Sufferings have a Reason and a Purpose
Suffering has six main themes, the first being that it is designed or allowed to occur so we can draw closer to Christ. Secondly, it can be used for a greater good that we may not see at times. Thirdly, it is a vehicle for God to work in us and in others, even when we do not realize it. Fourthly, suffering can be used for learning and growing purposes that a "normal" life does not produce. And fifthly, suffering can be used to point others and us to the character of Christ.
Sufferings Draw Us Closer to Christ
First, sufferings are designed or allowed to take place so we can develop further in our faith and maturity in Christ. We must take this first theme to heart so we can more soundly trust in Him and develop a wholehearted, fully engaged faith that is strong enough to persevere and endure. This theme shows us that our God is good and He is at work in whatever situation or setback we face, be it high or low. Our pain allows us to identify with our Lord, who suffered for our sin in our place, being without fault and undeserving of the suffering. So, "why" should we expect better? It draws us to a closer and more intimate relationship with Him. God will actually enter into the pain with us. So, if there is no healing that we see, we can take comfort that He is just working harder in us!
Peter, when addressing his people about suffering, uses the term beloved, which means "loved ones." It is a pastoral expression that indicates sincere love and shows care, tenderness, compassion, and affection. This term expresses exactly what God is doing with us; He is always caring and compassionate with us. He is not aloof or unmoved by what we face. He intends and carries out His grace to us in that He shows us what He has gone through, and gives us hope and real love. We can take His love as comfort and even give it back as gratitude to Him in our worship and by showing that love to those who are weary in the midst of their sufferings and aggravations. We actually participate in the sufferings of Christ. This means that as the Church universal, we are collectively the Body of Christ. Thus, when a Christian individually or a church collectively suffers, so does He. Keep in mind; we do not earn any salvation in this. Our sufferings do not add to His work of redemption or earn anything because of it; rather, His sufferings cover us as atonement. It further identifies and intensifies us in Him (Rom. 8:17; 2 Cor. 1:5; Phil. 1:29; Col. 1:24; 1 Pet. 1:22; 4:8, 12).
The key to dealing with this theme of suffering is a willingness to be eager for Christ-to seek Him, and to have a firm desire for Him so nothing else that the world offers even interests us! Also, do not see it as a personal attack; rather, see it as an opportunity to be better for His glory! We will be as Peter calls blessed which means fortunate, because what we will gain in eternity will out-weigh anything we experience or any loss we may have on earth (Luke 6:22-23). We are also fortunate because the presence and power of the Spirit and His glory rests on us, so we are not alone in what we go through!
Sufferings Exhibit a Greater Good
Secondly, sufferings can be used for a greater good that we usually do not see. All we see is the grief, anguish, and the damage. But, with this theme, we can take comfort that God will use our suffering for the greater good that is in His purpose for His best to be worked out. What we gain will far outweigh what we lose. Consider it as fertilizer to the garden of life. Giving our burdens to God through prayer, as Paul did, will allow us to grow in greater spiritual depth. The point is, He will help us through it, but we must participate in it. We must be willing to grow and to prepare for it again so that our future sufferings are not a "maybe" or an "if," but how we are in them with character and faithfulness! Our comfort in this theme is that the Spirit that raised Christ also rests on us and will raise us! We have to beware that suffering can persuade us to doubt God's love and plan for us (Job 2:9; 2 Cor. 2:15-16)! However, we can triumph; we can even rejoice, as in celebrating and being glad in all things, including suffering, because we have His Divine grace and love. At the same time, we are responsible for moving ahead with our faith (Eph. 6:16; Phil. 2:12-13; James 1:2; 1 Pet. 5:8-9). Sufferings are opportunities for us to show our good attitude and to be motivated (Matt. 24:30; Luke 17:30).
Sufferings Show Others that God is at Work
Thirdly, sufferings can be a means for God to work in us and in others, even when we do not feel it or perceive it. Remember, God is working even when we do not feel it! The chief purpose of God's Will for us is to grow us closer to Him. It is not about money, power, our bodies, work (or the loss thereof), or anything else. The focus on Christ and His character will perfect our character to be more Christ-like and be in His will.
When God is at work in us, we can and must abandon ourselves to Christ, never holding back with our hurts or hiding in our blind theology. Our drive must be to follow His character and not our own limited understanding. Our interests ought to be surrendered to His; His interests must be ours, which will show others His necessity and supremacy (John 3:30; Rom. 1:1; Gal. 1:5; 2: 20-21; Phil. 3:10)! Going through what we do not want to do in the first place can be a pleasure because it is guiding others to His "why." For us, it is serving Him (John 15:13; 1 Cor. 9:22; 2 Cor. 12:15). When we are doing this, our maturity and character will grow and then we will be showing the love and care we are called to give!
One way we can deal with this theme of suffering is to seePaul as an example to follow. Does your heart become sorrowful for others as his did (Romans 9)? If not, what is blocking you from God's call? Paul was willing to endure suffering and even to give up his own soul so others would believe (Phil. 1:22-24)! Passion, conviction, and emotions are all part of the Christian experience (as long as they are biblically in line), and are important as tools; but, we must beware not to allow our hurts to quench the Spirit in others or ourselves! We cannot give up our salvation even for sympathetic or altruistic reasons, but we can still have the compassion and sympathy to do all we can and thus have the courage to show what we have been through and how we have prospered in Christ. This is done as an example in humbleness and in satisfaction in Christ, not in self-conceit. "Why" is this not happening more in the Church? Because we Christians tend to fail when we place our hurt and desires over God's direction and plan. We are so consumed with "me" and in the pain of what we have lost, missed, or how it has affected us that we do not consider His greater work and good that can come from it. Do not allow your wounds to cause you leave out God's promise to come along side you and use you along with others by His love and compassion.
Sufferings Cause Us to Learn and Grow
Fourthly, sufferings can be used to enable us to discover more about life, sin, and His standards and precepts. In effect, sufferings allow us to grow in confidence of our faith and the development of our Christian life, whereas a "normal" life usually does not produce a deep, heartfelt, significant faith. It is about Christ becoming more in us and us becoming less in us. Suffering is not being a martyr; rather, it is valuable for our living as we learn to surrender everything to Him. Never force suffering on yourself for attention; this only glorifies you, not God. (John 3:5, 30; Phil. 3)!
Suffering is a choice¾not that of will we go though it, but how will we deal and learn from it. That is what is important. When we trust in Him, He will not forsake us, leave us, or abandon us. He is always there. Remember, Jesus Himself suffered the most on our behalf--the Person, the God who cares for us! Our Lord withstood the full brunt of all human temptations and suffering needlessly, yet with a purpose (Mark 1:12-13, Heb. 2:12; 4:15). He was a man, subject to the power and enticement of sin. He did not need to suffer, but for our sakes He did. He was fully man and identified with us. He remained sinless and took our sins upon Himself. Now, sin has no power over Him or us, other than what we allow ourselves (Rom. 6:1-10; 8:3; 2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 5:14; 1 Pet. 2:22)! Because He took our place of suffering and bore our sins, we can have meaning and purpose in this life, both now, and also in Heaven.
The key to dealing with this theme of suffering is taking to heart that when life is at its darkest, God is there. He understands, loving and carrying us through it. We need to accept the fact that God is in control, even if we do not understand how. It is by faith that we can endure and then learn from it, becoming better and recovered for it. We can place such faith in Him because of the assurance we have through His Word, even when we do not understand. Our true home and purpose is not here; it is still to come. We are not made for this world, we are just here to learn all we can, and with what Christ has given to us, make the best and most of the situations in which we find ourselves. Then, one day, we will be called to our true home in eternity, in Heaven. So, let us cling to the Hope we have in Christ, not the things we experience or the losses we have endured!
Sufferings Show the Character of Christ
Fifthly, sufferings can be used to point out to others and us the character and love of Christ. When we are filled with joy, even in the mist of suffering, we mirror to the world the character and conduct of Christ. His work in us becomes the proclamation that sets in motion a chain of cause and effect that others take in and that assures them that He is the One. He is not only our salvation, but also our reason to live and endure. The main theme of suffering is not how we answer the "ways" and "whys," but how we live our lives so to still give God the glory! How can we allow Him to use us, and then share our experiences for the benefit of others, such as people like Joni Erickson Tada do?
One of the greatest benefits I have found as a pastor is that when we come though tough times, we become more real and relevant to others. We can identify with the plight in the lives of others and be there with ears and hearts that care. We can have something tangible to share when the time is right, allowing the Spirit to lift them up. We also become better, more passionate witnesses when we remain faithful in Christ in spite of whatever we go through. Other people will become purified and better able to know Him and make Him known because of our lives, experiences, and dealings with others. This creates more contagious faith and depth, and Fruit-bearing that our society and churches lack. The pretenders and counterfeit Christians who strive to live without His impact cannot mimic real authenticity or be a help to others in their times of confusion and stress. Such pretenders will drop out of their dysfunctional service and their pride will no longer infest us, as people will see the real, wondrous, risen Lord displayed in His faithful ones.
The key to dealing with this theme of suffering is to learn and practice faithfulness. Faithfulness is our authenticity in Christ; it is knowing and doing God's will so we can be dependable and trustworthy to God and others. Faithfulness is genuineness, and contains the power and motivation for Christian living. Because God is trustworthy with us, we can be faith-worthy in Him!Being faithful can be tough; it is very difficult to have or hold on to, especially applying it to our pain, bad experiences, and broken relationships. We tend to lose our patience with God thinking He is just a blessing machine or only has His favorites and we are not one of them. And, when we do not get what we want, we seek to leave Him because of our uncertainty. Faithfulness is the fruit that sets us on the road to recovery and that can change us inside and out! It is the ability to take what Christ has done in us and be a blessing to others with loyalty and trust. Faithfulness goes against modern psychology and the thinking of society, as it requires us to move beyond ourselves. Psychology tells us to be selfish, putting "me" first, rearranging the world to our needs, which creates self-destruction and broken relationships. We have to keep the goal of faithfulness always in our minds always, as it will allow God to work deeper and us to respond to His call (Psalm 119: 89-90; Matthew 17:19; 25:21; Rom. 1:17; 5:1-2; 1 Cor. 12:9; Hebrews 11:1; 1 Thess. 5:24; 1 Peter 4:1-11)!
