peace to live by

Rejoicing in Our Sufferings? Part 3 (TMF:2585)

Friday, April 04, 2025
Peace to Live By: Rejoicing in Our Sufferings? Part 3 (TMF:2585) - Daniel Litton
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       Indeed, while many are not that familiar with everyday suffering, many around us, at the same time, actually are. One may wonder where this is going, and whether, on account of this verse or other verses, it means that the Christian is supposed to “rejoice” no matter what the sufferings. However, if we take a close look at what Paul was rejoicing over, it was actually sufferings for Christ’s sake. Not suffering for getting Alzheimer’s, not suffering for one’s baby dying, not suffering for separation from a friend, not suffering for the spouse leaving you and the kids behind, not suffering for disturbing thoughts that are hard to bring under control, not suffering for working that low paying job. These are bad things that really happen and of which are just that, bad. Paul emphasis today is something else. To put it another way, he would say to the Corinthians, “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison” (2 Corinthians 4:17, ESV).