The Gift of Suffering

                We normally do not think of suffering as a gift. A curse, perhaps; or a wage or punishment for wrongdoing; but seldom a gift. Most often we simply see suffering as something to be endured, even if we know that good may result. Yet the scriptures give us a different view of suffering. For example, in Phil 1.29, Paul says: “For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.”  Notice the word “granted.” The Greek is charizomai and has as its root the Greek charis, meaning gift or grace. The aspect of “gift” or “grace” is retained in charizomai, as seen, for example, in Rom 8.32 where it is translated "freely give us all things”  (cf. also 1 Cor 2.12). Hence we see that suffering is a gift, freely given to us by God. Although Paul is speaking of a particular kind of suffering--that is, persecution as a Christian—what he says applies to all kinds of suffering, even when that suffering is self-imposed or brought on us by God as a punishment.

                Of course, it never seems like a gift when we are in the midst of it. A gift suggests unmerited favor. Suffering suggests to us, perhaps, its opposite: undeserved penalty. When we receive a gift, we know we did not do anything to deserve it. When we suffer, we wonder what we did to deserve it. The Bible, however, turns our whole view of suffering on its ear. It teaches us everywhere that suffering is something to rejoice about (Mt 5.10-12; Lk 6.20-26; Jas 1.2-4; 1 Pet 1.6-10). So just what is there to rejoice about when we suffer? What is it that makes suffering a gift to rejoice over rather than a curse to stew over?

                First, suffering puts our faith to the test, giving us an opportunity to see what we are made of, to find out if our Christianity is genuine (1 Pet 1.7). Second, suffering changes our perspective, helping us to recognize life’s most important issues. Third, suffering strengthens us, producing in us endurance for even greater tests (Jas 1.2-4). Fourth, suffering humbles us, readjusting our overblown sense of importance (2 Cor 12.1-7). Fifth, suffering makes us more compassionate toward others, helping us to understand what they are going through (2 Cor 1.3-7). Sixth, suffering weakens us, making us less dependent on our selves and more dependent on God, which in turn strengthens us (2 Cor 12.7-10). Seventh, suffering warns us, telling us to examine our lives to see if there might, after all, be some reason we deserve it (1 Cor 11.30; Heb 12.5f). Finally, suffering is actually a sign of God’s righteous judgment, assuring us that he will one day bring justice and reward (Phil 1.28; 2 Thess 1.4-5). Try to imagine life without suffering, and you will envision a life without all these gifts.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                        © Randy Hohf