Joy Through Suffering

Throughout our lives, we will inevitably see a great deal of suffering, whether it be a person fighting for his life, a couple considering divorce or a single mother trying to keep food on the table for her children. As Christians, we are not free from life's struggles, but have Help through all hard times (Matthew 11:28-29, Isaiah 40:29-31).

While I have not read Rhonda Byrne's book The Secret (and do not intend to), from what I've gleaned from reviews and friends, I believe she has a good point, at least in theory. The "secret" she shares is living a life of joy through your attitude. Her book is not written from a Christian perspective, but is written with a Godly attitude, in my opinion.

Last week, I watched Ben Breedlove's video that has recently gone viral over the internet. In his 18 years of life, Ben learned more than many of us ever will. Although he was born with a very serious heart condition, he lived a life filled with joy. As you watch the video, you will learn that the experiences in which he "cheated death" didn't scare him, but gave him hope for the future, whatever and wherever that may be. At the age of 4, he saw "the bright light" and even in his innocence, recognized the presence of God. He made this video a week before he passed away. While his family and friends are obviously suffering from their loss, through this video, it is obvious that Ben is happy where he is and he was very satisfied with the things he accomplished in his short life.



When I think of someone living a life of joy, I immediately think of Ed Horn. No, you probably don't know him and you haven't heard his story. I never had the privilege of meeting Ed, but he has long been an inspiration in my life. He is the late husband of my dear friend, Kelley. Ed suffered from anaplastic large cell lymphoma in leukemic phase (I think that's right- I always mess that up) and his health declined rapidly. He spent the majority of his last months on Earth in the hospital, but his faith in God and the joy in the life God had given him was unwavering. There are two things I remember vividly from his journey to Heaven: on their anniversary, Ed and Kelley danced in the hospital, and after he passed, Kelley found he had written in His Bible that God held his cancer in His hands. I can only imagine the pain Ed felt, both physically and emotionally, but he always had a beaming smile on his face and spoke to so many people through that smile.


A few years ago, after praying for circumstances in my life, I realized that I was no longer living a life of joy; my overflowing glass had become half-empty. I began praying that God would break through the shell around my heart so I could once again live a life like Ed and Ben. I wanted to feel God's joy, no matter the circumstance. As God began to reveal Himself to me, I found myself more willing to open up my heart to Him. He began to mold me and to change my heart and my attitude... and I found joy again. Once again, I learned to fully rely on God and began to see Him in everything- from the geese that held up traffic as they slowly waddled across 280 to the purple flowers budding in trees. I saw God on the faces of the women at the shelter and in the stripes of the zebras at the zoo. When you ask God to reveal himself, He does just that!

In hindsight, I can see God's hand in the struggle. What once was misery is now one of the greatest learning experiences of my life. Not only did I see the things I was doing to fail God and really, myself by allowing Satan to rob just one minute of joy, but I also learned that God was there with every step, even if I wasn't willing to acknowledge Him.

In saying all of this, I'm not trying to portray a Mary Poppins type life; I have days where I fall apart. Some days, it's as simple as the house smelling funny because the trash didn't go out. Others, I have real problems, like my cousin and lifelong partner in crime in ICU, nearly paralyzed. The difference between then and now is how I handle those things.

As Christians, we have a choice in every situation. We can let Satan exchange that minute of joy for a moment of heartache or we can have hope that God's got everything under control. As for me, I want my hope to make me glad. I want to find my joy, even in suffering.

Romans 12:12 Let your hope make you glad. Be patient in time of trouble and never stop praying.

Proverbs 10:28 The hope of the righteous brings joy, but the expectation of the wicked will perish.