Ready for an encouraging word? Here it is: Suffering is inevitable. No, that’s not the encouraging part, but I’m sure I have your attention now. Suffering is a certainty of life. Perhaps you recall Benjamin Franklin’s famous quote: “Nothing is certain except death and taxes.” Death, and taxes for that matter, imply inevitable sufferings. Yes, all of our individual lives will be shaken in various ways, often in unique circumstances. But how will you take on these moments of hurt and sorrow? What will you do with them? How will you overcome?
About a year ago, when the conflict between Russia and Ukraine hit a crescendo, the Christian Chronicle had a piece on our brothers and sisters in Ukraine. In that article, Ukrainian minister Dmitiri Grischuk is highlighted. Grischuk heads up a ministry called Let’s Love Good News which works to serve Ukrainians who have been displaced. Here’s a very moving quote from this article: “As Ukraine and Russia battle over political borders, ‘God is expanding the borders of his glory’ Grischuk said. As they serve, Christians have learned ‘what it means to trust God.’”
God is expanding the borders of his glory. That’s what suffering allows, for the glory of God to be displayed in the bad times as it is displayed in the good times. God’s glory is not limited to times of triumph. God can be seen arguably even more when the light is shining in dark times.
Paul often talks of God’s glory displayed in the Christian’s suffering. For example, in Colossians 1:24, written from a prison cell, Paul says, “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church.” Paul sees the suffering for Christ, in a similar vein as Jesus, is his opportunity to serve the church through his suffering. Through his hardship, Paul knows that the glory of God and His gospel will be displayed. He knows that the glorious works of Christ will be displayed in His suffering (v. 27-29). Paul expresses a similar thought in 2 Corinthians 12:10 and Romans 5:3, while other first century Christians express similar sentiments, that God will be glorified in suffering (Acts 5:41, Hebrews 10:34, James 1:2-4, and 1 Peter 4:13, just to name few).
It would be a lie to say that suffering will not happen. Even more so, it is deceiving to suggest that life will be any easier for the Christian. Actually, the Bible promises the opposite. As Jesus tells his followers in John 16:33, “In the world there will be tribulation…” Tribulation is what we see when we only focus on the present. But Jesus does not stop with temporal focus. Instead He continues, “But take heart, I have overcome the world!”
Family, embrace the hard times. Pain, sorrow, suffering, and hurt will come, but rejoice, because God can be glorified in your trials and God will guide you through those trials to an eternal glory where there will be no tears, no pain, no suffering, and no sorrow. Praise and Glory be to Him!
Jared McLeod
