Reflections on Suffering

I’ve had a rough week, so it’s led me to ponder a bit about suffering. Maybe these reflections are random, but I just wanted to share them with you. I don’t claim this post is the final word on the subject. Until Jesus returns to set this world right, suffering is an issue we’ll have to confront.

Persecution

In the Bible, pain is largely a result of persecution. I don’t say it’s only about persecution, but much of what Scripture teaches about adversity is related to our commitment to the ways of the Lord.

My experience as a pastor, plus the fact that I’m getting older, has shown me the difference between a lot of the struggles we American Christians deal with and those spelled out in the Bible. I’m almost finished teaching a Sunday School class about the book of 1 Peter in which the apostle tries to stabilize and support believers who were facing ostracism, rejection, and worse, for their loyalty to Jesus.

Yet most of the problems I wrestle with, and many of those I hear about from others, don’t derive from persecution. They stem from natural, circumstantial, or relational causes. A lot of our trials have to do with not having enough money, battling a disease, disagreeing with co-workers or family members, and so on. These are real problems, but take a stroll through 1 Peter and you might be surprised how these don’t come up. Peter writes to Christians who are in danger of losing their jobs, families, and maybe even their lives. Because they’re Christians. No other reason.

Here’s what the apostle wrote toward the beginning of his letter:

“In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. ⁷These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith–of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire–may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” – 1 Peter 1:6-7

The trials we endure relate to our faith in Jesus. When we live for Him, the world notices. Sometimes it admires us, but often, it doesn’t.

Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? ¹⁴But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” ¹⁵But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, ¹⁶keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. ¹⁷For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. – 1 Peter 3:13-17

I’m not suggesting we ignore physical afflictions and economic hardships. Nor am I saying God doesn’t care about these matters. He does! But it seems to me that the Lord prioritizes a lifestyle loyal to His Son. Whatever consequence we encounter because of that commitment is worth it.

Pursuit

I don’t know of any verses which tell believers to chase after suffering, but I wonder if in many situations we should. While we don’t know the future, given a choice between a seemingly safe option and one which impinges on us, I’m beginning to think Christians should select the difficult one. How else can we deny ourselves?

Of course, I wouldn’t impose this on anyone else. If I had a choice between putting a smile on someone’s face or making him frown, I’d choose the smile. Yet that has limits. A coach can’t make game preparation easy, or the team will probably lose. Pain in discipline seems unavoidable.

Paul thought so.

“Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. ²⁶Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. ²⁷No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” – 1 Corinthians 9:25-27

And so did the writer of Hebrews.

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as His children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? ⁸If you are not disciplined–and everyone undergoes discipline–then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. ⁹Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! ¹⁰They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in His holiness. ¹¹No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. – Hebrews 12:7-11

I suppose we don’t have to pursue pain for its own sake. But we should always be aware that divine discipline and training will cost us something–comfort, preferences, ease. When we face a decision, we do ourselves a service by prioritizing the effects of discipline and self-denial. Such fruit is worth the discomfort we endure.

Passion

Suffering isn’t an abstract notion for Christians; our Lord died on a cross to secure our redemption. Unless we keep our eyes on Jesus, our opinions about suffering will help no one. Including ourselves.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ²fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” – Hebrews 12:1-2

Christ’s passion, His death on the cross, saves us from our sins. Praise God! But it also serves as a roadmap for the Christian life. Disciples imitate their masters; so we Christians must imitate our Lord. When we choose to follow Jesus, we will meet occasions of pain and shame. At the cross, Jesus defeated both of them. The torture was real, as was the dishonor, but neither was final. He knew the joy that lay before Him, and so should we. Whatever we suffer now doesn’t get the last word. God does! He raised His Son from the dead, and He will raise us out of our trials, too.

Contemplate the cross. How much do you base your life on what Jesus did for you? And how does His passion serve as a role model for you?