Purpose in Suffering

By Dr. Reuben J. Sequeira

Jesus taught us the servant is not about his Lord (John 13:16). As the world hated our Lord, it will hate His followers (John 15:18,19). But we become people of character through hardships. We become more like Jesus, knowing Christ not only in the power of His resurrection, but in the fellowship of His sufferings (Philippians 3:10).

Suffering deepens our faith. Faith, when tested, brings about perseverance and patient endurance (Romans 5:3,4; 1 Peter 1:7). Faith is stretched and God increase grace in our lives (James 1:2,3,12).

Suffering teaches us to offer comfort. We can better identify with others in their difficulties. God is with those who suffer and equips them to better identify with others who suffer (2 Corinthians 1:3,4; Hebrews 6:12; 13:7).

Suffering makes heaven more real. Suffering deepens our satisfaction with God alone, and minimizes our satisfaction with the world (2 Corinthians 12:9,10; 4:17,18).

Suffering connects us with the saints of old. When we follow Christ, we follow Him and others in the path of suffering. Some of us have not “suffered” as others have. We may identify with the first 34 verses of Hebrews 11 that describe those who have experienced miraculous power and deliverance. In verse 35 and following, we may identify with others who suffered greatly.

Suffering spreads the gospel. The Early Church experienced explosive growth through much persecution. Stephen was stoned while Paul held his coat (Acts 7:54 through 8:3). Paul came to Christ and suffered greatly himself during his ministry (2 Corinthians 11:23-28). Jesus predicted that the Church through its persecution would be a witness (Matthew 10:17-33).

Suffering magnifies God’s grace. We have had more Christian martyrs in the past century than all of the previous centuries, and yet the Church continues to grow as never before. Tertullian in the third century said, “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.”

God is not detached from the suffering of His Church. Even in suffering, the Church is victorious. Jesus said, “I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it!” (Matthew 16:18).

Reprinted with permission from Today’s Pentecostal Evangel.