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“But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed.”  I Peter 4:13 (NIV)

Ever wonder why oil and water don’t mix?  The molecules in oil don’t attract the molecules in water – simply put they can’t mix.

When we consider suffering, pain and loss in our lives, we have a hard time seeing how they could intermingle with joy. From our viewpoint, they don’t attract each other, just like oil and water.  From God’s viewpoint , they are inseparable.

Why?  The branch of suffering is intertwined with a vine of joy that stems from a deep root of trust in God.  Simply put, God’s design was for them to mix – to co-exist – because He is the vine and we are the branches.  Our vine will never disconnect from us, instead God draws in closer to the person who sacrificially trusts in Him.  And when we allow ourselves to draw near to Him, we find that His joy indwells  the empty, dark places of our soul. It is in this intimate connection of being poured out and filled up that we see the beauty of God’s sovereignty. We learn to breathe deep of His peace.  We realize that “joy” is a fruit of His spirit flourishing in us. We pick up our cross and carry it daily infused with the hope of the resurrection.

Though happy has left, real joy remains in those whose hearts are surrendered to the Father’s will. Overjoyed in the abundance of  knowing that the greater glory is always found in His plan, we shine as beacons of hope to a world desperately searching.

“Father, help us to exchange our fleeting happy for the gain of deeper joy found only in the crucible of suffering.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life