This morning I was reading in 2 Peter, and the phrase rejoicing in suffering struck a cord in my heart. Really? How do I do that?
It has been a long, hard, almost 3 years since Dale passed away. I have shed gallons of tears, worn out a few dozen pairs of spiritual knees, and have journeyed down some dark and lonely pathways. I have often wondered if I will see the light at the end of the proverbial tunnel. Yet, in all that, I have learned I can rejoice in suffering. Why? Let me start with a little preface.
A couple of weeks ago, my dad called me to let me know he has been diagnosed with lung cancer. He has never been a smoker, has never worked around toxic air. So why lung cancer? I don't know, God alone does. What I do know is that is has knocked me off my feet, once again. Not in the way of being angry at the Lord, questioning His goodness and will, but simply cause this is my daddy we're talking about. It hurts. It hurts to know my mom will be going through the same thing I have already gone through. A new journey for her, a not so new one for me. There will be new pain reminiscent of the old , experiences that will be familiar. There will be tears that wash down what seems permanent trails on my checks. It will be hard.
So how can I rejoice in such familiar suffering? Because my God is still the same as He was 3 years ago, He will always remain steadfast. In that, I rejoice. As He draws me to His side in this suffering, if I daily yield to Him, I will be tried by fire and become more like Him. In that, I rejoice. If my becoming more like Him will be of help to my parents, to my kids, to others watching us as we journey on this new pathway; if I can be an example of God's love and faithfulness, because of what He has already done in my heart, then, in that, I can rejoice. I can, I will rejoice in suffering, because...
