Defined, suffering is pain that is caused by injury, illness, loss, etc. : physical, mental, or emotional pain. So there are many ways to suffer. As I read the commonly quoted James passage about suffering from Eugene Peterson’s paraphrase, his explanation is clear. James is expounding on the virtues of growth that can happen in all of us, if we allow it, through all the experiences in life that challenge us. That is the “gift”. But it is sometimes hard to remember when you are in the middle of this unbalance in your life.

I have a friend who is deeply suffering emotionally and all I can do at the moment is pray for her. Is this a gift, I ask God? And I know God will use this to help her. We just don’t see how in our limited human thinking to know just HOW God will use it…but he will. And when we reach the end of the suffering, it will be a gift of growth, growing more in love with Jesus and the gift of maturity to help someone else going through similar suffering in their journey. So, yes, consider a gift my dear friends, even when you are in the middle of things. Instead of why me, ask how will this help me to grow closer to You, dear Savior? What will I learn? How can You use this for your glory? 

“Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.” James 1, Msg

Whatever God is allowing you to go through today, know that God will never leave to go through it alone. Trust Him. He has your best interest at heart. He knows your name. He loved you before you were even born. What encouragement to know that…what peace, sweet peace in knowing and believing and living that good news.

Dear Heavenly Father, Comfort those who are suffering. Be gentle as you teach all of us through our times of suffering. Don’t let us forget your love for us. And help us see challenges, through your eyes, as gifts, In Jesus Name, Amen