Rejoice, My Dear

I thought about this today:

Ron Weasley says to Harry in Divination class:

"You're gonna suffer...but you're gonna be happy about it."

I used to laugh at that, because Ron says it awkwardly and is in disbelief that there can be any good that comes from suffering. And I thought along the same lines as him.

But what he says is true. There's so much good that comes from suffering. I guess I'm finally beginning to see the full show in a front row seat.

When chaos comes in my head, and nothing seems to settle it sometimes, or life situations continue to change, become harder, or seem like they aren't making much progress, God is a giver of peace to the internal and external suffering. That's part of His being: Peace.

However, sometimes God doesn't provide peace right when we think we need it. He lets us hold out,  and has us endure the suffering for a little while longer until His timing comes in perfectly -- exposing Himself as the only One we need.

It's easy to run away from the suffering. From the pain, the struggles, the insecurities, and even the people we love, just to see who comes running after us. It's easier to crawl in a hole and avoid it altogether. But God calls us to rejoice while we suffer.

I get confused with this, because I think rejoicing is similar to happiness sometimes. I'll think that in order to rejoice through suffering, I need to smile, I need to laugh and be with good people and do good things and earn my grace. When really, I end up clinging to all the wrong things that substitute God's place in my heart. I'm wrong about rejoicing. I think when God calls us to rejoice through the struggles we endure, He wants us to run to Him believing He can deliver, forgive, comfort, and love.

I know that I consistently fail The Lord everyday, but His grace is sufficient enough to carry us home.

And so I just want to run rejoicing.


love, cait