One thing you notice as you read through the New Testament, especially the writings of Paul, is that suffering is part of God’s curriculum for the Christian. It’s one of His tools to shape you. So if you think, Now that I’m a Christian, life will be perfect, you haven’t spent much time in the New Testament.
And yet, whole theologies have been built around the idea that if you’re a child of the King, you can say, “I bind suffering and pain in my life.” If you bind pain in your life, you’re binding God’s will out of your life.
Paul asked God three times to take away his thorn in the flesh. If anybody had apostolic authority to walk in health, it would be Paul. But God told him, “My grace is sufficient for you” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
I want you to hear this: The pain and difficulties that you are suffering are not accidents—they’re divine appointments. They’re often there by God’s will.
Paul called God “the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).
You’re going to meet people who are experiencing what you’ve already experienced. And you’ll be able to put your arm around them and minister to them out of your brokenness rather than out of your abundance. When somebody hasn’t suffered much, I don’t feel they have a message for me. But when somebody has suffered in the will of God, by the grace of God, with the comfort of God, I’m all ears.
God allows our suffering so we can comfort others. “For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation” (vv. 5-6).
Trials and suffering are no respecters of persons. From the brand-new Christian to the seasoned believer who has walked with Christ for years or decades, every single Christian will experience suffering.
But note these words in verse 3, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” That’s important. You’ve heard the old saying, “Prayer changes things.” I think praise also changes things. When, in the midst of your suffering, you turn toward praise, even though you don’t feel like it, it shifts your perspective, like in Acts 16:25 when Paul and Silas were imprisoned.
We have the wrong perspective when we make our problems and issues so large that we push God away, making Him small. Faith brings Him up close—and praise ignites faith. This is why it’s so important to meet together with other believers to praise and worship. It’s a perspective adjustment.
Please don’t misunderstand. When you’re suffering, yes, ask God for deliverance. And yes, ask others to pray for you. God always delivers His children. It’s not always the way we want Him to. It’s not our way. But it’s always the best way.
As Isaiah wrote, “‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,’ says the Lord. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts'” (Isaiah 55:8-9).
