My goal is to know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death. Phil.3:10
Suffering—Part of the Christian Landscape
None of us really likes to hear about suffering. Yet, Jesus and His apostles spoke about it several times (Matthew 5:10-12, John 16:33, Acts 14:22, 1 Peter 4:12). There are also many examples of His people suffering in both the Old and the New Testament. This aspect of our faith continues in our world today as Christians are persecuted for believing in Jesus.
Suffering—Different Purposes
God allows suffering in our lives for different reasons:
To prepare us for our future call and role. Joseph suffered at the hands of his own family. However, this was to prepare and to position him to fulfill his call (Genesis 36-41). Moses had to go into exile to prepare him to free his people (Exodus 2-3).
To purify us. Job recognized that he was not so holy after all (Job 42:5-6).
To keep us humble. Sometimes our humanity needs help to fight against pride. Paul was such an example (2 Corinthians 11 and 12:1-11).
To bear witness to others of the Lord and His Kingdom (Acts 7:57-58, Acts 8:1, Acts 22:20).
To justify and facilitate God’s judgment (2 Thessalonians1:3-8).
For the sake of others (Life of Jesus, 1 Peter 3:18).
Suffering—How God Wants Us to Respond
Praying (1 Peter 26:36-46, James 5:13, Romans 12:12).
Having patience (James 5:7-11).
Holding fast to our confidence in God (Hebrews 10:32-38).
Rejoicing and giving thanks (1 Peter 4:12-13, James 1:2-4,12).
Knowing that greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4).
Knowing God’s grace will rest on us for the trial. Stephen responded well when being stoned because of this power at work in him (1 Peter 4:14, Acts 7:54-60).
Not repaying evil for evil, but repaying evil with good (1 Peter 3:6-12, Romans 12:14-18).
Committing ourselves to the One who judges justly (1 Peter 2:23).
Looking unto Jesus and following His example (1 Peter 2:18-23, Hebrews 12:1-3).
Knowing that the God we serve is a reward for those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).
Jesus, the Ultimate Example of Suffering
Jesus, who was equal with the Father in heaven, made Himself of no reputation and, in humility, became a man and suffered innocently on the cross on our behalf. He is the One through whom the world was created, and nothing that was created existed outside of Him. Yet He subjected Himself to the humiliation of His creation and did not utter one word for His defense but committed Himself to Him who judges justly. He, however, most certainly suffered the just for the unjust (Philippians 2:5-8).
Suffering For the Right Reasons
The Bible makes it clear that the suffering God rewards is the suffering for righteousness’ sake. Make no mistake; a believer should not be suffering for wrongdoing. In the world, particularly at this time, Christians have opposing opinions about right or wrong. It is important to have discernment, for sometimes we can cause suffering on ourselves because our discernment is incorrect in terms of what is good and what is evil (1 Peter 4:15, Hebrews 5:11-14).
The World is Not Worthy of Those Who Suffer for Christ
Our suffering is an indication that this world is not our home and that this world is not worthy of us. When we are willing to suffer for Christ, it indicates we know our God and we are confident of our identity in Him—He is faithful who has promised. Indeed! Great is our reward (Hebrews 11:35-38).
We Should Not Always Accept Suffering
Jesus said to His disciples, if you are being persecuted, you should not just remain and accept it. He said that His disciples should flee to the next city (Matthew 10:23). Paul, despite his suffering, did not immediately accept it but prayed three times for it to be removed. He accepted God’s response to his prayer, “that His grace is sufficient” to bear “the thorn” and go through the trial (2 Corinthians 12:8-10).
The Suffering in This World Cannot be Compared to….
No matter what we suffer here on earth, it cannot compare to the glory we will receive. This statement came from a man who suffered tremendously in his life, and so we are promised the same. We are a people who live with eternity in our hearts, looking forward to the blessed hope and the glorious appearance of our Great God and Savior, Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13, Romans 8:18, 2 Corinthians 4:7-18).
For indeed, it is written, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulations, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword…Yet in all these things, we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us…Nothing shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:35, 37 and 39). Paul was able to make these statements and live the way he lived because of his knowledge of God. May we all grow in the knowledge of our Great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.