We all come to the point sooner or later when times get tough. We come up against relationship problems, financial problems, work problems, health problems, etc., etc. How we handle these things makes all the difference. Will we quit or will we go on? Will we be defeated or will we triumph?
Surely William Carey must have asked that question. Two hundred years ago, he had established his work, especially his Bible translation work, in India; and at one point, when he was away from home, his printing room went up in flames. The result of years of work was gone: ten translations of the Bible into local languages, a complete Sanskrit dictionary, part of his Bengali dictionary, and two grammar books. In addition, he lost the type sets for printing fourteen different languages, large quantities of English paper, and many other books and documents. This is the situation he faced on returning home.
After a short time of mourning, the work was begun again and Carey wrote these words: “The loss is heavy, but as traveling a road the second time is usually done with greater ease than the first time, so I trust the work will lose nothing of real value. We are not discouraged; indeed the work is already begun again in every language. We are cast down but not in despair.”
The Apostle Paul, writing under the inspiration of the Spirit, tells us that suffering produces perseverance, and perhaps that’s the only way we can acquire it. Helen Keller seems to agree when she writes, “Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.”
If you are not suffering now, you will. In this world, you can count on it. It may be extremely difficult to get to the level of the apostle’s faith expressed in the words, “We also glory in our suffering”; but when we ask how he got to that point, we find his answer: “We know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” He saw that suffering can be purposeful. God does not waste suffering; He uses it.
We know that Paul’s sufferings resulted from persecution, but here he does not make that distinction. The cause of the suffering does not seem to matter. Regardless of the cause of our suffering, “God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”
Of course, while we go through difficult times, we are not without hope. We can turn to our suffering Savior, as the words of an old song encourage us to do:
I must tell Jesus all of my trials;
I cannot bear these burdens alone;
In my distress He kindly will help me;
He ever loves and cares for His own.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for coming into our troubled world to share our sufferings. Thank you for setting an example for us. When I face any trouble or suffering, help me to handle it in a godly way, to understand You have a purpose in these things for me. Give me the strength not to quit.
Author: Lindsay Hislop was raised in southern Scotland and southern Ontario and now lives in the southern United States. He worked in the engineering field for 15 years (mostly in Canada) before pursuing an academic career. He has taught for over thirty years at Columbia International University. He also serves as an elder in his church, where he teaches and preaches regularly. He is married to a wonderful wife Pam and has two terrific children, Holly, who lives in Canada, and Doug, who lives in Columbia. His four grandchildren, Isaac, Madeline, Lindsay, and Dolan, are also pretty special. He likes doing carpentry and odd jobs around the house.
