Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

~James 1:2-4 NIV

Hidden from View

What we see with our eyes is not all there is. Hidden from view lies the other 90 percent.

No one enjoys suffering for any amount of time, let alone enduring longsuffering. Through it, however, the Lord works in ways our minds cannot even imagine.

Living in a evil world, we gain peace by knowing the Lord has not abandoned us to fend for ourselves. He is tender-hearted toward us in our pain, and He draws close and comforts us in our sorrows. As a hen gathers her brood, God offers refuge and lovingkindness under the shadow of His wing (Matthew 23:37).

Jesus’ Daily Ministry

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.

~Hebrews 4:14 NIV

Jesus’ suffering as He ministered daily was a work far greater than the events culminating in His crucifixion. Like an iceberg, with 90 percent of its mass below the surface, more transpired beneath the surface of His pain than witnessed by onlookers. Beyond His beatings, crucifixion, and death, Jesus was accomplishing a much deeper work.

Through it all, Jesus won freedom for the captives, conquered sin and death, finished the work, and paid the price for the sin of humanity, once and for all (Hebrews 10:10). Jesus went through hell so we would not have to, and His victorious resurrection gave birth to the miracles of grace and mercy.

Spiritual Work

We rely so much on what we see with our eyes that we believe what we see is all there is—including that our pain is only meaningless suffering with no eternal value. But what if something is happening that we can’t see? What if the pain is merely the tip of the iceberg of an amazing work God is doing deep below the surface within our hearts? 

Charles Spurgeon said it beautifully, “In proportion to your tribulations shall be your consolations! If you have shallow sorrows, you shall receive shallow graces; but if you have deep afflictions, you shall obtain the deeper proof of the faithfulness of God!”

Continual Praise

Rest assured. God does not allow us to suffer any longer than necessary to accomplish His perfecting work within our souls. We need faith to believe we will realize something of eternal, priceless value through our suffering, if we trust Him. 

May none of our struggles be wasted or tarnished by grumbling. Like Jesus, may the pangs of our anguish give birth to lavish grace and mercy in our hearts for others. As we worship through tears, may God be glorified in and through us.

How can you do a better job of trusting God through your trials? 

Father God, delivered me from this suffering. But more than that, work a blessing as I trust You through this trial. I honor You.  May I be found faithful through this test, and, in turn, trust in Your faithfulness for the other 90 percent. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2024: The Other 90 Percent: Julie Souza Bradley Lilly: All Rights Reserved