“Not that I speak in respect of want, for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” (Phil. 4:11) I would like to pose a question to you, one I believe that very few Christians today understand, at least in areas where our Lord has not allowed persecution to yet arrive in some of its fullest forms, a question that seems to be based around circumstances and the perception of what a life lived for Christ means.
In these areas of persecution, survival is sought after, escaping from those who would imprison, torture and kill us for our faith, these trials are expected, for they have been promised to the faithful few, they are not anticipated with happiness but with the knowledge of the joy of the Lord, these that are truly those who have learned to be content in whatever state that the Lord places them in. Ask them if they are happy with the tribulations and the answer would most likely be “no,” ask them if they still retain their joy of the Lord and you will hear a resounding “yes” from each and every one of them.
I get in a type of funk, if you will, occasionally, frustration sets in and nothing my beautiful wife tries can pull me out of it, it is all-consuming for a period of time, it is expected, but not with anticipation. The daily, continuous grind of going to the workplace for money, knowing full well that all that is required of me while I am there has no eternal value whatsoever, that it will be burned up in the end can get to me more some days than others. Those whom the wrath of God is abiding on (John 3:36) that I work around drains me, their complete lack of interest in the Truths of the Words of God is a burden to me, for I know their end if they die in their sins, the continuously growing evil around the world is expected, yet saddens me more each day, for I know what is coming upon it, even these I meet who claim to know Christ as Savior, but do not live a life in accordance to His will, who still seek the pleasures of this world for their enjoyment, the frustration level runs deep within me sometimes, and it is a great credit to my lovely wife that she can put up with me at these times, for I am not a happy person when these days come upon me.
But am I supposed to be happy, is my happiness supposed to be full, or my joy, (John 16:24) did Christ die for me so that I could be happy, or that I might have life more abundant, was our Lord’s life one filled with happiness and fun, or was He a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief? (Isaiah 53:3) Set a task before yourself, try to find in the Scriptures where either the prophets or apostles were happy, where life was wonderful, great, couldn’t be better, everything is rosy and happy all the time, you might want to set aside some extra time, because you’re going to be looking for a while. Content is not happy, the joy of the Lord is not happy, Christ didn’t die so you could be happy.
These are the times when I want to quit, when I do not see the purpose, the end result, as it were, seems so far away and I would much rather just agree with Jeremiah, “Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.” (Jer. 20:9) My patience works hope, but that patience is so difficult sometimes, it can be so hard to not just watch the world burn, but to watch the majority of mankind watch it burn, standing there in apathy, wondering if they remembered to set the alarm clock so that they can get up in the morning to go make more stuff for the fire to come. The days that I must do the same makes me wonder what it is all for, the lost won’t listen, some who call themselves Christians have become apathetic, evil is abounding, and we all keep making more kindling for the fire.
I have not lost my joy of the Lord, in fact in these times it seems to grow at a rate that astounds me, but because I do not put on a happy face, because my demeanor or words do not portray what the world and even other Christians see in me, what they falsely believe the characteristics of what a child of God should be, they mistakenly see me as doubting in my faith, when in fact it is just the opposite, they see me as pessimistic, and all others like me, for we have been shown the truth that they hide themselves from, and for those who have been shown this truth, we know an optimism that they can only dream of. The world is in a downward spiral, and we are to comfort each other with words of truth. (1 Thess. 4:18) The apostacy has arrived, “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;” (1st Tim 4:1) evil is abounding, and we find joy in it, for it means the return of our Lord.
Happiness is not joy, happiness is the world’s cheap
imitation of the joy of the Lord, and if you are growing in the grace and
knowledge of our Lord, you will also notice a growing frustration within
yourself, and if the Lord God blesses you so, you also will be acquainted with
grief, and become a man of sorrow. You will hurt for a hurting world, you will
feel pain for those who will know eternal pain, you will sorrow for those who
have decided to remain weaker brothers, and you will hate evil with your entire
being. And you will be more than frustrated somedays, because all you can do is
watch it happen, watch as they throw more kindling on the fire, watch as you do
the same Monday thru Friday, nine-to-five.
I escape when I read the Scriptures, I escape when my loving wife allows me to
vent, and still respects me when I do, I escape in these letters to you that He
has blessed me to write. But I know full well that at these times my suffering
is nothing compared to others, that what I am called to do I am compelled to
do, I am consumed by it, for I know in my heart that it is for His glory,
whether I can see the end result or not is immaterial, His glory is sufficient
for me today. Thorns in the side do not make us happy, they make us humble.
Please forgive me for laying so much upon you today, perhaps I was just
venting, but I would sincerely hope that if you are experiencing these same
types of tribulations, that this letter was encouraging to you.
Remember your fellow servants who are suffering, just as if you are suffering with them, (Heb. 13:3) and know that our redemption draws nigh. (Luke 21:28) Patience and perseverance my friends, these are the keys, don’t try to be happy, do not pretend to be when you’re not, seek for the joy of the Lord, there lays the only true rest for your soul.