Prosperity preachers don’t last long in countries where there is persecution. They usually just leave.” That quote by Ajith Fernando from his book The Call to Joy and Pain captures two realities of the Christian faith: (1) Jesus suffered; (2) those who believe in Him will suffer too.
Unlike “health and wealth” false teachers, Jesus taught that suffering was something God uses for our good. In Hebrews 2:10, the writer states that Jesus became “through His suffering, a perfect leader.” This doesn’t mean that Jesus wasn’t already perfect, for He is God the Son. It does point out, however, that death allowed Him to intimately know the final stage of human experience—giving Him an even more perfect ability to identify with our struggles (5:8).
The apostle Paul experienced the perfecting process of pain. He prayed three times for God to remove something that was tormenting him. But God allowed it to persist, saying, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). Paul’s response? “That’s why I take pleasure in . . . [suffering] for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (v.10).
Jesus is able to identify with us and help us because of the hardships He endured. “Since He Himself has gone through suffering and testing, He is able to help us when we are being tested” (Hebrews 2:18). He “understands our weaknesses, for He faced all of the same testings we do” (4:15).
Are you experiencing suffering? Don’t fight against it as one who has no hope. Don’t believe the lies of false teachers who wrongly say, “You simply need more faith to overcome your struggles.”
Instead, embrace your suffering as a gift from God—being used to perfect you and your faith in Him (12:2).
More:
• Job 23:10
• Philippians 3:10
• 1 Peter 1:6-7
Next:
What is God teaching you through your suffering? How can you experience joy and victory even as you’re going through hard times?
isabelle on September 22, 2009 at 6:27 am
Sometimes I cannot understand why the people who hurts me most are the people dearest to me. And, Jesus was betrayed by one of his disciple, the one He trusted……..
I am very sure our good Lord understands our hurts.
joyce on September 24, 2009 at 11:51 am
It angers me when I think of sad individuals who believe in the prosperity teachings. Their sufferings are compounded by the guilt of not having enough faith to bring on prosperity. (Jesus himself was a carpenter who had no place to rest His head!) The prosperity teachings also dishonor God by treating Him like a candy machine that should do our bidding.
Jesus came to suffer and die. He was a man of sorrow, and He called us to bear His cross. As you said, the Christian life is not a life without pain. I am often tempted to throw the biggest pity party with me, myself, and I, and I drag my whole family with me. But I as I look at each crisis, I see clearer how Jesus voluntarily submitted to suffering on my behalf, and my love for Him deepens. Moreover, through the crises, I see things about myself that could improve or I see how I could have handled others’ sin in a more godly manner. So when I face a trial now, I am starting to ask “what is my take-away from this?”
We are being perfected until the day of Christ, and that does not come without prodding and pain. James 1:3-4 says to be joyful when trials come because in the end we will be perfect, lacking nothing.
It is unheathy to look for suffering, but it is healthy to embrace and accept suffering that comes, as you said, trusting that God knows what He is doing, and that because He loves us, He will work all things for good from the eternal, not material, perspective.
learning2serv on September 25, 2009 at 11:09 am
Earlier in my Christian walk, one of the phrases that stands out in my mind is “In the world you will have tribulation…” (from John 16:33). It stuck with me as few scriptures have.
1 year into my military career, I was almost discharged. But God kept me.
7 years into my walk with Christ, 5 years into our marriage, my wife was diagnosed with Sarcoidosis, a rare pulmonary disorder. Shortly thereafter I was informed that I had a degenerative joint disorder (which turned out to be osteoarthritis).
5 years later, my wife’s condition progressed to the place of needing a double lung transplant – pulling me from theater in Iraq and signaling the end to my military career. My wife was living in chronic pain and on oxygen 24 hours, we were refused 3 times to be seen for even the possibility of a transplant. I dove headlong into depression.
I sit here in silent awe of the Lord I serve, tears streaming down my face. It is one thing to believe He will deliver us out of our afflictions, but another to experience it.
I sit here, retired from the military, 8 years earlier than I expected. In chronic pain, but retired. That was God’s fulfillment of a promise made 9 years before it happened.
My wife is out getting her hair done for the first time in months. That’s because for the past three months she’s been in recovery for a double lung transplant.
And as I sit her in silent awe of the God I serve, who suffered for me so that He would know how I’d feel 2000 years later, my own pain is as nothing knowing that He did suffer, and that He will deliver.
And if He doesn’t deliver me from the pain in this body, this light affliction, I know there is a far greater weight of glory waiting for me.
I will share this story where I go, and I thank you, Tom, for reminding me of God’s perfect plan for suffering.
tom felten on September 25, 2009 at 12:34 pm
learning2serv,
Your story is truly inspiring! Your worship of God, even as you endure chronic pain, shouts loudly the reality of a living faith in Jesus. May He continue to give you hope and peace as you trust in Him. Thank you for blessing me and so many others around the world with your story!