Amber was recently lamenting that the triple digit temperatures we had “enjoyed” here in Texas broke just one day short of breaking the record for consecutive 100+ degree temperatures. This year we tied the record at 41 days. She decided that if we broke the record then the days of extreme heat would be “worth it”.  As amusing as this perspective may be, this is how we approach a lot of our suffering.

“As long and our suffering accomplishes something new or improved it is worth it.”

I am a competitive person so I can easily embrace suffering if it is going to lead to some big breakthrough or new accomplishment. It seems however that more often it is hard to see what our suffering is accomplishing and we wonder if anything good will come out of it. I, for example, wonder why our house in Missouri has still not sold, what is being accomplished by us paying rent in Texas and a mortgage in Missouri along with utilities for each. I have friends who are wondering why their marriages are strained or in some cases ending and others are dealing with losing jobs they have had for years.

I know that the suffering I am talking about here does not even come close to comparing to the suffering others are facing for their faith around the world. I know that people are making choices about whether to pay a bill or feed their children. I know that things could be worse. But I do not find much comfort in remembering that others are suffering even more than I am. What kind of person would I be if I felt better because other people were doing worse?

I believe the truth is that all our suffering is accomplishing something. James invites us to have Kingdom minded suffering.

“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. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.” James 1:2-11

Kingdom minded suffering compels us to embrace suffering when it comes. We are challenged to approach suffering by seeking wisdom so we can navigate suffering rightly. We can press on in faith knowing that we have God on our side equipping us for the circumstances we face. And we can be confident God is doing something with that suffering…every time.