Most see suffering as something to pray away or avoid. It feels negative to even talk about it for many saints. What do you believe? Consider that God designed all things to work for us, including suffering, though Satan’s desire is that tribulation will discourage and shipwreck us. Romans 5:3-5 is a process which continually works for us as we encounter any kind of difficulties: “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” Romans 8:18, 28 also addresses suffering: “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us… And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Paul’s epistles teach us how sufferings can work for our good in life. His personal walk of faith provides additional insights into handling afflictions: “For I will shew him (Paul) how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.” (Acts 9:16) To Do: Study some of his sufferings in 2 Corinthians 11:21-29.
Paul had a sincere confidence, expectant that through the challenges he went through, Christ’s life would be made manifest: “According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.” (Phil. 1:20) This is built upon the foundation found in Romans. It summarizes the confidence we’re to have in God to enable and empower us in any experience. From minor tribulation to even the sword (death), we can trust our Father: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, of famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword… Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” (Rom 8:35-37) Patient endurance works the doctrine in us and teaches how to be faithful women, relying on God and His power and wisdom rather than ourselves, staying set for the defense of the gospel so Christ is magnified: “But I would ye should understand brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.”(Phil. 1:12-14) Dear sisters, be “stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord;” thankful unto God who gave us “the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ,” in all things, including suffering. (I Corinthians 15:57-58)