A biblical perspective on suffering
Suffering hurts… badly. But as an adolescent, I didn’t quite see it that way. One day, I randomly had a conversation with my mother, Annie, and told her, “I want to have a testimony when I’m older.”
I further explained that it didn’t scare me to think about something bad happening to me or something hard happening, because I wanted God to use me and make my life a testimony. Mom’s face changed when I conveyed that. Her expression said, Ooh wee! Are you sure, baby?
However, she didn’t discourage me but educated me by explaining that having a great testimony required enduring a great test. Despite being an overly-eager, spiritually-immature adolescent, Mom still assured me that I had one thing right, which was my perspective on suffering. She liked the fact that my focus was on God being glorified through me in spite of possible future difficulties.
Looking back on that moment, I now see that God was preparing my young heart for what I would go through down the road.
Over thirty years later, I can say that I have dealt with a lot of unpleasant circumstances and been through multiple fierce battles with my health. The road has been rough at times—far rougher than anything I’d ever imagined as a youngster. But by God’s grace, I made it and walked away with an amazing testimony.
Though I am more mature and have evolved in many ways, I believe that the talk I had with Mom decades ago was divinely-inspired. My perspective on suffering was biblically-sound, though I didn’t know it then. And that very perspective has sustained me each time I have gone through the wilderness of affliction.
Paul the Apostle’s take on suffering has also been a great encouragement and inspiration to me on my journey. In Philippians 1:12-14, while he was a prisoner in Rome for the cause of Christ, he wrote this:
“Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.”
Paul knew that his chains helped to free others. His physical bondage resulted in the spiritual freedom of those that were inspired by his endurance, faithfulness, confidence in God, and testimony of salvation.
In verse 19, he continued:
“for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.”
This verse excites me so much! It is a reminder that God will cause what has happened to us to work out for our good and His good glory. When odds aren’t in our favor, God’s favor beats the odds. When we should be defeated, He gives us the victory. What should destroy us is used by God to develop and exalt us.
“You may be suffering, but God is also working. Hold your head up high, and know this: when odds aren’t in our favor, God’s favor beats the odds.”
Isn’t that good news?
If you’re going through something right now, this is a word for you. God allowed it to happen. Therefore, even though the enemy meant it for evil, the Lord will cause it to “turn out for your deliverance” and work out for our good. He will use your pain, difficulties and struggles to accomplish His will and set others free. You can be sure that something beautiful and good will come out of something ugly and bad. And that, my friend, is a biblical perspective on suffering.
To encourage and motivate you to go through trials with the expectation of better days, I’m stirring 2 Corinthians 4:17 into your cup of inspiration, which says, “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”
As you drink down the contents of your cup, God is assuring you that your suffering is not in vain. It will produce power and purpose. You will be richly rewarded in this present world and inherit eternal life.
Stay focused through it all, and never forget that when you come through this, God will get the glory from your story. I am a living witness that He will.
Now, let’s pray.
God, Your word says in Romans 8:18 that “the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” I believe that greater is coming after this, and if I don’t give up, You will get the glory and cause everything to work together for my good. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you desire prayer, please allow me, along with my intercessory prayer team, to stand in faith with you for breakthrough. We would be so honored. We have seen God work over and over again. There is power in agreement. Click here to request prayer now.
As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may today's cup of inspiration uplift, encourage, and empower you!
