“Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray…” (James 5:13a)
James provides simple and straightforward instructions: “If you are suffering, pray!” When you go through suffering, go to God.
It makes sense to go to God because He is the One who made us and knows us. If you own a Mac computer and your computer breaks down, you don’t talk to the Windows guy; you talk to the Apple guy because Apple is the one who made it and knows it.
So where do you go when you “break down?” Go to the One who made you and knows you. Talk to God.
Here’s an important qualifier: James does not say you are guaranteed to stop suffering when you go to God. He does not teach that. Suffering through trials is often good for Christians because it helps them grow. You’ll recall that truth from the opening verses of the letter:
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience (or endurance). But let endurance have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
James 1:2-4
Suffering is a means God often uses in the Christian’s life to make the Christian more like Jesus. God may work through our suffering to remove unhelpful impurities in our lives, worldliness, for example.
Talk to God when suffering.
As someone taught me years ago, when you suffer, try not to ask God, “Why?” but rather ask Him, “What?” As in…
What are you teaching me, God?
What are you trying to show me through my suffering?
What lessons would you like me to learn?
What are you doing right now to make me more like Jesus?
**Excerpt from You’re Either Walking The Walk Or Just Running Your Mouth (Preaching Truth: 2020), pages 189-190, available in all formats here.
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