I wanted Pop-Tarts for breakfast, but I had a problem. The Pop-Tarts were kept on top of the refrigerator along with all the breakfast cereal and I couldn’t reach them. No one was home to help me, but the box was near the front so maybe, just maybe, I could figure out a way to get them. I stood up out of my wheelchair and leaned against the refrigerator for balance. Reaching up, I stretched my arms as far as I could, but I couldn’t even touch the box. So I figured it was time to get my grabber tool that helps me get things that are out of my reach. But it didn’t quite work. This time as I tried to maneuver my arm up toward the elusive box of Pop-Tarts, the added weight of my grabber made it difficult for me to raise it high enough. I plopped back down in my wheelchair. I was tired of the struggle. In fact, I was so upset I actually cried in frustration. Let me clarify. It wasn’t the lack of Pop-Tarts that was upsetting me, it was my lack of ability. Things I used to be able to do I no longer can. As my hands and arms have weakened and lost some mobility, my way of life has changed and it isn’t always easy. So on this particular morning I gave in to the struggle. But as I sat there venting my frustration by sobbing, I heard a little voice in my head say, “Is this helping?” And when I admitted to myself that it wasn’t, just like that the frustration and self-pity were gone! And I had to smile at my own foolishness. I realized some years ago that frustration doesn’t help the situation, it only makes me unhappy. But sometimes I forget!

Recently I came across this thought provoking question:

In this season of difficulty, are you wasting your suffering? –from Seasons of the Woman’s Heart

What kind of question is that?! What does it mean? I understand the concept of wasting time and wasting money and wasting food, but what does it mean to waste suffering? To waste something means that we are not using something properly. It implies that the thing being wasted has value and a purpose. And there it is! Suffering has purpose. And this is part of the struggle we have with suffering. We don’t always understand the reason behind it, and we ask the question, “Why?” How is it even possible that something so hard, so painful, so devastating can have a beneficial purpose?

The Bible reveals several reasons for our suffering. It might be God seeking to get our attention and to draw us to Himself. Sometimes it is God working to improve our character or to build up our faith. The purpose may be to use us to touch someone else’s life or to bring God glory. But the real struggle with suffering isn’t about discovering the cause or the reason. The more urgent question is how will we respond to it. Will we be victorious in our suffering?

The whining, murmuring pang never does anybody any good. –from Streams in the Desert

I am reminded of Joni Eareckson Tada, well-known quadriplegic, who has touched thousands not just with her testimony and talent, but also with her delightful demeanor and dedication to the Lord. Then there is Nick Vujicic, a preacher without arms or legs, who inspires many with his courage and humor. Evangelist Dorsey Ross, born with Apert Syndrome, encourages others to “overcome life’s obstacles”. These are just a few examples of what victorious suffering can accomplish!

The Bible instructs us to respond to our suffering with joy. We cringe at the thought! It doesn’t seem logical or possible. Not only does Scripture tell us to “rejoice always” and “in everything give thanks”, it also says this:

Dear brothers and sisters,when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. –James 1:2 (NLT)

Perhaps one reason we are to respond with joy is because the Bible encourages us in Nehemiah 8:10 by declaring, “the joy of the Lord is your strength”!

Amid manifold trials, souls which love God will find reasons for bounding, leaping joy. –from Streams in the Desert.

Does this mean we are always happy? No. Does it mean we never battle our emotions and struggle with frustration? No. (Remember my ordeal with the Pop-Tarts!) But it does mean we can reach up to God and tap into the joy we find in Him!

We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. –2 Corinthians 4:8,9 (NLT)

(In case you are wondering…I did have my Pop-Tarts the next morning when my daughter was there to get them down for me! Not a very healthy breakfast, I know, but I was quite happy.)

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