WHY DO CHRISTIANS SUFFER?
"Why do I have to suffer?" Never before have so many people asked this probing question! Though the standard of living is higher than ever before, and though there is so much available today to insulate us from suffering, the complaint is heard again and again. Perhaps we are less willing to copy, perhaps we are pround and feel that we deserve better, or maybe we are just complainers! In any case the Bible has a great deal to say about suffering, and it is our intent to suggest 22 reasons why the Christian suffers. One reason should suffice, yet it is God's intent in the Bible to overwhelm us with His comfort, purpose and security through our suffering.
1. Suffering is the natural effect of sin in the world - Romans 3:23
2. Suffering is the consequence of human frailty that all share - Romans 8:22
3. Suffering promotes a willingness to learn spiritually - Psalm 119:67-71
4. Suffering teaches trust and reliance upon God and not mankind - Psalm 40:4
5. Suffering redirects the believer's attention and purpose - Hebrews 12:6-11
6. Suffering is used by God to stimulate growth and maturity - John 15:1-2
7. Suffering is a calling for followers of Christ - 1 Peter 2:21
8. Suffering identifies and conforms the believer into the image of Christ - 1 Peter 4:13
9. Suffering redirects one's attention from the earthly to heavenly - Romans 8:18
10. Suffering promotes humility - 1 Peter 5:6-9
11. Suffering is used to mold and perfect the saint - Romans 9:21-23
12. Suffering teaches patience to wait on the Lord - Romans 5:3-5
13. Suffering endured brings praise, honor and glory to the Lord - 1 Peter 1:7
14. Suffering silences the enemies of the believer - 1 Peter 3:13-16
15. Suffering provides a ministry towards others who suffer - 2 Cor. 1:3-6
16. Suffering strengthens the believer's faith - 1 Peter 5:10
17. Suffering is a source of future reward and blessing - Matthew 5:10-12
18. Suffering illustrates divine ownership - Romans 9:20-23
19. Suffering is usually a small part of God's overall plan - Romans 11:33-34
20. Suffering was the common experience of Christians in every era since Christ - Matthew 10
21. Suffering prepares the believer for future service - 1 Peter 4:14
22. Suffering develops character within the believer - Hebrews 12:11
23. Suffering is a source of divine power - 2 Cor. 12:9
24. Suffering is used by God to further the Gospel message - Phil. 1:12
25. Suffering perfects, grounds and establishes the believer in the Christian life - 1 Peter 5:10
Philippians deals with the anxiety and depression that often result from suffering. Read the entire book of Philippians repeatedly and underline specific verses to help in your time of trail. Memorize key texts such as verses 4-7 in Chapter 4. Quote them upon rising each morning and retiring each evening. As you read this book and apply the following principles, you will discover that victory over depression is largely a matter of changing our thinking and attitude toward the circumstances of life.
1. Acceptance-Philippians 4:4. The circumstances of life are not accidental but providential. React positively to your circumstances, knowing they are not a punishment but an opportunity to grow! We will never know happiness in the Christian life if we become circumstance oriented rather than Christ oriented. Worry over problems is a subtle rejection of God's sovereignty!
2. Obedience-Philippians 4:8, 9. Regardless of the circumstances of life, God has asked us to do one thing, to be obedient. God has not asked us to figure out a solution to our trials, but He has asked us to be obedient to His Word and then exercise faith in God through our obedience. This does not mean we just sit back and passively endure; rather, we are to commit ourselves to those things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely and good. As we submit our minds to the mind of Christ, we have the promise that "the God of peace shall be with you."
3. Opportunity-Philippians 4:7, 10. Take each worry or problem and accept it as an opportunity to glorify God. Keep in mind that anxiety over trials is a form of feeling sorry for yourself. My chief duty in life is to glorify Christ at any expense to my personal stature or comfort.
4. Ministry-Philippians 4:10-23. Involve yourself in the lives of others. The Apostle Paul found that the best way to stay Christ minded instead of self-minded is by living unselfishly for others. When we become people-oriented rather than self-oriented, obsession with personal problems is redirected from self to others, and ultimately to Christ (1 Cor. 10:13).
5. Grace-Philippians 4:13, 19. The love of God means that God has your best interests in mind, even in trial. Many Christians spend years worrying about whether they could endure a certain circumstance. God will not give you the strength to endure hardship beforehand. It is foolish to question one's courage to die as a martyr until the time actually comes! We create anxiety by worrying about a trial God hasn't asked us to endure, and may never ask of us. So relax and be confident of God's provision in every circumstance.
6. Surrender-Philippians 4:12-13. The goal of suffering is to bring us to the place where we surrender all that we have and are to the Lord. Once we have reached that place, God is now free to do what He wishes with our life. He may choose to heal us or take us home. To the surrendered believer, either is fine!
God wants to do far more than help us survive the rigors of life. He wants us to triumph onto maturity and a life of service. The message of Philippians 4 is that Jesus Christ becomes the believers strengt, sufficiency and life. Paul said to the Galatian believers, "I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me; and the life which I now life in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." As the believer learns to "lean" on the Lord, He becomes, for us, the sustaining strength that we need for any trail or experience.