THE TRUTH AND HOPE OF CHRISTIAN SUFFERING

Jesus says to His disciples “In this world you will have tribulations”. (John 16:33). This statement contradicts the health and wealth gospel of an easy earthly life. Furthermore, it cuts through a Christianity of positive optimism that denies reality and the words of Jesus.

However, the life of a Christian is not an easy one but blessed (Matthew 5:3-12). They will experience persecution, physical afflictions and discouragement. But, God will work out all the good and bad for His glory and for their good (Romans 8:28)

THE PURPOSE OF SUFFERING 

The Saviour’s Path 

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Matthew 16:24 ESV 

This is a call by Christ for His disciples to truly follow Him. Christ expect His disciples to live a life of self-denial and suffering. They are to follow after their Saviour who went on the cross to suffer for them. Therefore, a disciple of Christ should willingly accept whatever comes their way for the sake of Christ.

This was the case for a Dutch disciple Corrie Ten Boom - 1892- 1983. She lived an incredible life for the glory of God.

During the Nazi occupation of her country, Corrie and her family created a hiding place in their house to protect the persecuted Jews from the Gestapo. 

She risked her life and suffered greatly because of her faith in Christ. Corrie’s sufferings involved imprisonment at Ravensbruck concentration camp in Germany. In this prison camp, conditions were poor with over crowding. Not to mention the long gruelling hours of hard labour and little food for sustenance. During this period she lost her father ten days after their arrest and her sister at the prison camp.

The question is, why would Christ call His followers to deny themselves and allow them to suffer? You see, they can only save their lives by loosing it. In other words, if they protect themselves from persecution and pain in order to please men and the world. 

This simply, reveal their condition and the outcome of eternal destruction. However, those who deny themselves to endure suffering for Christ sake will gain eternal life (Matthew 16:25).

As the Apostle Paul tells us, we have been crucified with Christ which means we are dead to sin and the world (Galatians 2:20).

Therefore, self denial of our sinful desires and the pleasures and pride of life involves suffering. It’s through suffering that we can show that we are being saved. The suffering of Christians not only involves self denial but also a way for spiritual growth.

Spiritual Growth 

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4 ESV

It’s odd for trials to be experiences of joy. But oddly enough the opposite is true for Christians. Regular trials of various kinds are prerequisite to Christian joy. Amazingly, God use those trials which are like furnace to refine and bring forth growth. 

One of the reasons for suffering is the result of the wickedness of men. However, the providence of God is mysteriously worked out in our trials for His glory and our good.

Like Joseph, God used his sufferings for His glory and his good (Genesis 50:20).

Importantly, know that on the other side of suffering there’s God's perfect will. Amazingly, suffering is an opportunity to draw closer to God. It's important to note that, in His sovereign will, God can heal or rescue His children from any suffering.

At Ravensbruck concentration camp, God supernaturally sustained Corrie. Her personal Bible and bottle of vitamins sustained her physically and spiritually. Fifteen days after her sister passed, she was released from prison.

THE BLESSEDNESS OF SUFFERING 

Supernatural Joy

On the flip side of suffering is joy that transcends all understanding. As our Lord tells us that those who suffer are blessed (Matthew 5:10-12). This blessing is spiritual. It’s an inner state of contentment and a deep filled joy, that cannot be shaken by trials, tragedy, poverty, persecution or grief.

Jesus did not promise to change the circumstances around us. He promised great peace and pure joy to those who would learn to believe that God actually controls all things. Corrie Ten Boom

Our Lord assures His people that despite their tribulations in this life. In Him they have victory and peace (John 16:33).

THE HOPE OF SUFFERING 

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Romans 8:18 ESV

Christian suffering is one that has hope. In our sufferings we groan inwardly for our glory to be revealed in Christ. Although we suffer in this fallen world however our future glory outweighs our current situation. Our bodies maybe wasting away with sicknesses and age but our inner self is being renewed to be clothed in a glorified body ( 2 Corinthians 4:16-18).

Most importantly, it is the power of the Gospel of Christ that sustains in times of trials. And His Spirit fills our hearts with joy and hope for the future. Ultimately, our hope should be rooted in the Lord Jesus Christ who suffered and conquered sin, satan and death for His eternal glory.