Suffering is s common topic in Christian living, but I am learning a new insight to the normal thing called suffering. Paul says something extremely invoking in Philippians 3:10,"I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death." This verse puts me in awe. If there was any verse to show us more about living, this is it! If I really want to understand Christ, His life, power or love, I must also come to understand and know his death and suffering.
What is Suffering
Google defines suffering: as agony, something that cause pain, distress or trouble. We could be suffering from something as small as overeating when we are anxious or something as big as, being unemployed for a year or regular pain from a chronic diseases. Whatever our suffering may be at the time, God is making us toughen disciples trusting is plan, understanding His purposes and accepting His untamable love.
Pride and Suffering
When we are suffering it is hard to see it as something with purpose, we have let our pain and pride tightened it's grip on our heart. Our suffering may be causing us to complain and be upset like "nothing is ever allowed to go wrong." Our worry maybe clouding our emotional welfare and sabotaging our outlooks. Suffering can be personal but it's not meant to make us prideful. Seeing our suffering as anything but edifying will not allow us to overcome it. We have to feel it, understand it and know God's purpose in it.
Jesus Suffered
"Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted." (Hebrews 2:18) Jesus' misery is what prepared him for His ministry. It was not just a quintessence that the angels came to Jesus in Hebrews before he went to Galilee. "Suffering grants renewed spiritual vitality and strengthened character." (Mark Galli) Jesus was prepared because he was renewed by his suffering.
Toughened Disciples
"At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him." (Mark 1:9-13) I have not stopped to really understand these verses, literally right after Jesus experience that wonder of baptized he was sent straight into temptations. It's like you just learned this beautiful lesson on loving your enemy and before you have absorbed it, the person you are so bitter towards is calling you. I have never thought that God loves me so much he has refused to pamper me. He throws us right into battle. He threw Jesus in to battle all the time, like in Hebrews 2:18 and in Mark 1:9-11. To have the same look on life Paul did, then I am not above suffering because Jesus wasn't above suffering. The world is not full of gentle and happy people. We need to be prepared to go to hell to find the lost. God was constantly preparing Jesus and is preparing you in your suffering. We are toughened disciples by his plan.
Complaining seems silly now!
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