Rejoicing in the Midst of Suffering

Over the past several weeks, I have spoken with several of our members, I have heard multiple prayer requests and I have seen tears flowing down suffering faces. People have lost loved ones, people have found out they have illnesses, some have wayward children and family members, many have issues with their spouses and marriages and all of these things reveal a single reality: there is real suffering among us.

When we are in the midst of suffering, our first response, and often the attitude that grows if our suffering lasts longer than a few days, is to abandon the possibility of joy and doubt the goodness of God. If it is true that the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever, how is this possible in the midst of suffering?

In Romans 5, the Apostle Paul begins with some of the most joyful words…