My friends because the world we live in is a fallen world, the one thing we all can count on is that we will experience sufferings and trials, disappointments, sickness, and even death. Hardly a list of pleasantries. Afflictions are just part of the package of being human. Suffering is just one of the manifestations of the fact that our world, because of sin, is broken and in need of restoration.
Knowing that we will suffer in this life for the non-Christian can be devastating since severe suffering usually leads to great despair and hopelessness. However, for the Christian, who understands that God can use suffering to bring about blessings, in both the short and long run, joy can run parallel with adversity.
Just consider what God says in (Romans 8:28): “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” If we are thinking biblically, then we understand that in all things, including suffering, God will work it for good. This knowledge is critical to help us grow through suffering rather than be destroyed by it. In fact, for the Christian, suffering is meant to be coupled with joy and blessings for we read in (James 1:2-4): “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” Suffering, for the Christian, is designed to help build character, and ultimately produce glory.
And when our suffering is specifically related to taking a stand for Christ our joy should be off the charts. Just listen to what we read in (Matthew 5:11-12): “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
No matter what type of suffering we go through, whether it is related to our taking a stand for Jesus, or just the normal trials that life brings our way, one of the greatest ways to understand why we can always rejoice in our suffering can be found in (Romans 8:18) which reads: “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”
(Romans 8:18) is one of those special Bible verses that can pull you through even the most difficult of times. Just look at what is implied in this verse. First, we see that present suffering is compared with endless glory. Second, sadness is contrasted with great joy. Third, despair is overshadowed by the hope that all Christians look forward to. And fourth, death can’t stand a chance against the certainty of eternal life for the believer. No wonder the Apostle Paul proclaims: “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” (2 Corinthians 4:17). The point he is trying to make is that while some of our suffering in this life can be very painful, in comparison to what awaits us in heaven, these afflictions are light and momentary. Not only that but what awaits us when we meet the Lord is an “eternal weight of glory.”
As a Christian we should view our present sufferings as a gateway to joy. And when we view suffering against the backdrop of the future glory that awaits us, we should echo the Apostle Paul’s sentiment that there really is no comparison.
I leave you with this challenge: take the next ten minutes and meditate on your future reward – an eternal weight of glory. I believe that when you do this your sufferings will pale in comparison!