Don’t worry, be happy
In every life, we have some trouble
But when you worry,you make it double
Don’t worry, be happy.
I am almost 100% certain that Bob McFerrin, the author and performer of the song Don’t Worry, Be Happy was not thinking anything of scripture or the teachings of Paul in the book of Colossians, but he hit upon some universal truth in these lyrics. We will have trouble in this life – it is promised. (John 16:33) And the trouble we face will come because of many reasons – our personal decisions, what others do to us, and sometimes for no other reason than we live in a broken world. There, also, exists a type of trouble or suffering that we can willingly choose to endure – suffering for the sake of the other.
Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake,
and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's
afflictions for the sake of His body, that is, the church…
Colossians 1:24
Through this verse, Paul is reminding us of the idea that we may have to suffer in an ongoing effort to bring others to Christ and to see them grow in their spiritual maturity. Suffering is part of our mission. Christ suffered perfectly to accomplish salvation; we suffer to spread salvation. Christ’s sacrifice was perfect – it was not lacking anything for any who profess with their mouth and believe in their heart they will be saved. Paul is teaching that our mission is to make the sacrifice of Christ known through our suffering for others. We make Christ’s sacrifice personal and real when we are willing to suffer for someone else to know/hear/learn about how much He suffered for them. Our mission is to suffer happily for the sake of others.
So, don’t worry when you suffer – it is a worthy road. Don’t worry when you suffer – they are worth it. Don’t worry when you suffer – Christ suffered first. Don’t worry when you suffer – happily suffer.
-Pastor Brian