What is the Destiny To Suffering?

(This is the final article in the series : A Scriptural Response To Suffering)

Photo Courtesy : DesiringGod

In Part 1 and 2 of the Suffering Series , we looked at the theology of Suffering and the examples of saints who went through Suffering. Suffering is inevitable in this world. It is expected as part of leading a Christian life in this world. Christ says - “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). The basic understanding we need to have is that, suffering is the consequence of our fallen world. It was not part of the original creation as we see in Genesis 1:31 where everything God created was good but sin changed the destiny of everything. Sin corrupted us and made us fragile. We cannot erase suffering from this world till we are taken up so then what is the option in front of us? We need to let Scripture train us on how to respond to suffering. Now let us look at some practical lessons we can learn from suffering that can equip and empower us.

1. Suffering can be a training period for us.

As Christians, we should view suffering as a time of training/discipline from God. Hebrews 12:5-6 says - "My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child." The writer of Hebrews quotes Proverbs 3:11-12 and tries to say that trials and tribulations are ways God uses to discipline whom he loves. It is a solid evidence of God’s love for us. A very practical example which we all know is how parents discipline their children. I know the feeling very well since I am a parent.

Children hate to be disciplined but thinking from a parental perspective, it is essential to correct our children when they go wrong or even before they fall into a trap. Proverbs 22:6 says – “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.” Sometimes warnings are good enough but other times, strict disciplinary actions need to be taken which will work for their best interest in long term.

God disciplines us for good and the ultimate reason is that we may share in his holiness. Even though suffering may seem painful, it proves to be worth if we think from an eternal perspective as the Spirit uses that time to transform us and sanctify us. I would like to use an analogy about a highway with a construction zone to describe our Christian life on this earth.

If you are a person who speeds well on a highway, a construction zone is more than enough to lose your patience. But we know that maintenance of roads is necessary to preserve the strength and quality of roads. If roads are not maintained properly, eventually it will hit us as we will have to bear the cost in wear and tear of our vehicle. In the same way, every trial and suffering is a time for maintenance in our life so that the genuineness of our faith result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed(1 Peter 1:7) .

2. Suffering makes us closer to God

If we read the biographies of missionaries (which I recommend to everyone), one thing that stands out is that – Sufferings made them closer to God than any other time. When we go through trials and tribulations, we come to the understanding that all our earthly securities have a limit and empties us of what we hang on. Rather it forces us to look into the Word of God and find comfort in God alone. Psalms 46:1 says – "God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble." When Paul asked three times to the Lord in prayer to remove the thorn from his flesh, God's response was “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Complete trust in God is the Christian behavior expected during times of tribulation. Hebrews 4:15-16 says – "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

We serve a high priest who was tempted in everything but without sin so there is no better person than our God to put our trust in and He will bestow his mercy and grace that we need to persevere through times of trials. Romans 5:3 says - "Suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." The final hope is that Christ will come again and glorify us where we would be delivered from the presence of sin forever.

3. Suffering proves that something better awaits us.

The Bible teaches us that sufferings works for our eternal good. Something better is in store for us and that is not in this world but in eternity. One of the most famous verses quoted by every Christian in times of suffering is Romans 8:28 - “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” In midst of all the sufferings Paul experienced, he was certainly hopeful that those were not worth comparing with the future glory that is yet to be revealed. (Romans 8:18).

The future glory gave him a hope that the sufferings he faced were temporal. And that should be our mindset too when sufferings hit us. It refers to every situation and circumstances we pass through whether it be good or bad. No matter if we are in life’s darkest moments or the brightest moments, God is at work and he is sovereign over everything that happens in our life. God uses our circumstances to shape us into a better image that conforms to his Son.

The phrase, “for the good” should be seen from an eternal perspective rather than from a temporal/earthly viewpoint. Our best life is not now but in eternity so we need to be cautious about prosperity preaching. When someone says that the will of God for all believers is to prosper and be rich here, then remember that is another gospel which is being preached and we should discern such teaching. Does that mean all believers should live in poverty and the will of God is always to suffer? Not at all. Biblical teaching is always balanced and we should be cautious of extremes. We may get healing and we may get rich in this world but that is not the end goal of a Christian in this world. In other words, material riches should not be a concern for a Christian.

Riches in this world doesn’t determine our eternity. The chief end is to enjoy God forever and please him in holiness. New Testament clearly teaches that we are not of this world and to set our minds on things that are above. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 says – “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” So when we go through suffering, our eyes should be on what is eternal and not on the temporal things of the world.

Finally I would like to conclude by quoting a verse from James 1:2-4 - “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." I know it is easier said than done. But whenever hills or barriers appear in our life, remember that there is a God who will never leave us nor forsake us. He never sleeps nor slumbers but he is always at work. There is no condemnation for us who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1) and no trial, suffering or pain in this world will be able to separate us from the love of Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:39).

Our God is sanctifying us through every test we face so that it will produce steadfastness and we will eventually be glorified in eternity where there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, as the old order of things will be passed away. We talked about the heroes of faith and how they responded to suffering in their lives. Yet they didn’t receive what had been promised here on earth. Hebrews 11:39-40 says – “These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, 40 since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.”

So remember the three things that suffering teaches us :-

a. Suffering is a time of discipline. b. Suffering makes us closer to God. c. Suffering proves that something better awaits us. The eternal glory is the destiny to suffering where God is working through all things whether good or bad. So let us fix our hope in God alone and rely on the Holy Spirit who helps us endure to the end.