“What I want you to appreciate is that the Bible is very clear that joy and suffering are not incompatible. In fact, the writer of Hebrews reminds us of Jesus’ perspective (Hebrews 12:2).”- Chip Ingram
“For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.”- Philippians 1:29-30 (ESV)
In Chapter 8 (“How to Realign Your Expectations”), the last chapter of I Choose Joy, Chip Ingram observes that two words, joy and suffering, rarely appear in the same sentence. Because most of us strongly associate joy with what makes us feel happy. And with positive circumstances. Hence, we deem the thought of joy in suffering a foreign concept.
Therefore, Chip takes a look at two great promises God has for all of us. He covers the first promise today.
1. The gift of suffering. Certainly, throughout Scripture God is presented as the Giver of good gifts. He’s our Savior, Healer, Deliverer, Comforter, Provider, and more. But, Chip advises, Scripture also sets us up for some surprising expectations. For example, in Philippians 1:29-30, the apostle Paul tells the believers in Philippi what they can expect from God.
First, Chip explains, the word granted (charizomai) comes from the familiar word for ‘grace’ (charis). In a literal sense, it means God has bestowed on us a privilege. The gift of not only believing in Jesus but also of suffering for His sake.
In conclusion, Pastor Ingram exhorts:
“We might not think of suffering as a gift, and the Philippians probably didn’t either. But in keeping with the theme of citizenship, which many of Philippi’s residents enjoyed by virtue of the city’s status as a Roman colony, citizens of God’s kingdom also have certain privileges and responsibilities. And believing in Jesus and suffering for the sake of Jesus are two of them. They are both privileges and responsibilities.”
Today’s question: Do you see joy and suffering as compatible? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: Persecution as a privilege?”