Are You Suffering?

During the October 3, 2004 Sunday worship service, Pastor Nolan delivered a powerful sermon that made a strong impression on my heart. He said that a serving church is a suffering church.

That comment triggered many thoughts. Firstly, what is suffering and what does it entail? While driving to work one day, I heard a speaker on the radio talking about suffering. The speaker said that without suffering, there is no victory. Jesus is the best example of that. Without Jesus’ suffering and death on the cross, there would be no resurrection. Without resurrection, there would be no victory over sin and death. Therefore, because Jesus suffered, died, and resurrected, the salvation of the human race became possible. THAT is the ultimate victory of all. Therefore, without suffering, there is no victory.

This made me think about my life and whether I have been suffering for Christ. Am I doing God’s will? What is God’s will? Often times, I pray to God to reveal His will to me. But honestly, am I really praying for His will to be done, or am I asking to do my will and praying to God for His stamp of approval?

Discerning God’s will for us can be difficult, but I propose that doing God’s will is MUCH harder. Even Jesus faced that struggle. Knowing that “the hour is near and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners” (Matthew 26:45), Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethesame:

“My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” (Matthew 26:39).

In the gospel according to Mark, Mark records a further description of Jesus’ struggle:

“Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him.” (Mark 14:35)

Here, we see that Jesus, being fully human, experienced the same fears, reluctances, emotions, and temptations that each one of us faces. But being fully God, Jesus remained sinless and completely obedient to the Father.

To me, I think that is how God wants us to react. Although we are not sinless, and hence the need for Jesus in our lives, we are expected to be obedient. Therefore, despite our fear and reluctances to do God’s will, we are to be obedient and go forth and do it.

So, what this example tells me (and it’s my humble opinion only) is that if we know God’s will, it is okay for us to struggle with it; but ultimately, we must be obedient and do His will, no matter how uncomfortable or reluctant we may feel about it.

Perhaps that is what “suffering” means. We are to get out of our comfort zone and put ourselves in situations where Christ can be glorified through our actions. When we are out of our comfort zone, we are no longer relying on our own abilities. Instead, we are relying on God and His infinite abilities and faithfulness. That’s when we experience His greatness and wonderful love.

I know each individual’s interpretation of suffering will be different. Suffering may encompass a range of severity (from having to get up early Sunday morning to attend worship service to physical suffering and death for the name of Christ).

For me, suffering is to overcome my own fears, inhibitions and reluctances in doing God’s will. I am reminded that without suffering, there is no victory. As I call myself a follower of Christ, I only need to look at Jesus’ example and will know exactly how I need to respond. Obedience comes out of love, not out of obligation. Have I been an obedient servant? Have I suffered for Christ? What about you?