When Suffering Is In Season

In the air, there’s a feeling of Christmas, but sometimes the reality of our lives don’t lend themselves to such a light-hearted, nostalgic feeling. This blog is for those who may be enduring something this holiday season.

We know when the holiday season is coming every year, but we don’t always know when a crisis is going to invade our lives. I’m not speaking to the self-inflicted crisis where a victim mentality springs forth. I’m talking to those walking in Christ and living for Him, but trouble comes. Jesus Himself said to His followers in John 16:33, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Recently, some trouble entered my life. It was a reminder of my need to stay dependent on my Savior and to trust in Him at all times. Seeking comfort, I decided to sit down and find some verses to support me and give me spiritual sanity. I hope they will assist you if you travel in uncertainty and angst today.

• Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance…Romans 5:3
• Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. James 1:2-3
• …so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father…

Colossians 1:10-11

All these verses reminded me that my suffering has a purpose.

Suffering produces perseverance.

Suffering produces peace and strength.

Suffering invites God’s inexhaustible power.

Totally contrary to my flesh and what the devil would desire, I can joyfully give thanks to God for the trial.

This is all supernatural. But it does not guarantee all angst to be gone. Enduring and persevering have elements of difficulty within them.
We can’t schedule our trials. If one is in your life this Christmas, keep your focus on Jesus and cling to Him.

Sovereign God, you control all the circumstances in my life. I need you this season to give me wisdom through my trials. Even though the holidays are here, I still have a real life, and I need you to be the lifter of my head. Please help me to keep turning to you, even when it’s hard. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

• Valerie Rumfelt is an on-mission writer, sharing winning ways to follow Jesus
• She and her husband, Clark, formerly served with the NAMB and have been church planters in Canada and Rhode Island and were the Executive Directors for Buried Treasures Home
• They will be serving with the IMB in Japan and working as a part of Southern Baptist efforts to be a light among the many people living in darkness.
• You can follow Valerie’s blogs on valerierumfelt.com