Today, I was thinking about sufferings.
For a long time, I resisted teachings that insinuated God causes our sufferings in this life. I only knew Him as a deliverer — at salvation, through a miraculous healing, and in my soul. I didn’t know Him as one that causes pain. And I still don’t.
However, we can’t just skip over scriptures that mention suffering as if they don’t exist. The Bible is God talking to us and His Word teaches, guides, corrects, and gives us help. It is an anchor in life. So what do these verses mean? And better yet, how can they help us?
Peter said, “May the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you” (1 Peter 5:10). I think this must be where people have mistakenly created a doctrine that God “causes” suffering to teach us something. But it doesn’t say that. Peter was talking about resisting the devil, and reminding us we are all in the same boat– no one is exempt from the onslaught of the enemy. “Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same suffering you are” (1 Peter 5:9, NLT). Peter is still talking about the “suffering” caused by Satan. And THEN he reminds us how God has called us to an eternal glory and will use these sufferings to “restore, support, strengthen… and place you on a firm foundation” (NLT).
As I was thinking about this, I thought about my 8-month old grandson Milo. His parents are trying to get him on a better sleep schedule and to do so, they’ve had to allow him to cry for awhile. Milo would prefer to be held all the time and sleep with mom and dad but his rest (and theirs) wouldn’t be as good as when he can have uninterrupted sleep. So they let him cry a while, then check on him to assure him they are nearby, and then they step out again, repeating this process little by little to help him.
God is our loving Father and He too, allows us to cry a little while. He’s always nearby. He never leaves us. But He “allows” (notice that’s very different from “causes”) us to “suffer awhile” that we might be perfected, established, strengthened, and settled.
I also thought of a plant. New seedlings need a little extra care (much like Milo when he was a newborn). But over time, the roots of the plant go deeper and get stronger so it can endure the elements, such as storms, wind, rain, and cold. And in extreme weather, our local news station will remind us to bring in those potted plants so they won’t die. Why? Because their roots are land-locked, meaning they don’t have the same opportunity to get good and anchored in the ground like other trees and plants.
Our spiritual lives are much like this. Jesus said storms would come. “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). He also said we have an enemy. “Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and [physical and mental strength and ability] over all the power that the enemy [possesses]; and nothing shall in any way harm you” (Luke 10:19, AMP). Notice he didn’t say it wouldn’t be a battle as you grow and strengthen your faith muscles. Jesus let us know believers have authority over all the power of the enemy, but until we grow and learn how to wield those weapons, it might feel like a season of helplessness (or suffering).
I can look back over my life and remember tough seasons. I can also testify that although I have ZERO desire to go back and re-live any of those times, I am grateful for what I learned through them and the strength I possess now because of them. And THIS is what Peter meant when he said, “May the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.”
So, “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding glory” (1 Peter 4:12-13).
I’ll close with this: I don’t like to work out because it’s too hard. Seriously, I’m just lazy when it comes to exercise. I don’t like “suffering” through it. BUT I know I need exercise. I understand I need to push my muscles so they will grow strong (and remain strong). Now think of this in a spiritual sense. Resistance (can we say sufferings?) causes growth– plain and simple.
So don’t give up. Don’t get discouraged. And don’t believe the lie that God is causing you harm. He’s a good Father and always has your best interest in mind. Always.
“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).
