I've been reading in Philippians, 1 Peter, and James a lot recently, and together that makes for a lot of reading about trials and suffering. I felt led to share what I've been learning:
Thoughts on suffering:
1. Through perseverance, trials and suffering make us mature and complete. (James 1:2-4 // Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its perfect work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.)
2. To suffer trials proves our faith to be genuine and results in praise, honor, and glory for God. (1 Peter 1:6-7 // In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that you faith - of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire - may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus is revealed.)
3. Paul's trials resulted in encouragement for other believers to speak more boldly of Christ, so more people heard of Christ. (Philippians 1:12-14 // Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the Gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the Word of God more courageously and fearlessly.)
4. Suffering kills the desire for sin and increases the desire for God. (1 Peter 4:1-2 // Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. As a result, he does not life for the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.)
5. If you suffer for what is right, you are blessed. (1 Peter 3:14 // But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. )
Call me crazy, but I actually think America could use a few trials, or go through some suffering. All these things sound like things the American church desperately need (besides maybe the need to be blessed.. we're pretty blessed as it is). Just think of underground churches like the Chinese church, who all seem to be so much more genuine and passionate than the American church. Call me crazy, but I think it's because of the suffering they are enduring. Call me crazy, but I think we could all use a little suffering, or maybe even a lot of suffering.
Suffering is hard. But when we suffer, we are still expected to be Christlike. Here's what the Bible says about how we should act when we're suffering and going through trials.
1. We are to rejoice in our sufferings and praise God. (1 Peter 4:13 // But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. // James 1:2 // Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds...)
2. We are to have the same attitude as Christ (1 Peter 4:1 // Therefore, since Christ suffered in His body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin.), entrusting ourselves to God and not retaliating against anyone who might be persecuting us (1 Peter 2:23 // When they hurled their insults at Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, he made no threats instead, he entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.)
3. We are to be committed to God even in trials and continue to do good even when facing suffering and hardships (1 Peter 4:19 // So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.)
4. Whatever happens, we must conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of Christ. (Philippians 1:27 // Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.)
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