesday