Lent Midweek April 10, 2019 Surprised by the Joy of Suffering
Lent Midweek
Romans 5:1-5
April
10, 2019
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
This lesson tonight is very counterintuitive. Doesn’t make sense. Why would there be joy in suffering? Isn’t that the whole deal about suffering—it’s not enjoyable? Yes, but that’s exactly why it’s so surprising. We wouldn’t expect to find joy in suffering and so most of us try to avoid suffering at all costs. But when we do suffer as Christians, we discover the surprise that there’s joy hidden in there. Like a piece of candy hidden in an Easter egg. Like a sunny day hidden in the middle of winter. Like a call from a friend you haven’t heard from in a long time. In suffering, joy can jump out and surprise you.
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