Joy and Suffering

Another dimension to the biblical theme of joy is suffering.

This may come as a bit of a surprised to you. In Scripture, joy is linked to suffering. Joy is experienced not only in life’s happy moments; joy is also birthed out of suffering and out of our longing for restoration. Christian joy is realized in the midst of suffering.

In the Story of Jesus, joy, patient waiting, and suffering are linked. The Christ Event, which leads to the world’s greatest joy, is wrought with suffering and ends in the death of the Savior. And even amidst the joy of Jesus’ birth and infancy, there’s great pain and suffering as the tyrant Herod orders the slaughter of all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under.

Joy is also realized in the midst of the suffering of God’s people. Hear the words of the apostle Peter: “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you, to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share in Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when Christ’s glory is revealed” (1 Pt 4.12-13).

Remember that when Peter penned those words he was being persecuted for his faith and he was writing to Christians who were being persecuted for their faith. Peter encourages believers to rejoice in their sufferings, just as he does. And this is because the source of Christian joy is the risen Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit. In spite of life’s circumstances the Holy Spirit enables us to rejoice in the Lord and to glory in God’s promises. Our hope of resurrection life with Christ is enough to keep us full of hope and joy in the worst of times.

Christian joy doesn’t come and go with our circumstances. When things are going badly our joy doesn’t just vanish. Joy is a constant in the highs and lows of our life experience. God calls us to rejoice in our time of trial, for this is when we truly “share Christ’s sufferings” and experience the hope of the gospel. Our joy takes shape in the time of trial precisely because our joy is rooted in our relationship with the crucified Jesus and in our hope of resurrection life with him.

Joy is a distinctive mark and an abiding quality of our new life in Jesus Christ. Joy transcends our circumstances and endures beyond the grave. Regardless of what’s going on in, or around us, we “serve by the Spirit of God” (Phil. 3.3) by “rejoicing in the Lord always” (Phil. 4.4).

Consider the words of the poet Wendell Berry in his Manifesto: The Mad Farmer Liberation Front:

Listen to carrion – put your ear
close, and hear the faint chattering
of the songs that are to come.
Expect the end of the world. Laugh.
Laughter is immeasurable. Be joyful
though you have considered all the facts…
Practice resurrection.