CHRISTIANS AND SUFFERING
The apostle John writes in Revelation 1:9 that he was a companion in tribulation, in the kingdom, and in patience in Jesus. From the very beginning of the church, God has made it clear: every true believer will face trouble and suffering in this world. The Holy Spirit warned Paul that prison and afflictions waited for him in every city (Acts 20:23). No child of God is promised an easy path. Tribulation comes to all who follow Jesus.
The suffering of believers is different from the suffering of those who do not know God. For the unbeliever, trouble is part of God’s just punishment for sin (Romans 2:9). For the child of God, trouble is never punishment. Jesus has already borne all our punishment on the cross. Instead, God uses trials to train us, to test and strengthen our faith, and to prepare us for the eternal glory that is coming (2 Corinthians 4:17).These troubles are light and only for a moment when we see them with the eyes of faith. Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ—not tribulation, not distress, not persecution, not hunger, not danger, not sword (Romans 8:35). Paul experienced great suffering, yet the Lord always delivered him (2 Timothy 3:11). The same Lord will carry every believer through every trial when we trust Him and rest on His strength.
God has several clear purposes when He allows suffering in the lives of His children:
– Tribulation teaches patience and endurance (Romans 5:3; Romans 12:12; 2 Corinthians 6:4).
– Our suffering comforts and encourages other believers (2 Corinthians 1:6; 1 Peter 5:9).
– Tribulation is a test that shows the true condition of our faith (2 Corinthians 8:2).
– Those who remain faithful will receive the crown of life (Revelation 2:10).
One common form of tribulation is Hatred from the world.
Jesus plainly warned His followers: Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake (Matthew 24:9).
People hate Christians because we live by God’s standards, not by the world’s ideas. God’s ways are completely opposite to the ways of the world (2 Corinthians 6:14). God commands us not to take part in the world’s sinful thinking and behavior (Ephesians 5:7, 11).Therefore, every believer must examine his or her life carefully. If a person who claims to follow Jesus is loved and praised by wicked and dishonest people, something is wrong. A true Christian will always face opposition in this world. Jesus said, “If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own. But because you are not of the world, … the world hates you” (John 15:19).Yet Jesus also gave this promise: “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). The world’s hatred cannot destroy the child of God. Trouble cannot defeat us when we stand firm in Christ.
How we must respond when tribulation comes:
– We must not be surprised or lose courage when hardship comes (1 Peter 4:12).
– We must not grow discouraged when we see other believers suffer (Ephesians 3:13).
– We must never shrink back or give in to the pressure of the world. If anyone turns away from Christ because of trouble, that person has not yet learned to depend fully on God’s strength. Instead, we are called to keep following the Lord with boldness and joy. We are to stand firm, knowing that God is working in every trial.
– We must also help one another. When brothers and sisters face hardship, we should do everything we can to help and encourage them. Paul thanked the Philippian church because they shared with him in his affliction (Philippians 4:14). Helping suffering believers is an act of love that pleases God.
A final encouragement: Tribulation comes to everyone in this world.
Do not think that trouble comes only to the poor or only to Christians. The Word of God shows that rich people also face great misery in this life (James 5:1). Hardship comes to every person—believer and unbeliever, rich and poor. When Christians understand this truth, we can face trials with peace and confidence. We know that suffering is not a sign that God has forgotten us. It is simply part of life in a fallen world, and God is using it for our good and for His glory.
So let every believer take heart. The troubles of this life are temporary. Jesus has overcome the world. He will carry us through every trial, and one day He will bring us safely into His eternal kingdom where there will be no more suffering, no more hatred, and no more pain.
(to be continued)