90 - Suffering in Christ

Romans 8:18 AMP

"For I consider from the standpoint of faith that the sufferings of the present life are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is about to be revealed to us and in us!"

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 AMP

"Therefore we do not become discouraged spiritless, disappointed, or afraid. Though our outer self is progressively wasting away, yet our inner self is being progressively renewed day by day. For our momentary, light distress this passing trouble is producing for us an eternal weight of glory a fullness beyond all measure surpassing all comparisons, a transcendent splendor and an endless blessedness! So we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are unseen; for the things which are visible are temporal just brief and fleeting, but the things which are invisible are everlasting and imperishable."

We hold our arms tight against our chest—focusing on a God who dwells within—who alone has the power to save.

God's words reveal an eternal perspective, an unchanging reality in Christ. Yet His perspective does not negate the suffering of our hearts and minds, but instead through it, has the power to transform us. Suffering is indeed suffering, and we experience what we experience. Recognizing our need leads us to reach out for God's saving grace, opening us to a new mindset. As Paul shares, "we were utterly weighed down, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life itself. Indeed, we felt within ourselves that we had received the sentence of death and were convinced that we would die, but this happened so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead." (2 Corinthians 1:8-9 AMP) Suffering indeed weighs heavy upon us, and we experience it full well. Even so, in our inability we come to rely on Him, because He is able.

God who is aware of all things does not make light of our difficulties. Even when the smallest things are too heavy to bear, He gives comfort through His Spirit, granting us wisdom and understanding. When our head hangs heavy and our legs tremble in fear He helps us stand, and through His power, to understand and transcend. Christ Himself in His humanity trusted in the Father. (Hebrews 2:18 AMP) "Since He suffered in being tempted, He is able to help and provide immediate assistance to those who are being tempted and exposed to suffering." He is not unaware of our sufferings. But as He overcame the world, we are called to overcome through Him.

If we perceive our suffering state of mind to be the only reality afforded us, we will continue to be held in its grip. Whether it is loss of control, security, what we have come to know and rely on; comfort, health, our belongings, situations and circumstances, our perspective won't change until we open ourselves to seeing from God's perspective. When all else is like shifting sand, God's reality stands firm and immovable. It is only through God's working hands that we can rise above. As it says, “With people as far as it depends on them it is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26 AMP)

At times we can forget that it is God alone who supplies us with strength, that He is our sustainer and deliverer. It may take life's pressing difficulties to look to Him rather than ourselves, but He is the only way. (Psalm 46:1 AMP) "God is our refuge and strength mighty and impenetrable, a very present and well-proved help in trouble." So we look to see His hands at work, and little by little our confidence in His abiding care grows. Our eyes slowly open to His reality, His vision and what He has prepared for us which He longs for us to experience, through the good, and the bad.

Let us not forget what it was like before coming to know Christ. When we suffered without an eternal hope, feeling desolate and alone. When all we had to look to was ourselves, not knowing a loving Father ready to care and guide us. Now in Christ we have a new focus, one that is not set on ourselves, but on Him. We are compelled to trust in Him because He is our salvation. Who is it we can turn to, for He has the words of eternal life. His faithfulness established throughout all time is trustworthy.

We begin to release our control, looking instead to our Heavenly Father, who takes us by His righteous right hand and guides us. God is the ultimate caregiver because He is our creator and re-creator. Trust is a daily walk, a moment to moment consciousness. Paul encourages us to pray unceasingly because our Father is a constant and His care endless. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 AMP) Rejoice always and delight in your faith; be unceasing and persistent in prayer; in every situation no matter what the circumstances be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.

Suffering isn't just about holding on. Our lives are changed revealing spiritual blessings that lift our spirits even during the most difficult times. Our minds transform to be more like Christ's mind. We are lifted up as we begin to understand His attitude through what He suffered and experienced on our behalf. He learned obedience through the things He suffered, and in sharing in His suffering we develop His attributes. Producing in us patient endurance, proven character, spiritual maturity, hope and confident assurance of our salvation. (Romans 5:3-4 AMP)

Suffering purifies us, setting us apart for His work. As it says, "whoever has suffered in the flesh being like-minded with Christ is done with intentional sin having stopped pleasing the world." (1 Peter 4:1 AMP) Godly suffering transforms our priorities, releasing priorities and desires set on this world to those set on God, His desires, His longings for us.

Even in the mists of suffering God transforms our hearts and minds in the most unbelievable way, bringing us to a place of joy. We exult in our sufferings because we trust and believe He is with us, that we are in His hands. We come to see past what only our physical eyes see, to the unseen, lifting us above the momentary. Praising God through suffering tears us away from our grip of self-dependence. It elevates our consciousness from a focus on our strength to focusing on His true strength. It instills within the confidence of His faithfulness, leading ultimately to an assurance in our eternal salvation and the perspective it yields.

Suffering can be such a personal experience that we often feel so all alone in it. But we are never alone. We not only have a God who both cares about us, and is caring for us, but we have the camaraderie of brothers and sisters who suffer in the same way. As His children, He envelopes us. In Him we move and breathe and have our being, nothing is outside His care. We will never be fully aware of the lengths He has gone to for us, or what He has invested to draw us to Himself. We are, His temple. We are, His vessels. We are, His workmanship.

We know with great confidence that God who is deeply concerned about us causes all things to work together as a plan for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose. (Romans 8:28 AMP) When our minds are set on things above, and our hearts long for the eternal and the passing of the temporary, we can assure our hearts that His hand is working to bring about His desires. And we come to find that even in our suffering, His desires, become our desires. We trust in Him, moving past any strength we feel we have or lack. For His strength far transcends our own, bringing us to a place of peace that surpasses understanding.

Even when we see no way, we know God will guide us. We believe in Him and His word, that He will take us through till the very end, to be with Him for eternity; so we step ever forward. Soon, and very soon, we will be changed, we will be made new! The momentary and transient will pass! A day is coming when we will see all things clear. We have hope and a secure confidence in our God that all will be as He says it will be and take place just as He says it will.

Yes, we will at times suffer intensely. We will feel all there is to feel, fully experiencing our humanity. Just as our Savior sweat drops of blood in going to the cross for you and me. But in it, and through it, we will come to know most assuredly that the creator of the heavens and the earth and the sea and all that is them holds us tightly, fully understanding our needs and His place as our protector. Just as He cares for the intricacies of all life, we can be confident we are secure in Him.

(Hebrews 13:5-6 AMP) “I WILL NEVER UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES DESERT YOU NOR GIVE YOU UP NOR LEAVE YOU WITHOUT SUPPORT, NOR WILL I IN ANY DEGREE LEAVE YOU HELPLESS, NOR WILL I FORSAKE OR LET YOU DOWN OR RELAX MY HOLD ON YOU ASSUREDLY NOT!” So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently say, "THE LORD IS MY HELPER IN TIME OF NEED I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?”

God is beyond capable, and His ability to take care of us, immeasurable. We will come to praise His glorious name and rejoice in His loving kindness. Suffering will not be our end. We will rise victoriously through His power. (Isaiah 40:31 AMP) "Those who wait for the LORD who expect, look for, and hope in Him will gain new strength and renew their power; they will lift up their wings and rise up close to God like eagles rising toward the sun; they will run and not become weary, they will walk and not grow tired."

Close your eyes—breathe—take a moment to be still and trust God.