April 28th

First of all, apologies for mistaking french for bad english in the previous post. The above is from the Osaka Aquarium where they have a whale shark! They were smaller than expected though...

Anyhow, I decided that I would make this post about joy. In particular, joy when suffering.

"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." Romans 5:1-5 ESV

Recently I've faced a lot of rejection. Last quarter I recruited for summer internships and in fact am still interviewing with firms for a summer job. I applied to over 60 companies, interviewed with about 20, even had several final rounds, and currently have no offers. Two weeks ago I interviewed with Deutsche Bank in Tokyo. My interviewers all ended my interview with saying I interviewed pretty well or that they saw a lot of potential in me. I left Tokyo feeling pretty good about my chances, only to hear back this week that they won't be offering me the position. Time after time, opportunity after opportunity, each one seems to have slipped away right before me. With each rejection, the overwhelming feeling of uncertainty about the future has built ominously high with each disappointing rejection. In my imperfection and brokeness, I profess to the difficulties of the situation.

Yet I rejoice. I rejoice in having Christ Jesus as my Lord and Savior and the assured future grace and life eternal that are promised through faith in him. The sufferings of this life grow the faith in him that assures salvation. I rejoice for the suffering that has and continues to grow my faith.

James teaches, "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." James 1:2-4 ESV

Count it all joy. Rejoice. Through trials and tribulations, God tests our faith to grow our faith. Through testing our faith He produces in us steadfastness. That steadfastness refines us until we are perfected in heaven. Thus, every hardship is for joy. Every failure that tests our faith grows it.

The author of Hebrews teaches,"he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."

God redeems all hardship for our good. He disciplines us to make us yield fruits of righteousness for Him! So "Why do bad things happen to 'good' people?" Because God loves them!

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28 ESV

Every act of hardship, pain, and suffering is for our good, and because of that, we can rejoice. Even though I've been through some rough patches with what seems like spiraling career prospects and a long line of never ending rejections, I can still testify to the Lord's righteousness, justice, and glory. How easy it is to praise God when life is going well. But even when life is difficult, we should still praise God with every fiber of our being.

Paul writes in Philippians, "Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me." Philippians 4:11-13 ESV

While things might be difficult, I still turn back to God and sing Him praises. I rejoice for the ways my suffering have grown my faith to be even firmer in times of struggle. In truth, I am very uncertain of where God is leading me through all these missed opportunities. Yet I remain calm because of my faith. I know that through Him who strengthens me, I can accomplish whatever He holds for my future. Through trusting in Him with all my heart, I know He will provide. Proverbs teaches, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV

While what my summer and even future after graduation may hold remains uncertain, I thank God for the way that uncertainty has grown my faith. I trust Him that He will continue to work all things for my good.

Hopefully this post successfully updated you on some of the going ons of my life. Thanks again for your continued prayer and support! Maybe this post also revealed my favorite translation of the Bible...

Tune in for more next time!

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:1