Tough times comes to us all, at one point or another. We would rather it didn’t. We wish we were immune to suffering and difficulties. If only we could just turn the channels of our lives than have to walk the path of suffering. Yet it is often in the crucibles of deep trials and suffering that we see what truly sustains us. Only when tested can we know whether our faith will sustain us. The question is not whether sufferings will come. The question is what will we do with them when they do come? How will we respond to the cold, harsh gale force winds that bring us to our knees?

Some will choose the path of grumbling and complaining about their lot in life. Shakespeare says that it is not difficult to bear other people’s toothache; but when one’s own jaw is throbbing, that is another matter. I personally think that one of the hardest habits to change is the habit of perpetual grumbling and complaining. Even though we know the admonitions of “do not grumble or complain”, we find ourselves giving way to it when under pressure or just plain annoyed, annoyed at our suffering and our lot in life.

Some will simply give up the faith. “This is too hard”. “Hasn’t God promised an easier path for me?” “If He really cared why would He allow this to happen to me?” and the list goes on ad nauseum. They prove to be “fair weather” believers, or as Bonhoeffer calls it, “cheap grace” religious practitioners. As long as the path is easy they will sing the praises of the Lord but when life becomes difficult, they quit. Yet as the great preacher Samuel Rutherford said, “Grace grows best in winter”.

We cannot escape the inevitabilities of life, suffering comes to us all. The uncertainties of life, the frailties of human nature, the difficulties of circumstances will bring to us things we may not have chosen but are with us nonetheless. So how should we move forward, because that really is the only healthy chose? You can quit. You can grumble your way through life. Or as James aptly tells us, “Is anyone among you suffering, let him pray” (13).

Prayer is not a crutch for “weak-minded people”, the opiate of those who cannot manage life for themselves. Prayer places its trust in the certainty of unfailing love; in hope of unchanging grace; in rest of unending promises; in confidence of eternal blessings.

James reminds us that when things are great and flowing your way, sing. When the trials of life find expression through suffering, pray (13).

Your faith will be tested. How will you respond: grumble and blame God; quit when life gets hard?  Will your faith hold you, even in the crucibles of suffering?

“You people in the sunshine may believe the faith,” Gossip said, “but we in the shadow must believe it. We have nothing else”.

Blessings!