August 10, 2025
What a title! Some would advise that a title like that will not build an audience, and that I should allure you to benefits rather than come right out with the truth. The Bible, however, is extremely clear on suffering and the first thing that is made clear is that suffering is a gift.
Philippians 1:29 (ESV) — 29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,
God has declared that all things are under His control, and He promises that all things work together for good for those who love Him.
Romans 8:28–29 (ESV) — 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
The good that comes out of all things that God is working together is our being conformed to the image of the Lord Jesus Christ. It’s called sanctification. How important is sanctification? The Westminster Confession of Faith – Shorter Catechism describes it:
‘Sanctification is the work of God’s free grace by which our whole person is made new in the image of God, and we are made more and more able to become dead to sin and alive to righteousness.”
Reason with me. If sanctification is the result of God’s grace working in us through the work of the Holy Spirit using the word of God and the circumstances of life, shouldn’t we welcome whatever He is doing in our lives since it’s guaranteed to be for our good?
Wait! There is more…
1 Peter 1:6–8 (ESV) — 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory,
Whenever we face suffering, our faith is tested, as gold that is tested is taken through fire to remove impurities. When we face trials and suffering, God is burning off the impurities in our lives, which may be difficult but bearable, as we consider the end result of seeing the Lord Jesus Christ face to face and our sanctification being brought to praise Him.
The apostle Paul considered any suffering a privilege because it brought Him closer to the suffering of Christ and the reality of His resurrection. Union with the resurrected Christ is best experienced in our suffering because coming through it is like a token of His resurrection and power.
Philippians 3:10 (ESV) — 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,
As we suffer, we find the consolation of trusting our lives to our faithful Creator and His sustaining power.
1 Peter 4:19 (ESV) — 19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.
2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV) — 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
The growth of God working in us through suffering brings us greater blessings than we would ever know.
Romans 5:3–5 (ESV) — 3 Not only that, but 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.
How do we face the prospect of suffering? It’s not in our being naturally to look forward to it. Oh, maybe in a complaining way as those who go around expecting trouble so they will not be disappointed. On the contrary, Jesus told us that we should expect trouble and tribulation, but that should only be a springboard in thought to seek after Him and find Him to be our strength and shield.
John 16:33 (ESV) — 33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
In closing this little article on the gift of suffering, I want to take you to the life of the apostle Paul who was visiting various churches and friends on his final journey to Jerusalem. It was known that many leaders in Jerusalem were out to get him, so his friends and others tried their best to dissuade him from going. There were even some who prophesied about Paul’s suffering and pleaded with him not to go. Notice his response and how it gives us insight into how we might look forward to any suffering, knowing all is well because our Lord Jesus Christ is in control.
Acts 21:13–14 (ESV) — 13 Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” 14 And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.”
Godspeed,
Bob Brubaker, Pastor
