Daily Archive

****This is an excerpt form “Captivated by Christ: Focusing on Him” published in 2008.

Some folks use the existence of suffering to rationalize their disbelief in God. I, however, consider the existence of suffering to be one of the primary reasons that I do believe in Him. Why? Well, suffering is a fundamental part of the gospel that we believe and the life we live in following Jesus.  Suffering exists and has a redemptive purpose in Christ.

James 1:2-4 states, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” This verse presents an unpopular thought that is critical to developing a Christian perspective on suffering: we are called to relish suffering, not run from it. In doing so, we grow into spiritual maturity and wholeness. In a culture driven by comfort and ease this concept is counterintuitive. However, if God’s Word is true then it is suffering—not the lack of it—that develops perseverance, maturity, and wholeness, traits for which we should all long. Even though the thought of suffering runs against the grain of our sin-stained hearts, suffering is the vehicle that often accomplishes spiritual good.

Let’s saturate ourselves in the words of Peter, a man who claimed to follow Christ until the going got tough and he denied Him. Soon after Jesus lovingly reinstated Peter, the transforming power of the Holy Spirit gave the disciple a new understanding of suffering’s purpose. Listen to the positive and encouraging words that he uses concerning suffering. Give particular note to the words “greatly rejoice”:

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade―kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith―of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire―may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls” (1 Peter 1:3-9).

Peter realized that suffering points us to our ultimate glorification.  It is evidence of our faith and a refining force in God’s plan.  In that, suffering is cause for praise and rejoicing and prompts us to trust in our future hope in Christ.  As we grow more Christ-like tribulations remind us of the guarantee of our divine inheritance.

So why do so many fervently seek to avoid suffering at all costs? I believe it’s because they don’t see the redeeming significance of it. But if a professing Christian can separate God from suffering he or she doesn’t really understand the gospel at all. Without God-ordained suffering there is no Calvary and therefore no salvation. Without suffering there is no good news. Paradoxically, suffering is the good news! Christ suffered and died under the weight of our sins so that we wouldn’t have to. His pain paved the road to our access to a holy God.

It makes perfect sense, then, that Christ followers should suffer sometimes as well.  Despite our aversion to it our suffering reflects the model of our loving Savior.  As we faithfully endure life’s tribulations we point to and give glory to the One who suffered for us.  A lost world then sees our perseverance in faith and is pointed to Calvary. Be reminded that the Apostles rejoiced “because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name” (Acts 5:41).

Are Christianity and suffering compatible? Oh yes, they are actually inseparable. Without suffering there is no hope, no forgiveness of sins, and no eternal fellowship with a transcendent God. God ordained the suffering of His only Son to provide us those divine gifts. And it’s quite possible that without our human suffering we would never recognize the glorious gift Christ gave us when He died.

I pray that we dash to the cross and behold Christ’s suffering—the suffering that has saved our souls. Then we will better grasp the reality of who Jesus is and will see His majesty. Then and then only can we embrace our own purifying suffering in Him and with Him as the experience that makes us most like Jesus. After all, emulating Christ is the goal for which we should most long. The question is, do we, like Paul, love Him so much that we desire “to know him … and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death” (Philippians 3:10)?