What is the role of suffering in the life of a Christian? Americans often forget that the majority of world Christians face persecution on a daily basis. We look at situations where our brothers and sisters are in pain and suffering that we cannot even imagine. Often our response is tears for their pain, and a prayer of thanks to God that "we are fortunate enough to live in a country where we have freedom of religion." Honestly, that is most times the extent of our response: thankfulness that we are not experiencing the hardships that others are. Is this not an incredibly selfish response, and possibly a wrongful one? Consider the Bible's perspective on suffering:
I Peter 1:3-7: "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade-kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this
you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.
These have come so that your faith-of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire-may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. I Peter 4:1-2: "Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires,
but rather for the will of God."
I Peter 4:12-16, 19: "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ,
so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed,
but praise God that you bear that name...So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good."
2 Thess. 1: 3-5: "We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing. Therefore, among God's churches
we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring. All this is evidence that God's judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering."
James 1:2-4: "Consider it
pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that
the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work
so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
This is obviously a small sampling of biblical passages that speak on the topic of suffering. But even these few passages can give us a new perspective if we allow them to. Suffering is a tool that God uses for His perfect purposes. We are to rejoice when we are persecuted for the holy Name of Christ. Hardships perfect our faith and make us more like our Savior. They bring glory to the name of God we are to be honored that God allows us to bear the name of Christ.
In light of this, I was challenged and I challenge the body of Christ to not consider ourselves better than those who are suffering, but to view our own faith as in need of the same refining as those who are currently experiencing hardships. The body of Christ in the rest of the world is going through persecution that is perfecting the faith of the saints. It will be to the ultimate glory of God if the Church in the United States someday experiences this same persecution.
