If you learn to trust Christ through suffering, you’ll know Him so much better.
Visit www.joniradio.org for more inspiration and encouragement!
SHAUNA: This is Shauna on Joni Eareckson Tada: Sharing Hope. Here’s our friend Joni with an assuring word from Jesus.
JONI: Thanks, Shauna. You know, I remember the time backstage at a conference where I was speaking, I noticed a sticky note on the logistical outline for the program, and on the note was scribbled, “Joni, the suffering lady.” I guess the stage manager had forgotten my name or something, but he knew I was that lady who spoke a lot about suffering! And it made me wonder if that’s what most people think. Do they see me as “the suffering lady?” I guess it’s true that I speak and write a lot about afflictions, about my pain and paralysis. But I only do it as a way of sharing the goodness of God in it and the glorious sufficiency of His grace to sustain us through those awful afflictions. I look at my own disability and I want us all to see the provisions that God makes for us when we suffer and how we as Christians can handle pain and problems; no, rather, how we should handle those things.
And a great Bible verse to help us handle any suffering is 1 Peter 4:19. “Those who suffer according to the will of God should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good [now, that’s being patient and not complaining].” So, if today you are dealing with chronic pain, the loss of a job, or migraines, or rejection from a loved one; if you are suffering according to the will of God [and that means God knows about your problems, trials, and He’s allowing it for a purpose]; then commit yourself to your faithful creator [that’s trusting God] and continue to do good [that’s obeying Him]. When you make this a practice, it’ll strip away all worldly desires that compete for your heart, and it’ll make you cling more closely to Jesus Christ. And that’s when you delight not only in the blessings of Christ, but in the sweetness of Christ himself.
And I will say, Christ has become the biggest blessing in my afflictions. So, if you are having a difficult day; if you are bewildered by pain, or wrestling, wondering which way to turn, or even if you’re worried about your future, take advice from 1 Peter 4, “commit yourself to your faithful creator and continue to do good.” Actually, when you think of it, it sounds a lot like Proverbs 3:6, “commit your way to the Lord and He will direct your path.” Once you commit your ways to God and trust Him with your future, there is no need to worry or wonder. Because Jesus, the Son of God, who died for you has, in that very act, proved Himself to be totally trustworthy. And Psalm 16 assures you that “He holds your lot;” that is, He holds your life and everything that is yours; He holds it all – past, present, and future in His hands.
So, take it from “the suffering lady.” If in a hard trial, you trust God and continue to do good, Christ is going to be everything to you. No pain – absolutely no problem – will be able to overwhelm the sweetness of knowing Jesus in your afflictions. And every trial you experience after that; it’ll only enhance that sweetness. Christ knows your every sorrow, He’s cognizant of every pang in your wounded heart. So, you who suffer according to the will of God today, commit yourself to your faithful creator and continue to do good.
SHAUNA: Oh, that is so true, Joni. Those who learn to trust Christ through suffering will know Him so much better. And we thank you, Joni, “the suffering lady” for giving us 1 Peter 4:19 today. It’s the way we share hope here at joniradio.org.
© Joni and Friends