Suffering in Christ

To share in Christ's suffering means that the hardships we endure as believers can deepen our fellowship with Jesus and align us with his redemptive work. It does not mean our suffering atones for sin, as Christ already accomplished salvation through his perfect sacrifice on the cross. Instead, our trials serve to build our character, increase our reliance on God, and prepare us for eternal glory.

Key scripture

"And if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him" (Romans 8:17, ESV).

Devotion

The pain comes, and you wonder, "Why?" You see others who do not follow Christ living seemingly carefree lives, while you face a world filled with tribulations and hardships. In these moments, it is easy to feel betrayed or forgotten by God. But as the Apostle Peter reminds us, suffering for our faith is not a strange or foreign experience. In fact, it is an invitation to draw closer to the one who truly knows our pain.

Jesus was "a man of sorrows, and familiar with pain" (Isaiah 53:3). He did not simply descend to earth to live a life of comfort. He entered into our broken world, experiencing grief, rejection, and immense physical and emotional anguish. The cross was not an accident; it was God's plan from the beginning, the ultimate display of grace to overcome our suffering and sin. Because Jesus endured the cross, he is able to empathize completely with our weaknesses.

So, when you feel that sting of rejection for speaking the truth, when your body is wracked with pain, when you are diagnosed with a serious disease, or when loneliness and/or life in general feels all-consuming, remember that Jesus experienced all of this and more. By patiently enduring these trials, you are following in his footsteps and sharing in his sufferings. This intimate fellowship with Christ deepens our relationship with him, conforming us to his image and sanctifying our souls.

This is not a call to self-pity but to courage. Paul writes that our "light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison" (2 Corinthians 4:17). Our hope is not that our circumstances will change but that we will be changed by our circumstances. God uses the fiery trials of this life to refine our faith, building perseverance and character that will not disappoint. He promises that after we have suffered a little while, he himself "will restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast" (1 Peter 5:10).

Reflection questions

• What is the specific area of suffering in your life right now?
• How can focusing on Christ's suffering help you reframe your own pain?
• In what ways has God used past suffering to strengthen your faith and produce perseverance?
•  How have you seen God's glory revealed through your suffering or the suffering of others?
• In what ways can you serve others and point them to Christ, even in the midst of your own pain?

Why God allows believers to suffer: Refining Fire, Understanding Suffering in the Life of a Christian

1 Peter 1:6-7 "In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."

Have you ever wondered why God allows Christians to suffer? It is a question that has puzzled believers for centuries. We see in Scripture that many righteous people faced immense hardships, and it seems counterintuitive that God would allow such suffering. The Bible teaches us that suffering can serve a purpose in the life of a Christian. In 1 Peter 1:6-7, Peter writes that trials refine our faith, making it more genuine and worthy of praise. Just as gold is purified in the fire, our faith is strengthened and proven genuine through adversity.

Suffering can also draw us closer to God. In times of hardship, we often turn to Him in desperation, seeking comfort and guidance. This deepens our relationship with Him and fosters a greater dependence on His strength. Moreover, suffering gives us empathy and compassion for others who are going through similar struggles. As we walk through the fire, we learn to sympathize with those around us, becoming more effective witnesses for Christ.

Faith in the Fire

“For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'" (Galatians 5:13-14)

When we face intense suffering, our instinct may be to retreat, to hide from the world and protect ourselves from further pain. However, in those moments, we have a unique opportunity to reveal God's glory to others. By choosing to remain faithful, to trust in His goodness, and to serve others despite our struggles, we display a powerful witness to those around us. Consider the story of Job, who lost everything his family, his health, and his livelihood. Yet, during unimaginable suffering, he declared, _"Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him" (Job 13:15). Job's faithfulness in suffering pointed others to the God he worshipped, a God of sovereignty and redemption. When we endure hardship with faith, hope, and love, we demonstrate the transformative power of the gospel. Our steadfastness shows others that our hope is not in this life alone but in the eternal promises of God. This witness can draw others to Christ, as they see the peace, joy, and resilience that come from trusting Him.

Application:

1.    Trust God's sovereignty: Even in the midst of suffering, trust that God is working everything out for your good (Romans 8:28).

2.    Refine your faith: View trials as opportunities for growth, and ask God to reveal areas where your faith needs strengthening.

3.    Seek comfort in Scripture: Meditate on passages like Psalm 23, Isaiah 43:2, and 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, which offer hope and reassurance in times of hardship.

4.    Support others: As you go through trials, look for ways to minister to others who may be facing similar challenges.

May this devotion encourage you to trust God's goodness, even in the midst of hardship. Let us now spend some time in prayer with our Heavenly Father.

Prayer

Gracious God, thank you for sending your Son, Jesus, who did not turn away from suffering but embraced it for our sake. Forgive us for our impatience and our doubt during our pain. Remind us, Lord, that when we feel most alone, you are with us. When we feel overwhelmed, you are our strength. Help us to endure our trials with the same patience and trust that Jesus displayed. Use our pain for your purpose, to build our character and deepen our faith, so that one day we may share in your eternal glory. Please Lord use any illness, disability, every pain, and trial we may cope with to bring glory and praise to your name. We pray that any difficulties that we face will humble our hearts and make us more conscious of the love you have for us. We pray that it draws us closer to you. We pray that it makes us more aware of how much we need you Lord for the strength, courage, and ability to get through this sinful world. Lord, we hope that the way we respond to our situation will show others that our endurance does come from the most high, the wonderful, amazing, and powerful one true God. We pray that our actions will show that as we are going through this life along side our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ that it is He who carries us when we are weary. Lord, we thank you for the medical doctors that have been given the knowledge and access to research, to find disease treatments and cures and we ask that you be with them to open their eyes even more. Lord, we thank you for the answered prayers we have received repeatedly and also for the unanswered prayers when you chose to protect us from ourselves. We thank you for the blessings you give to us that we did not even realize we needed but you knew. We thank you for all the prayer warriors that day after day continue to pray for us and for so many others. We give you all the honor and the glory for the wonderful results of those prayers. Lord, we ask you to be with those that are going through sad and difficult times. Lay your hand on them and give them the peace they need. Lord just wrap them in your arms and hold them close so they can feel your presence. We pray that they will glorify you by giving their situation over to you and rely on you to give them the strength they need to get through it. Please continue to use us and our situation to draw others closer to you and to draw ourselves closer to you too Lord. Without you in our heart, without you in our lives we would not be able to get through any of this world. So, thank you Lord for never forsaking us and for always being beside us. We turn our life over to you Lord, you know the reasons behind what we are experiencing, you know the greater meaning of our lives. We know that you work all things to good for those who love you and have been called to your purpose Romans 8:28. We pray and ask for you to give us the insight, wisdom and discernment to recognize, acknowledge and proceed in the way you want us to go. Give us the patience to endure whatever we must, the courage to face whatever life gives us according to your Word, the strength to hope for a brighter tomorrow and the love to share with others our testimony and give us the words to share The Gospel of Jesus Christ with others. We ask all of this in the precious, and mighty name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen