Joy in suffering
Prayers
1. Father, by mercy, deliver Ukraine and the nations from aggression and war in the name of Jesus.
2. Suffering assigned by evil powers against my life scatter in the name of Jesus.
I pray that:
May you find joy in every situation you go through in the name of Jesus.
Text: 1 Peter 1:8, 1 Peter 4
Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory (KJV)
Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and though you do not even see Him now, you believe and trust in Him and you greatly rejoice and delight with inexpressible and glorious joy, (AMP)
Suffering for God’s Glory
12Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;
13but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.
15But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters.
16Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter. (1 Peter 4)
What is Joy?
Joy has been defined as:
· a feeling of great pleasure and happiness
· the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying
· keen pleasure
· elation
Synonyms of joy include delight, great pleasure, jubilation, triumph, exultation, rejoicing, happiness, gladness, glee, exhilaration, ebullience, exuberance, elation, euphoria, bliss, and ecstasy.
You see that what most people seek innately is embedded in joy even if they cannot articulate it in words.
Joy is deep gladness in the spirit.
What is Suffering?
Suffering on the other hand has been defined as:
· the state of undergoing pain, distress, or hardship
· physical or mental pain that a person or animal is feeling
· Suffering is a serious pain that someone feels in their body or their mind
· Suffering, or pain in a broad sense, may be an experience of unpleasantness or aversion, possibly associated with the perception of harm or threat of the perception of harm in an individual.
This is not an easy topic; however, it is in the Bible. The Bible does not teach that there will be no suffering for Christians. Jesus, even though He was God’s Son, the Bible says he learned obedience from the things which He suffered (Hebrews 5:8).
God did not waive suffering for Jesus, Apostle Paul, Peter, James, and so many others.
We just need to understand how to navigate through it now and whenever it comes.
Importantly, do realize and understand that:
Jesus is the bridge between joy and suffering.
As a good bridge sustains the people and weight on it, Jesus can carry you through.
Jesus can and will sustain you and yours in and through every situation in the name of Jesus.
We have seen and heard of women who have been barren for years and decades, but God answered their prayers.
We have heard and seen people who were sick and went through pain but God delivered them.
We have heard and seen the despised and rejected being raised up, glorified, and honored.
Your case will not be difficult for God to do. God will come through for you in the name of Jesus.
Note:
· Without joy you cannot make it through suffering.
· Suffering is a universal entity. It is no respecter of persons. It comes to the poor, the rich, the old, and the young. We have all gone through one form of suffering or the other.
· We are currently going through one form of challenge or the other.
· It may be pain, lack, or health challenge in our own lives or the life of a loved one.
· It may be a financial situation, inadequacy, and such.
· It may be a mental challenge, stress, etc.
· Unfortunately, in the future we will go through one challenge or the other, one form of suffering or the other.
· That is why it is very important to have the bridge between joy and suffering with you at all times.
· The bridge is Jesus Christ the Son of the living God, the stiller of storms, the source and root of true, enduring joy.
· You may have gone through the suffering of the past. You may be doing well with the suffering of the present.
· How about the suffering of the future? Do you know what they are?
· Do you know the sufferings that are part of God's plan for your life?
· Do you know the sufferings that are part of the devil's plans against your life and family?
· Only God knows tomorrow, hence it is important to secure your tomorrow with more joy instead of suffering.
· You can have joy in the midst of the suffering that you have now or will ever have.
What is joy in suffering?
· This is joy even when the situation causing the suffering is still there.
· Without joy enduring and going through suffering is almost impossible.
· Setting your gaze on the end of the suffering
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2)
Jesus for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame and He achieved His goal of attaining glory and being at the right hand of the Father.
So what do you need to do to always have joy no matter the suffering or situation you are going through?
· Be born again. Be saved. Story of an unbeliever who approached a man of God to ask about His future. The man of God responded that His future is very terrible, and gloomy and will end up badly.
· Have your goal in view
· Trust that God can bring it to pass
· Have faith that God can and will see you through
· Trust that God will turn around your situations from sorrow to joy and suffering to rejoicing
· Refuse to be discouraged
· Never let your gaze on eternal life, your future better state and glory go dim
Prayer:
My resounding peace and joy, appear by fire in Jesus’ name.
Prayers
1. Give thanks
2. Born again?
3. My Father, my Father, turn my sufferings to joy, my pain to gain, and weeping to gladness in the name of Jesus.
4. Agents of suffering assigned against my life, scatter in the name of Jesus.
5. I receive healing and deliverance from every sickness and difficult situation in Jesus’ name.
6. Father lay your hand of healing and deliverance on loved ones with special needs in Jesus’ name.
7. My life and family are shielded with the blood of Jesus against every attack from the kingdom of darkness in Jesus’ name.
8. I receive the anointing of ease in my endeavors in Jesus’ name.
9. Joy, peace, prosperity sound health and flourishing, come upon my life in the name of Jesus.
10.Personal prayer points.
11.Give thanks.
May your present sufferings give way to present and future joy for you and yours in the name of Jesus.
May the peace of God always be upon your life. Keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus in the name of Jesus.