Suffering yet Rejoicing 

The Christian life is not one of non-stop peace and total prosperity. We may have heard many preachers speak all kinds of blessings over people, binding all sorts of curses and challenging circumstances that Christians suffer through. These situations include poverty, illness, persecution, loneliness, joblessness, barrenness, etc. With shouts of amen and hallelujah, Christians leave such churches feeling like their sufferings have ended this time because the man of God proclaimed it with such force and power. But then Monday comes, and with the same old tribulations. Could it be because faith somehow leaked out of the Christian between Sunday and Monday morning, or is suffering just meant to be part of the Christian life?  

Jesus, in John 16:33, said that in this world, we will have trouble. In the New Testament, the word suffering is used 84 times. In the book of 1 Peter alone, the word suffering is used 17 times in reference to Christians and Christ himself. Therefore, it is nonsensical for anyone to assert that suffering should never happen to Christians, especially when our Lord that we’re to follow suffered (1 Peter 1:11, 2:21,3:18, 4:1, 4:13, 5:1). Jesus said that “a disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master” (Matthew 10:24). Then in the next verse he says, “If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they malign those of the household” (Matthew 10:25). In other words, suffering is something that we should not be surprised to receive as disciples and servants of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 4:12). 

Known Christians Who Suffered

Consider the events recorded in Foxe’s Book of Martyrs about what happened to the Apostles and other believers who followed Jesus Christ.

1. Stephen the deacon was stoned to death (Acts 7:54-8:2)
2. Peter was crucified upside down by the emperor Nero. 
3. James the Great was put to death by King Herod with a sword (Acts 12:1-2). 
4. Andrew was martyred by hanging on a cross. 
5. A Roman leader in North Africa killed Philip because his wife had converted to Christianity. 
6. Bartholomew was beaten over a long period and then crucified.
7. Matthew is believed to have been stabbed to death somewhere in Africa. 
8. Thomas was stabbed to death with a spear for his faith. 
9. Simon the Zealot was sawn in half in Persia. 
10. Philip was martyred for his faith in Jesus in modern-day Turkey by being scourged, thrown into prison, and later crucified. 
11. Judas Thadeus was killed somewhere in Turkey’s mountainous region with arrows for his faith. 
12. Matthias was stoned and then beheaded in Jerusalem. 
13. Paul was beheaded in Rome in 66 AD, around the same time as Peter. 
14. James the Less was stoned to death by the Jews in Jerusalem and finished off with a club on the head, spilling out his brains.
15. Mark, the gospel writer, was dragged on the ground to death. 
16. Jude, the brother of Jesus and writer of the book of Jude, was crucified like Jesus on a cross. 
17. Luke, the writer of the books of Luke and Acts, was hanged on an olive tree by an idolatrous priest of Greece. 
18. John, the beloved disciple and writer of the gospel of John, was thrown into a cauldron of boiling oil, but he escaped by a miracle. He was then banished to the island of Patmos. He was the only disciple who escaped a violent death. 

These men are among the most faithful, passionate, and spirit-filled Christians that ever existed, yet they suffered greatly. Truly, it is through the blood-soaked soil of martyrs like these that Christianity has made any progress today. This, all the more, emphasizes that suffering should be expected by those who desire to live a godly life (2 Timothy 3:12).  

Rejoice in Suffering

But suffering, in and of itself, is not the end. Despite the sorrows that many a suffering may bring, there are still many reasons to rejoice in Christ. Scripture teaches that those who suffer while rejoicing and worshipping in Jesus Christ will have the Spirit of glory, and God will rest upon them (1 Peter 4:14). Suffering should draw us close to our Lord. Further, whenever we endure suffering in ways that honor the Lord, we will be blessed here on earth (1 Peter 3:9) and in heaven (Matthew 5:11-12). Suffering for Christ produces endurance for the faith (Romans 5:3-4) and increases God’s grace and power in our lives (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). Because suffering brings all these blessings to saints, it is no wonder James asks us to consider it pure joy whenever we face trials of various kinds (James 1:2-4).  

For Christians, suffering leads us to depend on God (2 Corinthians 1:9). It enables us to experience the comfort of God so that we can comfort others with the comfort we’ve received (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). Suffering reminds us to look forward to our future glories of heaven (Hebrews 10:32-34). Always remember that suffering comes from our God who loves us and desires to mould us to be more like Jesus (Proverbs 3:11-12, Hebrews 12:5). Further, the sufferings that we will experience now in this life are not worth comparing with the glory that is yet to be revealed (Romans 8:18). Lastly, scripture promises that before long, we will be delivered out of suffering whether in this life or the next life (1 Peter 5:10, Psalms 34:19).  

To rejoice through suffering, we must view it as God’s tool, shaping us to experience more joy in him as he readies us for his impending return. If it were possible to have the man of God or a word of faith deliver you from all suffering, you would miss out on God’s gifts of joy and sanctification. That certainly would not be the will of God. I pray that your perspective on suffering will be renewed regardless of your tribulation. Pick a psalm and praise God through your circumstances while fighting hard so as not to forget the never-ending joy found in Christ (1 Peter 1:3-6, Psalm 103:1-5).