Metro Atlanta is famous for our terrible traffic. Most of us have probably had the frustrating experience of being late for a meeting because we’re stuck in standstill traffic. We can become increasingly irritated as we boil over in exasperation and anger. 

Now imagine you looked over next to you to see someone blasting music, singing their guts, and experiencing what looks like real joy… in a traffic jam!  We’d probably all draw the same conclusion, this is a strange time to be joyful. 

In Colossians 1:24-27, Paul makes a very strange statement, “I rejoice in my sufferings…” What?!?! Suffering is a strange thing to take joy in, even more strange than being joyful in a traffic jam.