Redeem Your Suffering
Scripture tells us, “Man is born to trouble, as the sparks fly upward” (Job 5:7). Most people in this life suffer, and the apostle Paul suffered more than most. Yet, despite everything he endured, he realized that with suffering come benefits.
For example, suffering humbled him. With all he accomplished, he might have lost sight of who actually was doing the work: God. As he told the Corinthians,
And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Cor. 12:7–10).
Suffering provides the opportunity for increased faith. When Paul was shipwrecked on his voyage to Rome as a prisoner of the state, it looked like he and 275 others would perish. All his shipmates had begun to abandon hope. Yet, Paul encouraged them to eat:
For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, saying, “Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.” Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me (Acts 27:23–25).
Paul understood that living before God is all about faith, as expressed in Hebrews 11:6: “Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
Suffering expands the gospel witness. When Paul and his traveling companion Silas were imprisoned in Philippi, their godly attitudes brought the Philippian jailer and his family to faith in Jesus.
In addition, Paul reminded the Galatians that it was because of his suffering that he preached the gospel to them:
You know that because of physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you at the first. And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. What then was the blessing you enjoyed? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes and given them to me (Gal. 4:13–15).
Suffering brings rewards. Paul also explained his attitude toward his suffering for the benefit of the Corinthians. He regarded suffering much like godly giving of money, which lays up treasure in heaven:
Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal (2 Cor. 4:16–18).
God allows suffering not because He hates us but because He loves us. As He told Paul, “My strength is made perfect in weakness” (12:9). Suffering should bring us closer to the Lord so that we can glorify Him and live by faith in obedience to the One who suffered and gave His life for us.
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