Why we need not despair when we’re faced with suffering. God is there
By Alexander King*
So often as believers in Jesus we assume we will be protected from trouble. Then, when chaos ensues, we immediately turn from God. That response shows the difference between believing in Jesus and being a follower of Jesus. Followers of Jesus understand that faith in God does not guarantee personal prosperity and a lack of faith does not guarantee troubles in life. If this were so, people would believe in God just to get rich. The great thing is that God does deliver us from our suffering (Psalm 34:19). Our life is not given to us for happiness and personal fulfillment but for us to honor, serve, and glorify the one who breathed life into our lungs.
God's love for us is not measured by the amount or duration of our suffering.
Why we suffer
God uses our suffering to strengthen us and to glorify him. This means we can trust God to do what is best for us, even when we suffer. We can look for ways to honor God, remember that God will not abandon us, and wait patiently as God's glorious plan is revealed to us. Our suffering humbles us, drives us back to God, allows us to experience more of God's glory and faithfulness, teaches us to depend on God and not the world, and challenges us to submit our lives to God's purpose. Suffering makes us more compassionate toward those in trouble (2 Corinthians 12:8-10).
Photo by Road Trip with Raj at Unsplash.com
Paul says suffering for the sake of our faith is a privilege (Philippians 1:29). Our suffering verifies that we have been faithful, because suffering is not always a direct consequence of sin.
Understanding suffering
We may not be able to control when or how we suffer but we do control how we respond when it does come. God divinely allows suffering to happen and, in his sovereignty, even uses suffering for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28). God took the worst possible punishment for a person in ancient times and turned it into the foundation of our faith. God’s supreme sovereignty gives way for him to turn every circumstance and situation for his glory and our good.
God’s sovereignty in our suffering
God is always at work. And he believes that you can have your best witness in your worst circumstances. Similarly, God uses your painful circumstances to advance His gospel (Philippians 4:19). Paul testified that God had used his imprisonment and even poorly motivated preaching to help spread the gospel (Philippians 1:12-18).
God’s sweetness in our suffering
While we wait to see God work, we can remember in our present situation what really matters, and that is the surpassing worth of being in communion with Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:8). When we’ve lost much, Christ comes and reveals himself as more valuable than what we’ve lost. When we have plenty, Christ reminds that he is more valuable than anything we could accumulate. Paul’s imprisonment is a great example of God’s sweetness in our suffering. As Paul is sitting in jail, he has every reason to lose hope and be doubtful. However, his response to that circumstance is a beautiful thing and a wonderful reminder we can use even our present suffering to bring God glory.
Rejoice in suffering
We are not isolated in our suffering. God suffers with us. What did Jesus do when he saw the mourners after Lazarus had died? Jesus wept. Jesus without reservation weeps with all of us. The heart of Jesus aches right alongside those who are hurting. Find comfort that the God who supplies peace beyond all understanding is weeping for us and with us. He offers us peace for the present and courage for the future (John 16:33). We can get through our circumstances knowing that God’s sovereignty and the sweetness of Jesus develop a perseverance in our faith that brings glory to God (James 1:2-4).
*Today’s guest columnist, Alexander King, is a 20-year-old native of Columbus, Georgia, pursuing a degree in organizational leadership at Point University. He’s a team leader at Chick-fil-A, where he’s worked for five years. His passion to serve is seen on the job, at his church (where he teaches Sunday school and leads small groups), and in his leadership with Young Life.
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