By: Orean Brown
There is no problem in life more universal, more common, and more unique than that of suffering. It is a common problem of mankind; if we live long enough, we will experience some type or degree of suffering. The willingness to suffer for the cause of Christ is not a bug, but a feature of the Christian’s worldview. We realize that this is not, in itself, a selling point that would immediately cause people to flock to Jesus Christ. No one likes to suffer, and most are not willing to suffer if they don’t understand why. However, everyone is willing to suffer something when they understand that the suffering is for something that they consider to be of greater value or toward a purpose they deem significant. Parents will suffer for their children. Friends will suffer for one another. Soldiers will suffer for their country. Many are even willing to suffer for animals and pets. There is no doubt that people are willing to suffer. The question is whether or not we truly understand the cause of Jesus Christ and why commitment to Him is everything. Once we do, then the willingness to suffer for Him should be a foregone conclusion. We will be willing to give everything. Here, then, was Paul’s attitude about it: “But everything that was a gain to me, I have considered to be a loss because of Christ. More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them as dung, so that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own from the law, but one that is through faith in Christ—the righteousness from God based on faith. My goal is to know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, being conformed to his death, assuming that I will somehow reach the resurrection from among the dead” (Philippians 3:7-11). Since suffering is a part of our Christian walk we need to develop and learn complete dependence on God. If there is ever a time in life when men tend to turn to God, it is when they suffer. We certainly learn this principle from the study of God’s word. Great men of the Bible always turned to God and leaned on him when suffering came. I believe this is the great lesson in the Book of Job. In severe suffering Job “did not sin with his lips” (Job 1:10). Neither did he “charge God foolishly” (Job 1:22), but worshiped Jehovah. He knew God was his redeemer (Job 9:25) and that God would vindicate his cause. This was also a quality of Daniel; when problems and threats of death came, he trusted in God for his help (Daniel 6:10-11). And he walked into that den of lions believing God would win the victory for him. And by complete dependence on God, the victory was won (Daniel 6:22-23). Paul was given a thorn in the flesh. God did not send this suffering; the devil did. And God did not remove it but gave Paul the grace to bear it (II Corinthians 12:7-9). I believe it was complete dependence on God that enabled this great apostle to bear up under this and all other problems of suffering he encountered. And this is the “bottom line” for you and me. When suffering comes, we should certainly turn to God, put our complete dependence on him, and say, “Lord, it is in your hands, I have no other source to which I can turn but you, and may thy will be done.” And what a great source of help, comfort, and strength he can and will bestow on us in times of trouble. “The Lord is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalms 46:1). Furthermore, since suffering as a Christian is universal, we can learn to rely on our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ for not only for support but also prayers to God. In times of severe pain and stress, when the way looks exceedingly dark and drear, what a comfort it is to know of the love, concern, and prayers of our brethren in Christ. It is at these times that we learn what real love, support, and encouragement are all about. I am sure this is how Peter felt when he learned that while he was in prison, with all his sufferings and uncertainties, “prayer was made earnestly of the church unto God for him” (Acts 12:5). Another great benefit we can derive from suffering and trying times is the support of family. There is no greater source of strength and help than a faithful loving husband or wife by your side. And to see them patiently bear up under the long hours of concern and care, never wavering, but always there, cannot be surpassed as a genuine source of benefit and encouragement to one so dependent on others. This, along with children patiently encouraging and helping, makes what seem like unbearable times so much easier. Yes, we can certainly learn of the benefits of a faithful spouse and children in our times of problems and suffering. Yes, suffering is the common lot of mankind. And in suffering, we can learn things learned nowhere else. We can learn a deeper and more abiding faith in God and a more humble trust in him. And despite the suffering of this world, we can cast all our cares on him knowing that he cares for us (I Peter 5:7). And in turning it all over to him and waiting on him, always believing he will work things out to our ultimate good, we will win. And finally, may we learn what the Spirit said to the church at Smyrna, “Fear not the things thou are about to suffer, behold, the devil (the source of suffering) is about to cast some of you in prison, that you may be tried; and shall have tribulation ten days (a short but definite period of time). Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give you a crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).