Sunshine Cathedral

Strength for the Struggle

Sunshine Cathedral

Day 1 of 7: We Are Made of Pretty Strong Stuff

“Count it all joy… when you meet various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.”
James 1:2-3 (RSVCE)

Christians often use passages like the above to delegitimize the real suffering people endure — “Don’t let it get you down. You are being refined. Have faith!”

These words feel empty, patronizing, and inadequate to soothe our spirits or heal our wounds. The missteps of others aside, however, we revisit what the author of this passage is inviting us to consider. We are not admonished to have to “feel” joy in the face of difficulties. It is natural to feel bad when bad things are happening.

Instead, we are invited to perceive the truth of our experience more broadly. Yes, we are facing hardships, and they are having a negative effect on our lives. But we are also making it through.

Each day that we continue to show up for our lives in the face of painful circumstances, we are also experiencing the miracle of our own resilience. We see what we are made of—not only when we've finally made it through, but also right there in the midst of the struggle. We can count on ourselves, come what may.

Divine Comfort, in tough times, may our honest pain be tempered by the joy of experiencing our innate steadfastness. Amen.

Sunshine Cathedral

Rev. Ty Bradley
Social Justice Minister

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