In Seasons of Suffering and Cheer
If you are writing a letter on the theme of practical Christian living – on what it is to live out real Christian faith – where do you finish? What is the final emphasis that you leave with your readers? For James, the answer to that question is simple; the answer is prayer. As James closes his letter, he emphasizes that Christians should be, above all, a people of prayer. He wants prayer to be the first instinct in every season in life – in every situation that arises. What is your first instinct when challenges or blessings arise? Perhaps you post the news on Twitter or Facebook. Perhaps you share the news with a friend. James provides relevant counsel that can help fine-tune our instincts in every season of life.
James first addresses those who suffer. He writes, “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray.” (James 5:13) James was writing into a situation where many within the church family were facing real trials. The believers were being oppressed by wealthy members of the community. It seems that wealthy landowners held back wages and used their influence in the courts to place pressure upon the believers, who it seems were generally less well off. There was real suffering involved in all this. Christians today face plenty of suffering as well. Societies are facing a pandemic. Wars rage. Christians are facing persecution. James teaches that the knee-jerk reaction of Christians who suffer should always be to take their suffering first to the Lord. Why is this so? The answer can be found in previous verses in which James counsels believers who come under pressure from unbelievers to be patient in the midst of suffering. Believers are to be patient precisely because the Lord is coming to deliver His people and judge His enemies. The Lord alone is our true source of hope and help.
Next, James addresses those who are cheerful. He writes, “Is anyone among you cheerful. Let him sing praises.” (James 5:13). What brings you cheer these days? Is a grandchild on the way? Is a career promotion at hand? What is your first instinct in the midst of such joyful events? Do you post the news on Instagram or YouTube? James teaches that, in cheerfulness, we also must first turn to God. When the Lord gives us cause to to be cheerful, we ought to turn to Him instinctively and praise Him. After all, the One who is ultimately responsible for our blessings is the Lord Himself. Others may have been His agents—others may have done His bidding in showing us kindness – but they have done so in service to Him, and in accordance with His will.
Now, of these two situations and seasons – suffering and cheer – we’re more likely to turn to the Lord in the first. We tend to cry to God for relief in suffering. When we have cause for joy – in success, or material provision, or relational happiness – we might thank the human agent. We might congratulate ourselves. But it is a matter of faith and maturity to remember that all these good gifts come from God, and then praise Him in song. This week, whatever season you find yourself in – suffering or cheer—it is a season to turn to God. In the famous words of Joseph Scriven, “What a friend we have in Jesus. All our sins and griefs to bear. And what a privilege to carry. Everything to God in prayer. Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged. Take it to the Lord in prayer.”