By Andrea Guachalla
I had planned to write this article many weeks ago and didn’t get to it for various reasons. Was I hiddenly trying to avoid the topic by procrastinating on it? Maybe. Was I waiting to gain more insight about it to write a more thorough article? Most likely.
The fact that one of the sermons we had at church this past Sunday was precisely about suffering made it clear it was about time to sit down and write now that I have more insight and the will to procrastinate no more!
Let me start with this: I don’t think anyone likes to think about suffering… It’s painful to look back and be reminded of the times one has had to endure harsh situations, losses, or anxiety. It’s painful to ponder upon current hardships that one is having to face, and it can make us anxious to think about future hardships that life will certainly bring.
Having the news readily available for us to see how rotten society is certainly doesn’t help.
But the thing is this: as Christians we must know that God never promised us a life without hardships and suffering, but the exact opposite. The Bible repeatedly says that as Christ suffered, we will also suffer. Philippians 1:29 reads: “For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake.”
If we believe in Christ we will suffer for his sake.
But here it is necessary to clarify that going through persecution, or facing rejection over us sharing the Gospel with friends and family, and in summary facing hardships because we love Christ is not the only reason we will suffer in this life.
One thing the pastor at my church taught while preaching on Phil. 1:29-30 is that there are two other reasons we suffer: because of our own sin that brings upon us God’s discipline (if we are his children) and having to deal with obvious consequences, and because of God’s plan to sanctify us through hardships such as sickness, loss, etc.
And I find this so utterly amazing in a good and bad way!
I had read the book of Job before, and through hardships in my own life I had to, quickly, understand that God is sovereign even when, in our pain, we feel tempted to think he is not. But even having had to face these truths in the past, they still amaze me and have led me to understand one simple thing: we can suffer because of God’s holy plan and under his sovereignty, or we can suffer because of our despicable sins.
Who, in their right mind, would willingly choose the latter?
As time passes by I’ve come to notice that I’m more okay with the idea of suffering being a part of the Christian life as a means used by God to sanctify us, but I’ve decided that I will do whatever I can to avoid suffering because of my own sin. Because, wouldn’t that be the peak of foolishness? To sin knowing not only that I transgressed God’s law, but that that will bring suffering upon me?
Now I understand what Peter meant when he wrote: “For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.” (1 Peter 3:17) And the only way to know with absolute certainty that it was God’s will for you to suffer is to do good and not evil. And that brings peace even amidst painful situations. On the contrary, knowing your suffering was caused by your own sin brings nothing but uneasiness, remorse, and what is worse: knowing you sinned against a loving Father that calls you to follow His commandments to bring Him glory, but also for your own good.
You knew better and you disobeyed regardless!
We should be aware of how life can be when we decide to disobey God, that should scare us and prompt us to seek him and his wisdom. But we should also be aware that Christ himself suffered, and he did so for God’s glory. Likewise, the apostles suffered terrible persecution and deaths. And us, if we are truly God’s children, will suffer too. There is no way around it.
So the question here has never been *if* we will suffer, and is also not a matter of *when*, but a matter of HOW. When suffering comes will we raise our fists to God and call him unjust? Or will we suffer joyfully as the apostles did?
In Acts 5:40-41 we have a great example of *how* a Christian should suffer when it is for the sake of Christ: “and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.”
The apostles were beaten up, and then they left the place rejoicing that they were worthy of suffering for Christ. It almost seems like a comedic scene taken out of a movie. But this can be true for the Christian! When we suffer for Christ’s sake, or knowing it is for God’s providence we can go through the hardships joyfully.
I cherish the times of freedom God has given all of us in our country, a freedom not many enjoy around the globe. I am thankful for the job he has given me that allows me to put food on the table. But I do not take it for granted. Because I know that, sooner or later, suffering will come. So now that I can, now that I’m free from persecution, now that I’m not facing financial hardships, I decide to make the most of my time, resources and gifts so I can serve him and others.
And when suffering comes… I pray that I will be prepared to face it. I pray that it will not be suffering that comes from my own sin, but from God’s sovereign plan. When suffering comes I pray that I will serve him more earnestly. When difficulties strike I pray that I will be so focused on Christ, flooded by his love and filled with his spirit that I cannot help but keep serving Him despite my circumstances.
Brother and sister, how will YOU react when suffering comes? Will you keep serving God, or will you use your suffering as an excuse to depart from him? Will you call God unjust or will you suffer joyfully? Will you seek refuge in the world or will you run to Christ?
