Your Suffering Matters

God rescues the afflicted by their affliction.

The Bible has much to say about suffering. Some of the essential request I’ve noticed in scripture is when the people did experience suffering they asked God for understanding, comfort, faithfulness, and encouragement. The Webster 1828 dictionary defines suffering: to feel or bear what is painful, disagreeable, distressing, either in the body or mind; to endure, to support, to sustain, and not to sink under pressure. Going through my own seasons of suffering, I’ve learned that I find it most challenging to operate within the biblical guidelines of scripture because in those toughest moments what I desire most is freedom from my pain. Suffering shows us where our faith is weak and why we need strength from God. It forces us to pursue God in a way that is more zealous and fervent. In 2 Timothy 2:3, Paul informed Timothy to endure suffering with him as a good solider in Christ Jesus. He continues to say that, “soldiers don’t get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for they cannot please the officer who enlisted them. And athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules. And hard-working farmers should be the first to enjoy the fruit of their labor. Think about what I’m saying. The Lord will help you understand all these things.” There are three essential points that Paul is expressing to Timothy: 1. share in suffering as a good soldier for Christ Jesus, and don’t get entangled in civilian affairs but focus on pleasing his commanding officer (Christ Jesus), 2. He must keep his attention on living his life according to the biblical principles set before him otherwise he is wasting his time, 3. He must endure long hours of hard work and he cannot be lazy, because like a farmer who plants crops, he will reap a harvest by the fruit of hard-work and faithfulness.

When I studied this scripture, I began to understand what Jesus needs from us. As we go through our many seasons of suffering it births evolutions of deeper meaning and purpose as a Christ follower. What I know to be true is that Jesus understands our suffering and it expresses clearly in the word that he himself has gone through suffering and testing, so he is able to help us when we are being tested (Hebrews 2:18). Jesus is not one who has no knowing or experience, but it’s the opposite, he understands it all. This is why we can trust him and why we should be glad to endure the burdens of this life. I know that doesn’t sound enjoyable because in the midst of it, it really isn’t fun. But later on, is when the good stuff happens. The truth of the matter is there is no discipline that seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields a peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Whatever God intends to teach you through your trails, it’s always for your benefit (Evans 1315). The Bible tells us that we should be very glad—for these trials make us partners with Christ in his suffering, so that we will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.

There’s nothing that feels good about enduring any form of suffering. It literally sucks when we are in the midst of it. But it’s vital to count all things we go through as joy because of Jesus Christ. In the book of Ecclesiastes, the writer expresses that “there is hope only for the living.” He continues to add that it is better to be a live dog than a dead lion because when we are dead, what then will be our reward? To live, regardless of the pain, tragedy and suffering we may face, is a gift because we are breathing and able to be in the experience. That is why I believe Jesus when he tells us to count it as joy because ultimately, we have the breath of life, the supreme gift. The writer adds when we are dead we no longer have the ability to play a part in anything on earth. Therefore, we should eat our food with joy, and drink our wine with a happy heart, for God approves of this. So, we clearly recognize that when we have seasons of suffering its ultimately for our consolation. It strengthens us, enables our belief and trust in Jesus and displays areas of growth that is needed for our soul. We are called to be Christ ambassadors and truth be told one of the main ways to truly know God is through suffering. It’s the testing of our faith that builds character. The key is to never give up because Christ will never fail you.