Finding Joy and Hope in Suffering
Summary
In this heartfelt sharing, I reflect on the profound journey of finding joy amidst suffering, drawing from personal experiences and the lives of others who have faced immense challenges. Thirty-three years ago, I found myself in a hospital, paralyzed and overwhelmed with despair. In those dark nights, I turned to singing hymns, pleading with Jesus not to pass me by, much like the paralyzed man at the Pool of Bethesda. Despite my prayers for physical healing, I came to understand that my true healing was spiritual, as I was invited into the fellowship of sharing in Christ's sufferings.
Through this journey, I discovered that joy is not the absence of suffering but the presence of God in the midst of it. This joy is a torrent that floods the heart, transforming pain into praise and weakness into strength. I have witnessed this transformation in others, like my friend Carla, who despite losing her legs and facing numerous health challenges, radiates the joy of the Lord. Her life, like mine, is a testament to the power of God's grace in our weakness.
I also recount the stories of Ama from Ghana, who finds joy in her need for God, and Charlie Wedemeyer, who, despite his battle with Lou Gehrig's disease, offers a sacrifice of praise. These individuals, along with Wayne, a homeless friend, teach us that God's love takes the initiative, reaching out even when there is no return. Their lives remind us that suffering is an opportunity to showcase God's power and love to an unbelieving world.
In embracing our afflictions, we are drawn closer to the heart of Christ, experiencing His joy and hope. This hope is not just for this life but for the life to come, where we eagerly await the transformation of our lowly bodies to be like His glorious body. Until that day, we are called to make our nest near the altar, embracing the cross of Christ, where sacrifice and service meet.
Key Takeaways:
- Joy in Suffering: True joy is found not in the absence of suffering but in the presence of God amidst it. This joy transforms our pain into praise and our weakness into strength, as we lean on Christ and experience His grace. [05:59]
- The Fellowship of Suffering: Sharing in Christ's sufferings is a privilege that deepens our relationship with Him. It is through this fellowship that we become more like Him, dying to sins and experiencing the sweetness of His presence. [05:19]
- The Power of Weakness: God's power is made perfect in our weakness. When we embrace our limitations and rely on His strength, we become vessels of His grace, showcasing His glory to the world. [09:32]
- Love Takes the Initiative: God's love reaches out even when there is no return. We are called to love others as Christ loved us, taking the initiative to serve and give without expecting anything in return. [34:10]
- Hope of Heaven: Our suffering points us to the hope of heaven, where our bodies will be transformed to be like Christ's glorious body. This hope sustains us, reminding us that our present afflictions are temporary and preparing us for eternal joy. [38:10]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:19] - Introduction and Gratitude
- [00:46] - Singing on the Airplane
- [01:09] - Dark Days in the Hospital
- [02:28] - The Pool of Bethesda
- [04:12] - A Journey of Spiritual Healing
- [05:19] - Sharing in Christ's Sufferings
- [06:34] - Joy in the Midst of Problems
- [07:39] - Carla's Story
- [09:32] - The Body of Christ in Action
- [11:25] - Boasting in Afflictions
- [13:01] - Daily Dependence on God
- [14:58] - Ama's Joy in Ghana
- [19:49] - The Fellowship of Suffering
- [25:46] - Serving and Being Served
- [31:18] - Loving Without Expectation
- [38:10] - The Hope of Heaven
- [49:23] - The Pool of Bethesda Revisited
- [54:01] - Making Our Nest Near the Altar
- [55:12] - Closing Blessing
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. John 5:1-9
2. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
3. Romans 5:8
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Observation Questions:
1. In John 5:1-9, what was the condition of the man at the Pool of Bethesda, and what did Jesus ask him? How does this relate to the speaker's personal experience? [02:28]
2. How does the speaker describe the transformation of their suffering into joy, and what role does the presence of God play in this transformation? [05:59]
3. What examples from the sermon illustrate the concept of God's power being made perfect in weakness? [09:32]
4. How does the speaker describe the initiative of God's love, and what examples are given to illustrate this point? [34:10]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the story of the man at the Pool of Bethesda in John 5:1-9 illustrate the concept of spiritual healing over physical healing? What does this suggest about the priorities of Jesus' ministry? [04:12]
2. In what ways does the speaker's experience of joy amidst suffering challenge common perceptions of happiness and fulfillment? [06:34]
3. How does the speaker's relationship with individuals like Carla and Ama deepen their understanding of the fellowship of suffering? What does this suggest about the communal aspect of faith? [19:49]
4. How does the speaker's interaction with Wayne illustrate the concept of love taking the initiative? What does this teach about the nature of Christian service and outreach? [34:10]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced suffering. How did you seek God's presence during that time, and what was the outcome? How might you approach similar situations differently in the future? [05:59]
2. The speaker talks about the joy found in the fellowship of suffering. How can you cultivate a community that supports each other through difficult times? What practical steps can you take to be more present for others in their suffering? [19:49]
3. Consider the concept of God's power being made perfect in weakness. What personal weaknesses do you struggle with, and how can you invite God to work through them? [09:32]
4. The speaker emphasizes the importance of love taking the initiative. Identify someone in your life who might feel overlooked or unloved. What specific actions can you take this week to reach out to them without expecting anything in return? [34:10]
5. Reflect on the hope of heaven as described in the sermon. How does this hope influence your daily life and decisions? What changes can you make to live more in light of this eternal perspective? [38:10]
6. The speaker mentions the importance of making one's nest near the altar, embracing sacrifice and service. What sacrifices are you currently making in your life, and how do they align with your faith? How can you embrace this concept more fully? [54:01]
7. How can you incorporate the practice of offering a "sacrifice of praise" in your daily routine, especially during challenging times? What specific praise or gratitude can you offer to God today? [27:50]
Devotional
Day 1: Joy in God's Presence Amidst Suffering
In the midst of suffering, joy is not the absence of pain but the presence of God. This joy is transformative, turning our pain into praise and our weakness into strength. When we lean on Christ, we experience His grace, which floods our hearts with a torrent of joy. This joy is evident in the lives of those who have faced immense challenges yet radiate the joy of the Lord. Their lives are a testament to the power of God's grace in our weakness. [05:59]
"Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation." (Habakkuk 3:17-18, ESV)
Reflection: In what area of your life are you currently experiencing suffering, and how can you invite God's presence into that space to transform your pain into praise today?
Day 2: The Privilege of Sharing in Christ's Sufferings
Sharing in Christ's sufferings is a profound privilege that deepens our relationship with Him. Through this fellowship, we become more like Him, dying to our sins and experiencing the sweetness of His presence. This journey of spiritual healing invites us into a deeper understanding of His love and grace, as we are drawn closer to His heart. [05:19]
"For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps." (1 Peter 2:21, ESV)
Reflection: How can you embrace the challenges you face as an opportunity to share in Christ's sufferings and grow closer to Him today?
Day 3: Embracing Weakness to Showcase God's Power
God's power is made perfect in our weakness. When we embrace our limitations and rely on His strength, we become vessels of His grace, showcasing His glory to the world. This transformation is evident in the lives of those who, despite their challenges, radiate the joy and strength of the Lord. [09:32]
"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Corinthians 12:9, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of weakness in your life where you can invite God's strength to be made perfect today?
Day 4: Love That Takes the Initiative
God's love reaches out even when there is no return. We are called to love others as Christ loved us, taking the initiative to serve and give without expecting anything in return. This selfless love is a powerful testimony to an unbelieving world, showcasing the depth of God's love and grace. [34:10]
"By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers." (1 John 3:16, ESV)
Reflection: Who is someone in your life that you can show love to today without expecting anything in return, and how can you take the initiative to serve them?
Day 5: The Hope of Heaven
Our suffering points us to the hope of heaven, where our bodies will be transformed to be like Christ's glorious body. This hope sustains us, reminding us that our present afflictions are temporary and preparing us for eternal joy. As we embrace the cross of Christ, we eagerly await the transformation that is to come. [38:10]
"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." (Romans 8:18, ESV)
Reflection: How does the hope of heaven change your perspective on your current struggles, and how can you live today in light of this eternal hope?
Quotes
"Through this journey, I discovered that joy is not the absence of suffering but the presence of God in the midst of it. This joy is a torrent that floods the heart, transforming pain into praise and weakness into strength. I have witnessed this transformation in others, like my friend Carla, who despite losing her legs and facing numerous health challenges, radiates the joy of the Lord." [00:06:34]
"I began to smile, not in spite of my problems, but lo and behold, even because of them. What a miracle! Talk about upsetting my world and the world of others around me as they observed the loyalty that this young girl, quadriplegic, placed in her God. Surely, her God must be great to inspire that kind of confidence." [00:06:34]
"Believers like Carla remind us that if the grace of God can sustain her, a woman with no legs and a borrowed kidney, then we all ought to be boasting in our afflictions. We all ought to be rejoicing in our limitations. We all ought to be delighting in our afflictions because then we know too that God's power can sustain us." [00:11:25]
"God is against the proud, the self-resourceful, the self-reliant, and He gives grace to the humble; yeah, even those who are humiliated by their weaknesses. This is why we boast then, right? For we know then that God's power rests on us, and when it does, oh, the joy of Jesus!" [00:14:58]
"God always seems bigger to those who need Him most, and these people need Him so much. Isn't that wonderful? I saw in Ama the same shine and sheen that I recognized from Carla's face, that sheen of 2 Corinthians chapter 6 verse 10, 'to be "sorrowful, yet always rejoicing, to have nothing," nothing, "and yet possess everything."'" [00:19:49]
"God is glorified and the joy of Jesus is magnified when our boasting is nullified. How else is God glorified? When else do we sense that joy, that spilling splashing over joy, over heaven's walls, filling our hearts, rushing up in an ecstatic praise of God?" [00:25:46]
"The love of Christ does not wait around for you and I to get all clean and tidy, to get all fresh and washed up. No, love doesn’t wait for us to make an apology before it gives itself to us; 'While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.'" [00:34:10]
"The point is to keep loving, keep giving, keep serving. The love of God takes the initiative. The love of God doesn't wait for a return. The love of God doesn't expect a payback. The love of God doesn't even hope for an apology. For 'while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.'" [00:34:10]
"When you hang around people who experience affliction gracefully, the hope of heaven begins to rub off on you and you too find yourself 'eagerly awaiting a Savior from heaven, the Lord Jesus Christ, who by His power will transform our lowly bodies to be like His glorious body.'" [00:38:10]
"Thank You that You have given me a buoyant hope of heaven in this wheelchair and You have given me the chance to experience grace upon grace upon grace every day. That I need You desperately is such a blessing. Oh, it's a bruising of a blessing. It is a severe mercy, but it is a mercy and it is sweet, and You are precious." [00:49:23]
"And I thank God for that present reminder that all of us make our nest near the altar, the cross of Christ, a place of sacrifice and blood and pain. And as the church of Jesus Christ exercises its muscles, embracing those who suffer, it rises to its calling. It boasts in its affliction. It welcomes trials as friends." [00:54:01]
"Bruised reeds become tall strong oaks and smoldering wicks ignite, strike the match, and set afire the passion of the Lord Jesus in the hearts of us all. God bless you, and thank you for listening." [00:55:12]
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