Devotional: Suffering
Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33
Jesus warned us— we will have troubles in this world. There’s no escaping it.
Sometimes, as believers, we think that our life here on earth is supposed to go perfectly, that we will never have any issues, or that if problems arise, it’s because we aren’t “good enough” and God is punishing us.
But suffering is a part of every human experience, whether you are a Christian, atheist, Muslim, rich, poor, middle-class, etc. It doesn’t matter who you are. Suffering is the great equalizer.
And, if Jesus suffered, we will too.
How we process suffering, though, is what Jesus wants to offer us.
When speaking to His disciples after promising them that tribulation will come, He promises them something else — peace in Him.
He said that He has overcome the world. We know that Jesus came to this earth to conquer sin and death. In the spiritual realm, those things no longer have dominion over us when we are “in Him”; that is, when we believe in Him. John 5:24 tells us that we have “passed from death into life” forevermore.
With that knowledge, we have real hope. We have the hope that someday, when Jesus returns or we go to Him, He will redeem our bodies and give us new bodies that will never endure suffering for the rest of eternity. This hope is not imagined or wishful thinking; it is solid and something we can hold onto. Hebrews 10:23 says, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” In this world we will have suffering, but when we are glorified someday, we will never shed a tear again.
During our suffering, whether it is health, financial, relational, emotional, etc., we can have peace because of our hope in Christ. When the world seems to be crashing on top of us, we can rest, trusting in the promises of Jesus. We know that our suffering is not purposeless. The Lord is a redeemer and will make beauty from ashes.
Without Jesus, there is no hope. We all suffer to different degrees and if there is nothing to look forward to after this life, then suffering is purposeless and can turn people cold.
So how do we apply what Jesus said as we face suffering in our lives?
1. Remember that Jesus suffered too, but there is glory to come.
Hebrews 12:2 — “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Psalm 42:11 — “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.”
Romans 8:10 — “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”
2. Find comfort in His promises for the future.
Revelation 21:4 — “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
1 Peter 5:10 — “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”
2 Corinthians 4:16-18— “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”
3. Pray, give thanks, and surround yourself with other believers.
Romans 12:12 — “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
Galatians 6:2 — “Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
1 Thessalonians 5:11 — “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 — “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
4. Draw near to God and allow Him to grow you in this season.
Nothing in our lives goes to waste. God will use everything and redeem it for good.
Romans 5:3-5 — “…we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”
Romans 8:28 — “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
Lamentations 3:24 — “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.
James 1:1-24 — “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
Take a moment: where do you seek comfort when dealing with suffering?
Maybe you turn to ways that numb your emotional pain. That could be through watching TV, reading, being social, indulging in food, alcohol, or even drugs.
It takes a strong will, but God wants you to run to Him. He desires that you draw near to Him, especially in seasons of suffering.
At the end of the day, all that God wants from you is your heart and wants to impart His abounding love, comfort, and wisdom on you.
But, we have to also be willing to receive it. James 4:8 tells us that if we draw near God, He will draw near to us.
For further encouragement about the topic of suffering, read the book of Job in the Old Testament.
Fix your eyes on Jesus and live by faith.
-Alina