MenuBy Rev. Jeff Nickel
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ:
Why does a Christian rejoice in one’s sufferings? And how?
In the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Colossians, he writes: “Now I rejoice in my
sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of His body, that is, the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship of God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to His saints.” (Colossians 1:24-26 ESV)
Why does Paul rejoice in his suffering? Because he knows that God is
working through his affliction… not in spite of it but because of it, even through it. Does that mean that Paul understood it completely and in every detail? No, but he knew that it was for the sake of the church, for the sake of other believers (perhaps including you and me), and potentially (probably) also for the sake of unbelievers who may yet come to knowledge of, and faith in, the saving power of Jesus Christ. That’s why.
Will we always understand the “why” of our suffering? No, at least not on
this side of glory. We are not promised that. However, in His grace and mercy, sometimes the Lord does reveal some of it to us in this life – such as to Joseph when he forgave his brothers and told them how his suffering at the hands of his brothers was for God’s saving purpose (Genesis 50), even though neither he nor they thought of it at the time of Joseph’s suffering.
In the midst of our suffering, it is often very hard to see God’s purpose in it.
Very hard. Did the disciples understand the cross as they saw Jesus suffer in His crucifixion, even though He told them multiple times, in advance, that the Son of Man must suffer at the hands of sinful men? It’s hard to see past the pain – one’s own, or that of a loved one.
No, the disciples could not see past Jesus’ pain, nor their own fear, in the
moment. Not even for three days, not until Christ’s resurrection. What was God’s purpose in Christ’s suffering and death on the cross? Nothing less than the full atoning for all OUR sin.
So, what is God’s purpose in my suffering or your suffering? We don’t
always know, we don’t even usually know at the time. But we do know that Jesus is with us in our suffering, suffering with us since we are members of His body… and “if one member suffers, all suffer together.” (1 Corinthians 12:26a ESV) And we hear the words the Lord told Paul when he pleaded repeatedly for the Lord to relieve one particularly burdensome affliction, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.”(2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV)
This doesn’t mean that we earn anything through our afflictions and
suffering, but rather that the Holy Spirit is working through our afflictions and suffering – often for the sake of others who may see: a witness of our faith in Christ as we look to Him in the midst of affliction (inspiring faith in them), an opportunity to experience Christ-like empathy as they see our suffering (softening and molding their heart), and an opportunity to offer care, support and Christ-like service (Gospel-inspired good works).
You know that whatever God is doing, it is good, and it is a part of His plan
of salvation for the world. So your afflictions DO mean something, because Christ is IN YOU, and in Christ’s afflictions He is reconciling the world to Himself. Ultimately, that’s how Paul, and we, can rejoice in suffering.
And we have His promise that our sufferings and afflictions will end. By the
power of Christ, you and I will stand before God, perfect and blameless on the Last Day.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the
fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you always.
Rev. Jeff Nickel