My brethren, count it all joy - Which is the highest degree of patience, and contains all the rest. (John Wesley)
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. (James 1:2 NLT)
This is a verse that will never make sense until you are standing neck-deep in yogurt while sensing that there may not be fruit at the bottom of the cup! His Grace comes according to our need. When the wind blows hard His love says within our heart, "peace be still." Our eyes see only the way ahead but His eyes see all eternity. How then can my trust in His plans be held in contempt. Have I suffered like unto Job? Was it not in the midst of terrible suffering that he did say, "Though He slay me, I will hope in Him." Job 13:15 NASB95
I have often pondered the words from the lips of the Apostle Paul in Philippians 3:10:
"My aim is to know him, to experience the power of his resurrection, to share in his sufferings, and to be like him in his death," (Philippians 3:10 NET)
How could one wish for an experiential knowledge of such suffering? What would be the motivation that would cause one to think this thought? Perhaps the clue is illuminated in one of the preceding verses:
More than that, I now regard all things as liabilities compared to the far greater value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things — indeed, I regard them as dung! — that I may gain Christ, (Philippians 3:8 NET)
Paul had already suffered the loss of all things and had been blessed with the abundance of Christ's Grace. He knew from experience that the intimacy of this relationship was far more wonderful than any temporal joy or pleasure. Therefore, let us be patient to experience the journey day by day hoping that we will be able to relish each moment and drink in each drop. Let us be prepared for the eternal appointments and ready to confess our frailty and failures (for they will be many). But where our sin abounds, His Grace super abounds.