Suffering

For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. (Php 1:23-24)

Here is the apostle from the point of his salvation was told that he would be shown ‘how great things he must suffer for’ Christ’s name sake (Acts 6:16). He suffered the loss of all human accolades and experiences that he may win Christ (Phil 3:8). He didn’t suffer for wrong but suffered for righteousness sake (1 Pet 3:14). His suffering came from external sources (2 Cor 11:23-27) as well as from the deep care for the churches (2 Cor 11: 28). Yet with great revelation was the thorn of humility (2 Cor 12:7). What does this kind of extremity of suffering amount to? In the midst of suffering one will ask if there is anything to gain from it.

It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes. (Psa 119:71)

Suffering comes in forms of affliction, tribulation, trials, troubles and the like. All these words are all too familiar in both New and Old Covenants. In suffering lack and hunger Paul learned the secret of the Christ’s strengthening and true contentment. The learning of lowliness of heart came upon Paul because He was yoked to Jesus (Matt 11:29) with that learning the secret of rest unto the soul. Without suffering we can continue to be restless with regard to self and when the reality of hardship hits us we will fall apart. But in walking in a yoked relationship with the Author and Finisher of our faith, though we fall, we will not be utterly cast down (Psa 37:24).

This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. (Psa 34:6)

Suffering leads us to prayer and from the stature of humility in prayer we will find God’s grace and mercy that endures forever. ‘Is any among you afflicted? Let him pray’ (Jam 5:13), be prayed over by spiritual authority (Jam 5:12) and know the power of the prayer of faith (Jam 5:15). Thus having spiritual authority is an important basic principle of covering and meekness to walk under that covering. Let us not walk in accordance to what is right in our own shortsightedness (Jdg 21:25).

Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered (Heb 5:8)

The disciples who are no greater than their Master will not escape ‘the fellowship of His sufferings’ (Phil 3:10) because in that process of conforming into His death, there is a conformance to His image of Son-ship. Our deep assurance is that even suffering cannot separate us from the love of God (Rom 8:35) and as sons of God we are His dearly beloved. ‘And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose’ (Rom 8:28).

Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. (Mat 6:34)

Suffering is inevitable in our fallen world. If we view suffering as negative we can end up in bitterness towards God and miss His full blessings for sons He wants to bring unto glory (Heb 2:10). However, if we respond to our God in child-like faith, He Who knows the number of hairs on our heads in suffering we find ourselves drawn closer in love, prayer and Christ-likeness.