Christian Suffering (II Cor 4:16-18)

—

by

Robert Piña
in

Introduction: Every person in this lifetime will suffer at one point or another. We all have trials, tribulations, sufferings, hardships, etc. Your suffering might be physical, emotional, mentally or financial. Many times the reaction of the Christian is to ask God why? Instead of asking why me or why us? No doubt God is trying to teach us something and He is trying to accomplish His purpose through our sufferings. We see suffering as a bad thing and yet God uses it to draw us closer to Him. Isaiah 55:8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord”. 

When we Suffer:

  1. We get in the Word of God– Psalm 119:67, 71 (I asked a woman yesterday, do you have a Bible, yes. Do you read it? I just don’t have time, I’m very busy). Suffering is good because although we are very busy, we make time to get in this Bible and learn of God. When our life is dry spiritually, a little suffering will cause us to thirst for God. 
  1. We get Focused on Eternity– II Corinthians 4:16-18 Suffering will cause us to get heavenly minded. Our afflictions will get us thinking on eternity which is much better than this earth.
  • In light of heaven, our afflictions are light. 
  • Our eyes must be focused on the eternal (incorruptible) not on the temporal (corruptible). Romans 8:18 “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us”.  
  1. We Bring Glory to God– II Corinthians 12:7-10/ John 11:1-4 (David, always praising God for good or bad health during his cancer). We are so used to bringing glory to ourselves. Proverbs 20:6 “Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?” This infirmity had a purpose in Paul’s life, that the power of Christ may be demonstrated and clearly seen in his life. Paul knew that his weakness would bring glory to God. II Corinthians 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us”. 
  1. We get to Know God Personally-Philippians 3:7-10 Jesus Christ didn’t have a place to lay his head. No home. Many people didn’t like him, they cursed him, they lashed him, cursed him, spit upon him, and eventually crucified him. Jeremiah 9:24 “But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord”. 
  1. Our Faith Grows– II Thessalonians 1:1-5 God will use suffering to test our faith and make us grow spiritually. God wants to know how we will act and react to suffering. God wants to make our faith stronger and suffering accomplishes just that. When suffering comes, it will either make us or break us. If it doesn’t break us, it will make us stronger. If we accept the suffering, yield to God’s will, and continue to stand true, then the suffering will cause us to grow. This church was an example to other churches in how they handled persecutions, difficulties, pressures, and tribulations. I Peter 4:12-13, 5:10. 
  1. We Pray Fervently– Hebrews 4:14-16 “come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need”. James 5:16 “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous an availeth much”. Romans 12:12 “Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer”. 
  1. We get Cleaned Up– I Peter 4:1-2 God wants us to be Holy like he is Holy. Sometimes it takes a little suffering to get us looking in the right direction. II Timothy 3:12 “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus hall suffer persecution”. 

Conclusion: All of these things are great things for the believer however, none of these will happen unless a person goes through some suffering. 

We may not like it when we suffer however, we must trust God whether we understand his purpose or not. If we trust God, our suffering will cause us to grow spiritually. If we resist our suffering, we will not learn what God is trying to teach us and will weaken our testimony.